Columbia Downtown Master Plan

Columbia, Missouri

Columbia is the home of the University of Missouri, located just south of downtown Columbia. Two other colleges add to the potential market strength and vibrancy of the downtown. Stephens College forms downtown’s entry from the east and Columbia College is on the north. While vibrancy is apparent, so is a lack of consistent urban design and a lack of certain commercial and residential facilities that would otherwise be expected in a college downtown.

Downtown officials sponsored a public charrette process to focus on the design and land use opportunities at Downtown’s eastern and western entry nodes. As part of the charrette, Development Strategies prepared a market analysis to demonstrate the potential for adding to and diversifying the downtown economy. The result is a highly implementable set of plans that would greatly improve the aesthetics of Downtown’s key entry points and increase both residential and economic activity. Development Strategies further recommended implementation actions.