Columbia’s Daily Dish (May 13, 2009)

A smattering of links about Columbia’s growth and development.

• Boundary talks slow downtown improvement district plans (CM) — Despite months of organizing and meetings, plans to combine downtown’s two governing associations into a Community Improvement District are still up in the air.

• Downtown patrol takes aim at crime (CDT) — The Columbia Police Department has formed a new six-officer unit to concentrate on downtown, focusing on everything from vagrancy and graffiti to traffic and underage drinking.

• Boone County tries new system to stem flow of storm water (CDT) — New technology to reduce storm-water runoff was demonstrated this morning on the Courthouse Square as engineers and developers interested in a pending storm-water control ordinance looked on.

• Shelter works up wish list for makeover (CDT) — As experienced volunteers who also serve as foster parents for stray dogs, Patrick and Mary Kurtz know firsthand the multitude of improvements needed at the Central Missouri Humane Society. The Kurtzes and about 35 others interested in the future of the shelter met last night at a town-hall meeting the humane society hosted to create a wish list of shelter improvements. The list of more than 30 ideas included better surgical facilities, isolation rooms for sick animals, soundproofing, a cat atrium, upgraded washers and dryers, more bathrooms and skylights.