Columbia city manager De’Carlon Seewood is celebrating his second anniversary on the job. He became city manager in January 2022. Mr. Seewood joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. Mr. Seewood, who has 28 years of experience in local government, grew up in East St. Louis Illinois, before moving to Kansas City at the age of 12. He graduated from Kansas City’s Rockhurst University, before earning his master’s degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He began his career in mid-Missouri’s Osage Beach, before moving to Fulton, Ferguson and Berkeley and then to Columbia. Mr. Seewood and Fred focused on numerous topics during the show, including his hiring of new Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude and the current CPD restructuring. Mr. Seewood tells listeners that the overwhelming majority of citizens he’s heard from who served on interview panels and who attended forums are pleased with Chief Schlude’s hire. Mr. Seewood also addressed January’s brutal cold weather and its impact on Columbia’s homeless population. He says Room at the Inn (RATI) traditionally saw about 70 guests prior to the cold spell and that once temperatures dropped to single digits, they reached capacity of 85. Mr. Seewood says no one was turned away and that anyone who wanted shelter received it. Columbia’s Room at the Inn (RATI) is now in the former VFW Post 280 building on Ashley street. It’s located near the city’s municipal power plant:
UPDATE: DLR Group chosen as consultant for Mizzou’s north concourse improvement project at Faurot
Kansas City-based DLR Group has been chosen as the architect/engineering consultant for Mizzou’s Memorial Stadium north concourse improvement project in Columbia.
The UM board of curators met this morning and voted to approve the DLR Group’s selection. The consultant will be tasked with conducting a study to develop an improvement plan for Memorial Stadium that furthers the brand and reputation for Mizzou and Mizzou Athletics.
Mizzou officials envision a project design that maintains Faurot Field views and contains premium seating and a variety of improved and modernized food and beverage concessions. Mizzou officials also envision the preservation of the Rock “M” in the north end zone, a team recruiting room and a new and enhanced north end zone scoreboard.
New scoreboard and Rock “M” preservation are key components of Mizzou’s planned north concourse improvements
We’ll learn more details this morning about the highly-anticipated improvement project planned for Mizzou’s Memorial Stadium north concourse area in Columbia.
The UM board of curators meets this morning at 8, and they’re expected to approve the selection of Kansas City-based DLR Group as the architect/engineering consultant for the project. The consultant will be tasked with conducting a study to develop an improvement plan for Memorial Stadium that furthers the brand and reputation for Mizzou and Mizzou Athletics.
Mizzou officials envision a project design that maintains Faurot Field views and contains premium seating and a variety of improved and modernized food and beverage concessions. Mizzou officials also envision the preservation of the Rock “M” in the north end zone, a team recruiting room and a new and enhanced north endzone scoreboard.
“Wake Up Mid-Missouri” producer Adkisson honored as part of 30 Under 30
The “Missouri Times” publication has recognized 939 the Eagle “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” producer Hannah Adkisson and 29 others as their 30 under 30 honorees. The 30 were recognized during a Monday evening event at the Missouri Soybean Association in Jefferson City.
The 23-year-old Adkisson is a Centralia native. She produces and is a key component of the popular “Wake Up” program, interacting with some of the biggest names in Missouri politics and getting them ready for live interviews on the show.
Hannah graduated from Centralia high school and earned her degree from Mizzou in Agriculture Sciences. 29 others were also honored last night at the Missouri Soybean Association’s new facility on Country Club drive. Many are state legislative aides, while others work for various officeholders. Some work for lobbying firms and others for commodity groups in Jefferson City.
(LISTEN): Columbia Mall adding Rally House; looking to add new restaurants
While a number of malls around the nation are dying, Columbia Mall is adding stores and is currently at 90 percent of where it was before the COVID pandemic.
That was the message from Columbia Mall general manager Rusty Strodtman to area business leaders and elected officials on Wednesday. Mr. Strodtman says Columbia Mall had $150-million in sales last year.
“About $12-million is the sales tax collected. Obviously about half (of) that stays here locally. So that’s a big number to consider that that goes to our schools, our police departments, our roads, a lot of things that we live on and deal with everyday,” Strodtman says.
Mr. Strodtman briefed the Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) board of directors. He says the mall now has 80 stores, and he’s especially pleased with the success of Level Up. Strodtman also announced that downtown Columbia’s popular Rally House will open its second Columbia store this fall. He tells 939 the Eagle that Rally House will be located across from Victoria’s Secret inside the mall.
“It’s going to be open before the holiday season, so we’re excited about them. Now you can get your Cardinals wear, your Mizzou gear and so we’re very excited about having Rally House join us,” says Strodtman.
Mr. Strodtman says Rally House will take possession of its new mall store in September. Rally House also carries Kansas City Chiefs and Royals gear, St. Louis Blues gear and Stephens College Stars gear.
Columbia Mall has also invested more than $5-million into its parking lot in the past few years. Strodtman says while it’s a ton of money, it’s critical to do.
“Unfortunately it’s a lot of money but it just scratches the surface. We have about a $20-million parking lot, so we’ve got a ways to go. But, that’s a very important thing for us because that’s a huge factor to make it easy and safe for our guests (to) come and go,” Strodtman says.
He notes Columbia Mall was built in 1985 and that’s replacing infrastructure like a roof, signs and other things are essential.
Another issue that came up during Mr. Strodtman’s presentation was dining. He tells the audience that the mall currently has the food court, Panera Bread and a Wendy’s. Strodtman would like to see a restaurant where you can take a date. 939 the Eagle listener Megan Potter and others are weighing in on this issue on 939 the Eagle’s Facebook page. Ms. Potter would like to see a Cheesecake Factory and an In-N-Out at Columbia Mall.
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