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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</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;">August 13, 2020</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Ashlyn Sherman
<br />Marketing Specialist
<br />Community Relations/Public Works
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.441.5494
<br />Ashlyn.Sherman@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%;">Online interested parties meeting for enhanced fall protections, other self-harm deterrent measures at Fifth and Walnut parking garage scheduled for Aug. 17-31</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 Public Works Department is requesting public feedback regarding enhanced fall protection and other self-harm deterrent measures within the existing Fifth and Walnut Street parking structure. As part of the City’s public involvement process, and due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, Public Works is holding an online interested parties (IP) meeting from Monday, Aug. 17 to Monday, Aug. 31 at </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.como.gov/publicworks/enhanced-fall-protection-and-other-self-harm-deterrent-measures-within-fifth-and-walnut-parking-garage/">como.gov/publicworks/enhanced-fall-protection-and-other-self-harm-deterrent-measures-within-fifth-and-walnut-parking-garage/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since opening in 2011, individuals have used the Fifth and Walnut Street parking structure to cause self-harm. Due to these events, the City would like to explore options that may lower the chance that an individual would use the parking structure at Fifth and Walnut Street to attempt to cause self-harm in the future. These options include exceeding the requirements of the building code in effect at the time of the original design of the parking structure. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">As part of the engagement, the City is contracted with Walker Consultants to participate in community engagement sessions to review enhanced fall protection options, industry data and other relevant information.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Investment for this project is estimated at an initial $300,000, which will be paid from the Parking Utility Enterprise Fund.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The online comment period will run from Aug. 17 to Aug. 31. During this time, residents may review preliminary plans, contact Public Works staff with questions and comments and complete the IP Comment Form. After the interested parties meeting is complete, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">preliminary plans are then developed and presented to the City Council during a formal public hearing. Public comments are heard before a final discussion and/or vote is conducted by the Council. </span></p>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Public Works staff may be contacted via the City’s Contact Center at 573.874.CITY (2489) or via email at </span><a href="mailto:pubw@como.gov"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pubw@CoMo.gov</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The completed IP comment form may be submitted via email or mailed to the City of Columbia Public Works Department, 701 E. Broadway, Columbia, Missouri 65205. Please include "Fifth and Walnut" in the subject line.</span></div>
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<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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