Columbia Association

Columbia Association
Type Not for profit
Founded
Headquarters Columbia, Maryland, United States
Membership Individuals and companies
Budget $74.1 Million (2015)[1]
Number of Members 100,000+
Founder
Chairman Emeritus
Chairman of the Board/CEO Milton Matthews
Board Reginald Avery - Oakland Mills
Board Chao Wu - River Hill
Board Brian Dunn - Kings Contrivance
Board Lin Eagan - Town Center
Board Alan Klein - Harper's Choice
Board Nancy McCord - Wilde Lake
Board Dick Boulton - Dorsey's Search
Board Gregg Schwind - Hickory Ridge
Board Andrew Stack - Owen Brown
Board Janet Evans- Long Reach
Website http://www.columbiaassociation.com/

The Columbia Association (CA) is a management organization for the financing, and maintenance of common-use facilities of the Rouse Company planned development of Columbia, Maryland. CA has 260 full-time employees, 800 part-time year-round employees and 150 to 500 seasonal employees.

Organizational structure

The CA was originally named The Columbia Park and Recreation Association, Inc. The association was responsible for developing public amenities, transportation systems, snow removal, and landscaping promised in its application for New Town Zoning.[2] The funding for the association would be provided by a combination assessment and use-fee's.[3]

The seven man CA board was originally staffed with representatives of the development company with James Rouse as president. The association developed a "one lot" - "one vote" system, with which gave the majority of control to the Rouse Company. Control of the association to residents was planned in phases spanning until 1980. In 1967, 285 residents were able to establish a 5-person council in Wilde Lake, which in turn would provide the first elected board member.[4] In February 1966 Jack Slayton, the city manager of Vancouver, Washington was hired by the Community Research and Development subsidiary of the Rouse Company becoming Columbia's first resident. He died suddenly in 1967 and was replaced with John Levering from Monumental Life Insurance Company to manage the town.[5] Levering left the company to form an art studio "The Eye of the Camel" in a historic Oakland Manor stone house where Vantage house stands today. Padraric Kennedy managed the CA for 25 years before leaving for Boise Cascade's low income housing unit.[6]

The CA originally planned on self-sufficiency of county funding of Fire services as its own taxing authority. In 1968, the CA negotiated with the county commissioners to pay for and build the Banneker Fire station and charge an assessment to residents to pay for the equipment. Howard County remained responsible for all continuing capitol and operating expenses afterward.[7] The association agreed to pay $168,000 in matching HUD funds for a $416,600 study to investigate driverless automated bus services for Columbia.[8]

By 1970, the CA had grown to 5500 members, three five member village boards with a $1.5 million budget and $5.75 million in debt. The budget switched from company eyes only, to a publicly viewable budget without public input. Three additional Rouse managed neighborhood shopping centers were funded for construction with CA funds.[9]

In 1982, the association created the Columbia Archives non-profit organization. The organization is managed by the CA board of directors with a mission to chronicle documents relating to Columbia from the CA, James Rouse, The Rouse Company, General Growth Properties, Howard Hughes Corporation and Howard County. The organization is public relations resource for Columbia, selecting and displaying historic artifacts that place the development in a positive light.[10][11]

Facilities

See also

References

  1. ↑ "CA FY 2015 Budget". Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Joseph Rocco Mitchell, David L. Stebenne. New City Upon a Hill. p. 82.
  3. ↑ "Columbia Post Filled". The Baltimore Sun. 27 February 1966.
  4. ↑ "ELECTION DUE AT COLUMBIA: Residents Association Vote To Be Held February 13". The Baltimore Sun. 22 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Levering To Head Group". The Baltimore Sun. 21 May 1967.
  6. ↑ Joseph Rocco Mitchell, David L. Stebenne. New City Upon a Hill. p. 91.
  7. ↑ Peter C. Muncie (21 August 1968). "FIRE HOUSE TO BE BUILT: County, Columbia Agree On Financing". The Baltimore Sun.
  8. ↑ Peter C. Muncie (21 June 1968). "GRANT GIVEN TO COLUMBIA: U.S. Provides $277,733 For Transportation Study". The Baltimore Sun.
  9. ↑ Louis P. Peddicord (29 December 1969). "Who Rules Columbia Is Question For 1970's". The Baltimore Sun.
  10. ↑ "HOWARD COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: CRIME WATCH COLUMBIA ELLICOTT CITY GLENWOOD HIGHLAND LAUREL SAVAGE COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION AGENDA HOME SALES SCHOOL BOARD ACTIONS HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AGENDA Ellicott City BUILDING PERMITS FIRES LISBON WEST FRIENDSHIP WASHINGTON AREA FIRES IN 1987". The Washington Post. 2 June 1988.
  11. ↑ "Stowing Away Columbia's Short History: Columbia Archives Traces History as It's Being Made". The Washington Post. 16 June 1988.
  12. ↑ "Howard farm development vote asked". The Baltimore Sun. 9 August 1978.
  13. ↑ "Majewski Named Pro At Hobbit's Glen Club". The Baltimore Sun. 15 November 1966.
  14. ↑ Luke Lavoie (7 November 2014). "Howard Planning Board tables decision on Columbia arts park". The Baltimore Sun.
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