Columbia’s Business Loop

Choi: Mizzou North is not suitable for occupancy; demolition to start this year

January 30, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Demolition of the Mizzou North building on Columbia’s Business Loop will begin sometime in 2023, according to UM System President Dr. Mun Choi (January 29, 2023 photo from 939 the Eagle’s Brian Hauswirth)

The UM System president says demolition will begin sometime this year at Mizzou North on Columbia’s Business Loop.

The now-empty building has asbestos issues, according to UM System President Dr. Mun Choi. He spoke to host Fred Parry on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.”

“And the building is not really suitable for occupancy. We have a number of organizations that approached us about the possible use of the building. The reason that we moved out of the building is that it is not suitable for continued long-term occupancy,” Dr. Choi says.

The UM Board of Curators approved the $10-million demolition plan in September. Dr. Choi tells listeners that demolition should be completed in early 2024. The building used to be the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center.

“We are exploring all options, whether to keep the land or perhaps use that for other purposes. But no decisions have been made about future use,” says Dr. Choi.

A 939 the Eagle reporter saw at least one open window at Mizzou North on Sunday. Mizzou North is near Rusk Rehabilitation Center and Bob McCosh Chevrolet. The back of Mizzou North is visible from I-70 in Columbia, near the Providence road exit.

Click here to listen to host Fred Parry’s full interview with UM System President Dr. Mun Choi on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.”

Choi: Mizzou North is not suitable for occupancy; demolition to start this year

January 30, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The UM System president says demolition will begin sometime this year at Mizzou North on Columbia’s Business Loop.

The now-empty building has asbestos issues, according to UM System President Dr. Mun Choi. He spoke to host Fred Parry on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.”

“We are exploring all options, whether to keep the land or perhaps use that for other purposes. But no decisions have been made about future use,” says Dr. Choi.

Click here to listen to host Fred Parry’s full interview with UM System President Dr. Mun Choi on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.”

Columbia’s homeless population to benefit from today’s event at downtown church

January 26, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The Wabash bus station is located at 126 North Tenth in downtown Columbia (August 31, 2021 file photo courtesy of city of Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen)

Columbia-area homeless residents have an opportunity this afternoon to receive free medical and dental screenings and meet with more than 20 community health and human services providers.

The Project Homeless Connect will take place from noon to 3 at Missouri United Methodist Church on 9^th street. It’s a one-stop event for the area’s unsheltered population.

Backpacks with basic need items will be provided, along with free hair cuts, blood pressure checks and free HIV testing. Free boxed lunches will also be provided.

Project Homeless Connect’s Facebook page describes it as a biannual event which seeks to connect Columbia’s homeless population.

There are efforts to build a new homeless shelter near Columbia’s Business Loop. Many homeless residents have been seen during the past year or so around the Wabash bus station downtown.

Columbia’s Business Loop needs city control to maintain proper infrastructure, DLC says

January 18, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s Business Loop is controlled by the state Department of Transportation (January 17, 2023 photo from 939 the Eagle’s Brian Hauswirth)

Columbia’s Downtown Leadership Council (DLC) wants to see the city assume control of the Business Loop from MoDOT, saying its appearance and lack of proper infrastructure make it a poor introduction to the city.

The Business Loop is considered a state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) street.

Columbia’s city council discussed a one-page letter from DLC chair Scott Wilson during Tuesday night’s meeting. The letter says the Business Loop corridor is also unsafe for pedestrians and bicyclists. Mr. Wilson says that’s problematic for surrounding neighborhoods where residents relay on alternative transportation. The DLC says the Business Loop’s sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signals are not a priority for state transportation officials.

The Downtown Leadership Council says because MoDOT prioritizes interstates and highways, the Business Loop has seen minimal investments over the years.

The Business Loop is a major gateway into Columbia and into downtown. The DLC describes it as a “major city street that fails to serve the needs of Columbians.”

Safety improvement recommendations coming soon for Columbia’s Paris road

November 23, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Motorists travel on Columbia’s Paris road (Route B), near Gerbes (July 2022 file photo courtesy of Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan)

A roadway safety audit continues on Columbia’s heavily-traveled Paris road, from Oakland Church road to the Business Loop.

Numerous safety complaints from 939 the Eagle listeners about the Paris Road and Vandiver intersection this summer helped prompt the roadway safety audit. Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) president Stacey Button says Route B is an important corridor, adding the safety concerns are important as well.

“I think the next steps in the process really are to evaluate what those observation days showed and then bringing in engineers and make some recommendations so that improvements can be made ultimately,” Button says.

Several 939 the Eagle listeners have called for Columbia to eliminate the flashing left turn light at Paris and Vandiver, following the July death of motorcyclist Mark Lamont.

Button spoke on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Round Table.” Click here to listen to the full interview.