Columbia City Council to weigh airport upgrades, other downtown projects

The Columbia City Council is preparing for a significant meeting where residents will have the opportunity to provide input on several key projects, including crucial amendments concerning data center regulation. Among the agenda items, the council plans to vote on measures designed to regulate data centers by defining their use, establishing specific zoning criteria, and determining appropriate construction locations within the city. Beyond data center policy, the council will consider substantial upgrades to Columbia Regional Airport. Proposed improvements include expanding the north parking lot by 250 spaces at an estimated cost of $3.2 million, adding a new passenger boarding bridge largely funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and local transportation taxes, and introducing a new kitchen and restaurant within the terminal. A $4.7 million deicing pad is also under consideration. Further items on the agenda include a feasibility study for the McKinney Building, which the city purchased in 2023. The proposed renovation aims to transform the historic building into a flexible cultural and community hub dedicated to mid-Missouri’s Black history. Additionally, council members will vote on funding the initial year of a Downtown Ambassador Program, an initiative costing $168,130 for the city, with contributions also expected from the University of Missouri.