About
History
For over 30 years, the Columbia Special Business District and the Central Columbia Association worked together to promote The District and increase its economic vitality. These organizations recruited new businesses, hosted events, and marketed The District to investors. They also worked to replace aging sidewalk amenities, created a wayfinding systems for visitors, organized the removal of the Broadway canopies, and encouraged historic preservation projects. In 2011, these two entities merged to create a single organization, the Downtown Community Improvement District (CID).
By 2012, voters had approved of both a property assessment and a sales tax that would be reinvested into downtown projects. As before, we continue our focus on beautification, streetscape, enhancements, economic development, clean and safe programs, marketing, and communications.
Our Working Committees
The District’s board members are all part of a least one of the six working committees.
Executive: Meets every 1st Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm
Wayfinding Workgroup: Meets on 3rd Tuesday of each month at 2pm
Night Life: Meets on 3rd Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm
Operations: Meets every 3rd Thursday of each month at 3:30pm
Parking Sub-Committee: Meets on 4th Tuesday of each month at 2pm
Economic Marketing: Meets every 4th Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm
Search & Review: Meets as needed
All meetings are posted 24 hours in advance of the meeting and occur in The District office unless otherwise specified. Board meetings occur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 3:3-pm and the Annual Board Retreat Meeting is held the 2nd Tuesday of February
How We Do it
The CID wants to keep the District clean, safe, beautiful, and top of mind! Our 15-member board of directors represents a variety of populations and interested parties in our District. Our six committees and staff work hard to make the District the best place to be. All meetings are posted in our calendar with a minimum of 24 hours notice. All Board and Committee meetings are open to the public.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of every month at 3:30pm to hear from our partners in various departments at the City (including CPD), listen to comments and concerns from the public, receive updates from each committee, and discuss current projects and events.
Operations Committee
Our Operations Committee meets the third Thursday of every month at 3:30pm to work on projects relating to development and maintenance, lighting, cleanliness, safety, landscaping, signage, and other areas of beautification and logistics.
Economic Development
Our Economic Development Committee meets the third Tuesday of every month at 3:30pm to focus on business recruitment, retention, business services, solid waste, public art, and public safety.
Marketing Committee
Our Marketing Committee meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm to create new marketing tools, manage events, divide advertising among medias, holiday decor, and curate the overall image of the District.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee meets the first Tuesday of every month at 3:30pm to decide what items are ready to go back to the full board, creates the board agenda, and focuses on planning.
Search & Review Committee
Our Search and Review Committee meets as needed to recruit, nominate, and train new board members and staff. They also review staff relations, procedures, and performance.