Downtown Columbia Update
Howard Hughes Corporation Plants More Pink Trees
The Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC) and Blossoms of Hope are joining forces once again to plant 100 pink-blossoming trees – 84 Kwansan Cherry and 16 Native Dogwood – in Downtown Columbia. HHC purchased the trees from Blossoms of Hope, a local nonprofit organization which raises funds to benefit the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center and other charities. The trees will be planted by Howard EcoWorks, a nonprofit with a mission to empower communities and diverse workforces to respect and restore natural systems for future generations.
“Columbia was originally designed as a ‘city in a garden,'” said Greg Fitchitt, Columbia President for HHC. “Our partnership with Blossoms of Hope has multiple benefits, not the least of which is contributing to that vision,” he added. The Howard Hughes Corporation has planted more than 2,600 trees in Howard County over the past four years as part of its commitment to plant 10,000 trees in Howard County over 20 years, Fitchitt said.
What’s Happening
Take advantage of good Autumn weather by checking out local restaurants’ outdoor dining and events scheduled by local organizations and businesses. Here are a few activities coming up soon.
Podcast In case you missed it, you might like to check out DTCRadio’s interview with Jeremy Dommu of The Merriweather Post. He and Downtown Columbia Partnership Executive Director Phillip Dodge discuss hyperlocal news, village boards and the New Cultural Center, which is among the subjects of the Howard County Council’s virtual Legislative Public Hearing on Oct. 19, 7 p.m. The New Cultural Center expands venue options for performing arts and is paired with multi-family housing, including affordable units, for Downtown Columbia. To express an opinion about approving funding for the project, send written testimony to County Council Chair Deb Jung at #ob#qwhat#at#ubjneqpbhaglzq.tbi#ob#.
Biking Enjoy safe, healthy fun outdoors at BikeAround Downtown, hosted by the Downtown Columbia Partnership on Oct. 24 and 25. The 7.8 mile course starts and ends in ColorBurst Park in the Merriweather District and moves along the paths in Downtown and the Village of Wilde Lake.
Prizes will be awarded to randomly selected registrants and from those who post pictures on social media. Wear a helmet, wear a mask and follow the rules of the road. Register to participate.
Fall Food Downtown Columbia Octoberfest is set for Sunday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 25, with two seatings, 3-5 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Cured and 18th & 21st socially-distanced patio along Little Patuxent Parkway. Octoberfest-inspired food (bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels and beer cheese, black forest cake) and craft beer will be featured. Reservations required with nominal fees donated to the Community Action Council. Call 667-786-7111.
Be Counted The deadline for responding to the 2020 Census has been extended to Oct. 31. For every Howard County resident not counted, the county loses out of $18,000 in federal funding.