Save the date: Experts to discuss enhancing Columbia’s older neighborhoods on Oct. 25

Columbia’s 50th Birthday hasn’t just been about celebrating the past, but about imagining the future as well. An important part of that is to focus on the community’s older neighborhoods, many of which dates back several decades.

What are the needed policies and tools to help these neighborhoods remain attractive and economically vibrant? Columbia Association’s (CA) next Community Building Speakers Series event seeks to answer this question.

“Enhancing Columbia's Neighborhoods: Learning from Best Practice” will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7pm at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. Advance registration is not required but is appreciated. Register online at ColumbiaAssociation.org/speakers.

The event will feature Paul Brophy and Mark Sissman, two noted experts with deep roots in Maryland, to help frame both the challenges and the opportunities for renewing older neighborhoods. These neighborhoods still offer a good quality of life and are more affordable — but may be in danger of decline unless steps are taken to improve investment conditions. Brophy and Sissman will discuss best practices to address the community’s aging housing stock and sustain strong neighborhoods.

Brophy is a principal with Brophy & Reilly LLC, an Ellicott City-based consulting firm specializing in economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and the management of complex urban redevelopment projects. Prior to consulting, Mr. Brophy served in city government and also served as past president and co-CEO of the Enterprise Foundation, founded by Jim and Patty Rouse. Brophy has worked with community groups and local governments around the nation to improve communities and neighborhoods.

Brophy has been a senior adviser to numerous universities and organizations and is currently an adjunct professor at Georgetown University's School of Urban and Regional Planning. He is co-author/editor of four books: On the Edge: America's Middle Neighborhoods (2016); Neighborhood Revitalization: Theory and Practice (1975); Housing and Local Government (1982), and A Guide to Careers in Community Development (2001).

Sissman is the president of Healthy Neighborhoods, a Baltimore community development nonprofit organized by financial and philanthropic institutions to improve selected neighborhoods through a number of programs and services. Results have included higher sales prices, growing investment in home remodeling and increased levels of community involvement in these neighborhoods.

Prior to his service with Healthy Neighborhoods, Sissman was Baltimore's deputy housing commissioner, a banker and a key player in the redevelopment of the Hippodrome, the $70 million world-class performing arts center. He also served as past president of the Enterprise Foundation’s Enterprise Social Investment Corporation.

The Community Foundation of Howard County is a cosponsor of this event.

CA’s Community Building Speakers Series brings thought-provoking speakers on topics that stimulate us to discuss, engage, and build our sense of community in Columbia. For more information, please contact Scott Templin at 410-715-3166 or Scott.Templin@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

About Columbia Association
Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit community services corporation that manages Columbia, Maryland, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses — and was named the No. 1 small city to live in by Money Magazine in 2016. Additional information about CA is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org.