COLUMBIA SPY

Friday, October 3, 2025

Restaurant Inspections – Columbia Borough – October 3, 2025

Starview Brews, 224 Locust St., Columbia, Sept. 25. Pass. Facility offering for sale two bags of Woodland All American Beef Jerky, which is not approved for wholesale. Product was removed from sale.

Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, complaint, Sept. 23. Pass. No violations.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Columbia Borough Council takes out $5 million mortgage on former McGinness property

The former McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street [File photo]

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Columbia Borough Council voted unanimously to take out a $5 million mortgage on the former McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street at its September 23 meeting.

The details
Council voted to approve two key ordinances at the meeting to finalize a loan package worth over $5 million from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Council passed Ordinance No. 963 of 2025, granting the Commonwealth Financing Authority a mortgage on the former McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street as collateral for a $5,028,030 loan through the state's Business in Our Sites (BIOS) Program. The mortgage will serve as security for the funding.

Council also approved Ordinance No. 964 of 2025, which amends Ordinance No. 962 from July 15, 2025 that had authorized the issuance of a general obligation note for the same $5,028,030 amount. The amendment removes language that referenced the anticipated sale of $1 million worth of the subject property by December 31, 2025.

The loan carries a 3% annual interest rate, with a penalty rate of 12.5% per annum on overdue amounts. The borough retains the right to make early payments on the loan without penalty.

Council hopes to pay back the loan by selling the property, although no potential buyers have been announced.

It's unclear whether council plans to sell the property as one tract or as individual lots when a $2.2 million soil stabilization project is completed in November.

Ordinance No. 963 of 2025

Ordinance No. 964 of 2025

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Columbia Borough breaks ground on Makle Park renovation project

State and local officials attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Makle Park Tuesday afternoon.
[Photo: Submitted]

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

State and local officials helped kick off a major improvement project for Makle Park at a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

The project is Phase 1 of improvements that include resurfacing the park's basketball courts, resurfacing the parking lot with new pavement and striping, constructing a picnic pavilion, and installing a prefabricated restroom. Also included are new benches, trash receptacles, picnic tables, and bike racks.

The improvements are primarily funded through a state Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant, with a matching contribution from the borough.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Underground Railroad Presentation at Watch & Clock Museum Draws 100

Brad Chambers hosted the presentation "Underground Abolition" at Columbia's National Watch & Clock Museum on Sunday evening.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Columbia's National Watch & Clock Museum was the backdrop Sunday evening for “Underground Abolition," a symposium focused on Columbia's role in the Underground Railroad.

The event was organized and sponsored by Columbian Brad Chambers, a 2026 candidate for Pennsylvania State House. About 100 people assembled to learn about the history of the Underground Railroad and its connection to Columbia.

Columbia Borough Councilwoman Barbara Fisher read a proclamation designating September 2025 as Underground Railroad Month in Columbia.

Columbia Borough Councilwoman Barbara Fisher kicked off the proceedings by reading a proclamation declaring September 2025 as "National Underground Railroad Month in the Borough of Columbia." The proclamation noted that the Underground Railroad "played a significant role in the eradication of slavery in the United States and became a cornerstone for a more comprehensive civil rights movement that followed."

Local historian Cindy Beaston explained why September was chosen as “International Underground Railroad Month.”

Local historian Cindy Beaston explained that September is “International Underground Railroad Month” because it's the month that Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas found freedom in the North. Beaston noted that Columbia's network of tunnels aided escaped slaves in their journey to freedom.

The Mt. Zion AME Church choir provided musical interludes.

Throughout the event, the Mt. Zion AME Church choir provided musical interludes with songs of faith and freedom.

Professor emeritus Leroy Hopkins spoke about the Black community's role in the Underground Railroad.

Professor emeritus Leroy Hopkins spoke about the Black community's role in the Underground Railroad. “The Underground Railroad's not possible without the Black community,” he said. He noted that African-American entrepreneurs Stephen Smith (who owned a successful business in Columbia) and William Whipper played pivotal roles.

Reverend Dr. Patricia McAllister: "As we look to the future together, we must dismantle the evil systems of this world.” [Columbia Spy file photo]

Reverend Dr. Patrcia McAllister senior pastor at the Mt. Zion AME Church, spoke about social justice. “We can't change what happened in the past, but we can change what we do moving forward," she said. "As we look to the future together, we must dismantle the evil systems of this world.”

The program concluded with the audience holding hands and joining the choir in song.