<p class="MsoNormal" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dear Interested Party/Stakeholder,</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The City of Columbia Community Development Department invites you to attend an informational meeting and provide input on the 2012 Sidewalk Master Plan update.</span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Drop-in informational meetings will be held from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM on:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.75in;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">         </span></span><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Monday, September 10, 2012 – The ARC (1701 W. Ash St.)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.75in;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">         </span></span><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, September 12, 2012 – City Hall (701 E. Broadway- Rm. 1B</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">)</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Sidewalk Master Plan sets forth a public input process to prioritize sidewalk projects where gaps exist. The plan helps the City identify projects to apply for grant funding and prioritize capital improvement funding.  </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Over the last few months, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission has worked with City staff to identify completed/funded projects, add and remove projects, and revise the scope of projects as appropriate. Of the 48 projects listed on the 2007 Sidewalk Master Plan, nine projects are either underway or complete, most funded with GetAbout Columbia (non-motorized pilot program federal funds).  There are currently 39 projects proposed for the 2012 plan update.</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">At this time, the public is invited to review and comment upon the potential project list for the 2012 Sidewalk Master Plan Update. Review materials, including the proposed project list and maps (both PDF and Google Earth), are available at: <a href="http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/community_development/planning/sidewalks/index.php" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">www.gocolumbiamo.com/community_development/planning/sidewalks/index.php</a></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">This link also contains a <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SidewalkMP12" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">survey</a> where the public can recommend projects to be added, removed, or changed in scope. <b>Public input will accepted at the drop-in informational meetings and/or through the online survey until Friday, September 14, 2012 at 5:00 PM.</b> The Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission will review the public input at their September 19, 2012 meeting. It is anticipated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission will forward an updated plan and recommended project list to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council for additional public input in late 2012.   </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please call <a href="tel:573-874-7239" value="+15738747239" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">573-874-7239</a> should you have questions. Your input is greatly appreciated as we work to make the City of Columbia safer and more walkable.</span></p>
<div><br></div>-- <br><div>Rachel Bacon, AICP</div>
<div>Planner</div>
<div>City of Columbia</div>
<div>Department of Community Development</div>
<div>573-817-5006</div>
<div><a href="http://www.columbiaimagined.com/" target="_blank">www.columbiaimagined.com</a></div><br>