Our Districts

The District, Downtown CID

The District is a live/work/play area with a true mix of activities. Although only 50-square blocks, The District boasts a number of different neighborhoods, all with their own distinctive character and feel. All are walkable and a coffee shop is never more than a block or two away from wherever you are.

The Strollway

The area centered around Broadway and Ninth was historically known as The Strollway, named because it was Columbia’s most popular promenade. Today, The Strollway blends tradition with the latest trends in food and fashion. Whether it’s shopping at locally owned gift stores and clothing boutiques on Broadway or discovering the eclectic mix of selection of stores, restaurants, and coffee shops on Ninth, the Strollway is everyone’s first—but not last—stop in The District.

After the removal of the concrete canopies along Broadway, property owners began restoring façades and renovating unused second stories. In fact, this area comprises the majority of our National Historic District. The zero lot lines, active ground floors, and sidewalk cafes all contribute to an authentic and exciting urban space.

Priorities in this area include maintaining a strong retail presence on both Ninth and Broadway, continuing the beautification of Broadway (including decorative sidewalks, brick crosswalks, and street trees), and creating gateways to welcome visitors into The District.

Residential space is often located in the upper stories of historic buildings and a walk through Alley A will reveal outdoor patios and rooftop gardens. Most of the new residential development is located on the south end of Tenth Street, adjacent to the University of Missouri, while the north end is home to a mix of homes, some of which house working art studios.

North Village Arts District

Historically known for it’s more bohemian atmosphere, the North Village is the place to find local artists at work—whether their medium is glass, oils, locally roasted coffee, or even whiskey. Or if you’re in the mood for entertainment, you can enjoy a jazz concert or attend a gallery walk. Property owners in this area and residents in the surrounding neighborhood have made a commitment to the arts and are currently recruiting artists to live and work in this neighborhood.

In 2007 the North Village became home to Orr Street Studios, a series of old warehouses converted to artist studios that served as a catalyst for the new arts district. Since then, more businesses have moved into the neighborhood to focus on the creative, the eclectic, and the local. The North Village is bordered by both Columbia College and Stephens College, and the campuses host a variety of live performances and art exhibits. The Stephens College Costume Museum is also within walking distance.

This area is a naturally occurring arts district, so priorities for this area include the continued support of property owners, businesses, and artists through advocacy and promotions. Also key for this area is the continued adaptive reuse of older buildings and strengthening the connection to the downtown core through an expansion of our beautification and wayfinding programs. As several large properties change uses, the goal will be to help develop new uses that complement the current activities in this area.

Flat Branch

Once an old warehouse district with little more than an abandoned rail line, Flat Branch is quickly becoming a popular area. Flat Branch now offers everything from restaurants to recreation to residential. Anchored on each side by Flat Branch Pub & Brewing and The Candy Factory, this area has seen significant growth on the restaurant and office front.

The area is also becoming the center for several major attractions, such as downtown’s newest park at the trailhead of the MKT. Bicyclists and hikers can now take KATY Trail’s MKT Spur right into The District for a day of shopping and dining. Tourists will also be drawn to the historic Blind Boone Home just across Broadway. The State Historical Society of Missouri boosts an art gallery, bookshop, and massive library in their beautiful space on Elm. Some mixed-use residential developments are also being proposed for this area.

Priorities in Flat Branch include increasing the pedestrian connection between Flat Branch and the downtown core—including the addition of sidewalks in areas with absent or inadequate sidewalks and the creation of a landscaped median and pedestrian crossing at Fourth & Broadway.

The Government District

Although short on housing, the Government District offers important services to both residents and employees by providing them with a one-stop spot for services.

While the historic core of The District is known for its red brick, this is the one area where the limestone buildings reflect MU’s neo-gothic white campus as much as its historic red campus.

The highlight of this area is Courthouse Plaza, created through the efforts of both public and private entities. Once a downtown thoroughfare, a block of Eighth Street was closed off and redesigned to create a gathering place in the shadows of the historic Columns. Recently renovated, the Plaza is a wonderful mix of public and private, work and play.

The Boone County Courthouse, the County Building and City Hall have all undergone expansion and renovation. Two other city buildings—the Gentry and the Howard Buildings—have been renovated as well to create a city “campus.” The fifth downtown parking garage at Fifth & Walnut was built to handle the increase in District workers.

Major building priorities in this area have been largely accomplished by both the city and the county but a clear need exists north of Broadway for businesses that cater to these office workers such as coffee shops, casual dining restaurants, and services. Large, government-owned surface lots may serve as future development areas.

Sharp end

Although only a few blocks within The District, this area was once part of the larger Sharp End, Columbia’s cultural heart for the Black community in the era before integration. It was home to a wide variety of Black-owned businesses mixing churches with bars and social clubs, schools, barbers, restaurants and retailers. It was sadly demolished, but evidence of the past is still evident through the Second Baptist Church and the home of ragtime great, John William “Blind” Boone.

The Sharp End has some light industrial space—it’s the home of the old Columbia Daily Tribune printing press—or for District residents and workers to get an oil change or rental car. The area also contains a significant amount of empty space, primarily in the form of parking lots.

This is an important redevelopment area and mixed-use infill and beautification projects would significantly change the western edge of The District. Providence has been upgraded with the removal of the 1970’s era pedestrian bridge and the addition of crosswalks, landscaping, and the Beulah Ralph Memorial.

A west gateway—beautifying the intersection of Broadway & Fourth—is a key priority in the Gateway project. Not only will this create a more welcoming entrance into The District, a pedestrian crossing that allows people to travel from Flat Branch Park and the MKT Trail across Broadway will also strengthen the connection between the Sharp End and the rest of The District.

Avenue of the columns

Flanked on each end by Columbia’s famous columns, the Avenue of the Columns is The District’s most promising project area. Home to numerous banks, university offices and government buildings, this section of Eighth Street is currently undergoing an exciting transformation. Property owners, with the help of the city, hired a design consultant to turn the Avenue of the Columns into an area that is vital, attractive and a sure draw for pedestrians.

Upgrades have begun on the corner of Eighth & Broadway with new sidewalk treatments, seating areas, and other decorative elements. In addition, MU has reworked the historic gateway from Eighth Street, creating a more attractive pedestrian pathway onto campus. Finally, the new Courthouse Plaza has been redesigned to create a strong visual connection between the Plaza and the street itself.

This is a key area for both residential and mixed-use developments. Much of the street is underutilized and the opportunity exists for infill projects that will offer needed residential space—and at least one project is in the works. As the residential base grows, the demand for businesses that focus on furniture, home accessories, specialty groceries, and basic services will grow as well.