Downtown Columbia Leaders Request Research for Potential 'Urban Camping' Ordinance
Leaders from Columbia's Downtown District, supported by nearly 80 downtown business owners, organizations, and University of Missouri System President Mun Choi, have formally requested the city to research a potential 'urban camping' ordinance. This request was submitted to city council members by the Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) at a recent meeting. CID Executive Director Nickie Davis expressed a desire for the ordinance to be finalized within a year, with research completed in the next six months. The proponents argue that such an ordinance would establish clear standards for enforcement and outreach, ensuring consistency for city staff, outreach workers, businesses, and residents. Currently, Columbia has an ordinance prohibiting individuals from blocking streets, alleys, or sidewalks without a parade permit, with violators facing a misdemeanor. A previous version of the request in July highlighted that existing ordinances are 'broad, and difficult to locate or interpret,' leading to con...