Albatwitch Day is coming to Columbia October 12

Join us on October 12, 2019 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM for Albatwitch Day, Pennsylvania's little Bigfoot at Columbia Crossing in Columbia, PA. Music, Lectures, Vendors, Food, Ghost Tour, Trolley Tour and more. Lectures on crypto creatures with Jenn Mitchell, John G Sabol Jr. Timothy Renner, and Rick Fisher with Special Guest Jack Hubley, "Creatures Beyond the Back Door". Live music by Doomwatch 13, Fever & The Thrill, Hot Mess, Pain!, Offensive, Stone Blood Creeps and The Swamp Thumpers. Variety of music for the whole family from easy listening to Punk. Games for the kids, food provided Roses Deli N More. Lectures and music are free. Vendor space is still available.

Tee-shirts: $15.00 (available at Albatwitch Registration Table

Chiques Haunted Trail Tour tickets available by calling (717)572-7149, www.eventbrite.com or at Albatwitch Day Registration table. 90 tickets available at $10.00 per person/ 30 visitors per tour

Time(s): 6:00PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM (Meet 15 min. prior to tour)

Albatwitch Trolley Tours $5.00 per person 30-40 minute tour, tickets available at the Albatwitch Registration table from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Please follow the trolley signs for boarding

Thanks again for your support,
Christopher A. Vera

Director/ Columbia Historic Preservation Society.
PO Box 578
Columbia, Pennsylvania 17512
(717)572-7149 (C)
(717)684-2894 (M)

Columbia Borough Council accepts grant to be used toward Market House

Council voted unanimously to accept a $1.75 million state grant to be used toward renovations to the Columbia Market House and parking improvements in the downtown area. The borough is also hoping to secure a $1.2 million federal grant to help fund streetscape improvements on Locust and Walnut streets, between the Columbia Riverfront Park and the area near the market.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-borough-council-accepts-grant-to-be-used-toward-market/article_f0501932-ca59-11e9-9c53-73c4bbf85faa.html

Columbia Borough Seeks to Spur Private Investment in Downtown by Building on Existing Assets | ULI Philadelphia

ULI Philadelphia released its Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Report, summarizing recommendations to effectively spur private investment within Columbia Borough's central business district, provide adequate parking options to support commercial activity, and enhance urban connectivity through placemaking and public space enhancements. The report concludes a study comprised of a two-day convening of real estate professionals, urban planners and other experts, as well as interviews with key stakeholders.

MORE:

https://philadelphia.uli.org/columbia-borough-seeks-to-spur-private-investment-in-downtown-by-building-on-existing-assets/

Download the full report HERE.

Making a shooting gesture with hand a crime, court finds in ruling against Manor Twp. man

Making a shooting gesture at a person with one's hand can be a crime, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday in upholding a Manor Township man's conviction.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/making-a-shooting-gesture-with-hand-a-crime-court-finds/article_d8e216bc-c9df-11e9-bf6b-7f53f0033671.html

Nifty Needles at the Library Thursday, August 29

Note posted with permit claims HARB changes policy, urges HARB to help residents

Zoning permit, note and other information displayed at 401 Walnut Street

The photograph above shows a zoning permit with an accompanying note and other information that was posted recently in a window at 401 Walnut Street, a property in the borough's historic district. (Also posted is an Application for HARB Review.)  As the note states, the permit does not display a pink dot - indicating the proposed renovations were not reviewed by the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB). The note also states that the pink dot "has been eliminated" and will be replaced with a pink placard. However, no such changes were discussed at any recent HARB meeting. A pink placard is typically posted at a property to announce an upcoming HARB review.

Close-up showing the zoning permit and note at 401 Walnut Street

Example of a pink placard indicating changes to be reviewed by HARB

The note also suggests that HARB should lobby for grants to help residents defray the costs of HARB demanded repairs. However, Don Murphy, the name entered on the permit as the applicant, is not a Columbia resident.

At this point, it is unclear who wrote the note.

The additional information posted in the window is not required by the borough to be displayed.

Example of a zoning permit with a pink dot. The pink dot indicates that changes were reviewed by HARB.

Recently, several complaints have been aimed at HARB regarding inconsistent enforcement of ordinances related to properties in the historic district. Zoning and Planning Officer Jeff Helm is charged with enforcing these types of ordinances within the historic district. HARB is a recommending body and does not pass or enforce ordinances.

Entries being accepted for Columbia Mardi Gras Parade - Theme is "Animal Adventures"