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<img src="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/policelogo.png" alt="Police Department" width="98" height="121" style="float: right; margin-right: 0px; margin-left:20px;">
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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">March 5, 2020</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brittany Hilderbrand
<br />Community Relations Specialist/Public Information Officer
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.817.5049
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City of Columbia invites community to attend the groundbreaking for Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center, March 16</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City of Columbia and Columbia Police Department invites the community to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center, 1204 International Drive, on Monday, March 16, at 9:30 a.m. </span></p>
<p> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The Center, named in honor of fallen CPD Officer Molly Thomas Bowden, will be comprised of 24,539 square feet which includes office space, a lobby, reception area, community meeting room, department meeting room, specialized storage, locker rooms and fitness center. The second floor will serve as a shell space for future development. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center is an important symbol that recognizes those who protect and serve us every day," said Mayor Brian Treece. "Officer Molly Bowden served our community with dignity and sacrifice."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new police facility was approved by voters in 2015 as a capital improvement project.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">total project cost is $9.690 million and is funded through the 2015 Capital Improvement Sales Tax. The total cost for building construction is $7.614 million.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Molly was a good person who cared about people. She was a good police officer who focused on making this community a safer and better place," said Chief Geoff Jones. "Throughout her life, she brought people together and helped mend relationships and solve problems. This building, in her name, is a testament to her and her legacy." </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Through the City of Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program, Missouri artist Beth Nybeck was selected to create a sculpture that will be installed outside of the new center after its construction. The Percent for Art program allocates 1% of new city construction or renovation project costs to be used for site-specific public art.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"This neighborhood policing center will be a new home that will bring officers closer to the community they serve," said Treece. "And as the first police building named after a policewoman, it is also a tangible reminder to make sure our police department reflects the diversity of our community."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The building will be constructed by Professional Contractors and Engineers of Columbia. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in Spring 2020. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Note: The groundbreaking will occur north of Moser’s Foods and south of CenterPointe Hospital on International Drive. Guests are encouraged to carpool and to park alongside Edenton Blvd.</span></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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