Building Owners Face Tax Hike for Beautification of Downtown Columbia, Mo.

Byline: Dave Moore

Aug. 18--Downtown Columbia has survived sprawl and the mall.

Now, for the first time in 23 years, the owners of downtown buildings have agreed to raise the special business district tax rate to make improvements to refine the appearance of downtown and to head off any challengers coming down the road.

Between Elm Street and Ash Street, from Providence Road to Waugh Street, the district has largely supported the property tax increase, said Carrie Gartner, executive director of the Columbia Special Business District.

"It's a very small cost for a very important project downtown," Gartner said.

The permanent tax, …