[Press Release] : New Neighborhood Services Office to open January 4

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Leigh Britt, Manager, Neighborhood Services - (573) 874-7504

New Neighborhood Services Office to open January 4

COLUMBIA, MO (December 30, 2009) - The city of Columbia’s new Office
of Neighborhood Services will open on Monday, Jan. 4, at 3601 South
Providence Road, formerly Fire Station 7. The City Council approved the
office as part of the city’s FY 2010 budget to better address code
enforcement issues, strengthen neighborhoods and connect those efforts
with volunteers. 

The new agency will be responsible for the city’s rental inspection
program; residential property maintenance code enforcement; enforcement
of residential health codes in sections of central Columbia and with
chronic violators; the neighborhood recognition program; graffiti
removal; and the city’s volunteer program. The office also will
collaborate with the Columbia Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch
and Crime Free Multi-Housing programs. 

Neighborhood Services Manager Leigh Britt said that the new agency will
support quality residential life. “By bringing together existing city
staff under one roof, we’ll be better able to efficiently help
residents and address problems. This is our common, unifying goal.”

Ten current employees from six departments will staff the Office of
Neighborhood Services, bringing 114 years of experience with the city.
Staff members include the neighborhood response coordinator, a police
officer, an environmental health specialist, three building inspectors,
an administrative support assistant, a city prosecutor and a volunteer
program assistant. 

Britt said that the agency’s tools include enforcement, citizen
education and volunteer opportunities. “Each of these elements has
been in place, but bringing them together will strengthen these
programs. For example, code enforcement previously done by three
different departments can now be handled in one place with the goal of a
quick response and solution,” Britt said. 

The Office of Neighborhood Services will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Staff can be reached at 817-5050 or at
neighborhood at GoColumbiaMo.com. More information is online at
www.GoColumbiaMo.com. 

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