As enrollment grows, Columbia College looks to the future

Columbia Missourian

COLUMBIA — Columbia College is making changes after an increase in enrollment in 2016.

The Planning and Zoning commission unanimously approved an updated master plan proposal submitted by the college on Thursday. The plan includes construction of new buildings, expansions and renovations to existing structures, and a few demolitions, according to the staff report presented to the commission. 

The updated plan will now be presented to the Columbia City Council for approval.

The improvements will allow Columbia College to accommodate the 13 percent increase in students in 2016 and will build off the original 2013 master plan, according to the report. 

"Every project on that list has to do with enrollment and giving students more opportunities to learn and to have a good place to sleep and to eat and to recreate," said Cliff Jarvis, Columbia College executive director of plants and facilities operations.

Columbia College has been adding new amenities and features such as sports and improved grounds. 

"It's an awesome place to go to school," Jarvis said. "There's just a different feel on campus." 

These are likely not the only changes in store for Columbia College. In March, the council agreed to transfer ownership of Pannell Street, and a bill was introduced that would replat 24 lots of college property and combine them into one.  

The transfer would allow Columbia College to maintain the appearance of the street leading into its athletics facilities, Jarvis said.

"Over time, as our budget allows, we'll be able to widen the street to better accommodate traffic flow and make aesthetic improvements to that street," he said.

The replat would make it easier for Columbia College to make improvements on campus without dealing with individual zoning requirements for each lot, Jarvis said. 

"Current city code won't allow you to put a building across a lot line," he said. "Now, by being one larger lot, those lot lines don't carry the same restrictions as they did before we replatted." 

Columbia College held meetings with the North Central Neighborhood Association to hear feedback regarding the plan, said Jarvis.

"The neighborhood was overwhelmingly positive to (Jarvis') presentation," Planning and Zoning Commissioner Michael MacMann said during the commission meeting. MacMann was at the presentation.

Columbia College doesn't have any current plans for the new, bigger lot, Jarvis said. 

"We haven't developed any solid plans," he said. "(The council vote) is the first hurdle we needed to get over before we start and get serious about project development."

The updates to the Columbia College master plan, which was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, include: 

• A new academic and residential hall north of Brown Hall. It will be a multi-story, mixed-use facility that will not exceed six stories.

• An expansion of Dulany Hall to expand campus dining services

• New parking lot construction north of Wilkes Boulevard

• Parking lot expansion near Hughes Hall

• Repurpose and renovation of the Plant and Facilities Operations building

• Expansion and renovation of the Wightman Building

• Demolition of two single-family homes

According to the staff memo to the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the project.