An Aging Columbia Population Prompts Leaders to Look Ahead

Columbia Association plans to invest more than $105 million in capital projects over the next 15 years, but with an aging population, the question of where to direct resources is on CA president Phil Nelson's mind.

Nelson that the purpose of developing a master plan for capital projects is to make sure CA provides for the changing wants and needs of its customers and investors.

Nelson noted census figures in his board presentation notes—the population of 25-to-34-year-olds in the city has decreased from 20.8 percent to 14.7 percent of the total population in the past 20 years.

Meanwhile, the population of those 65 to 74 years of age has increased from 2.7 percent to 6.7 percent, an increase that is predicted to continue over the next 30 years, according to Nelson.

Do you think Columbia should do more to cater to the growing population of those 65 to 74 years of age? Tell us in comments.

Nelson said in a recent presentation to the CA board that the increase in elderly residents could cause CA to cut back on children's programming in favor of programming for seniors, according to an article in Explore Howard.

"Do we offer all of the kid space? Do we offer all of the swimming pools? Or do we change to say, 'What do these age groups want to see? What would they like us to offer?' " Nelson said, according to the article.

Nelson wrote the primary focus for new residential construction in Columbia over the next two decades is 5,500 new units planned for downtown.

Downtown Columbia is also in the .

Howard Hughes recently announced a new to be built at the former Rouse Company Headquarters.

In May, developers provided a comprehensive look at the , which will soon add 380 new residential units and retail space on a lot adjoining the Mall in Columbia.

In addition, plans to redevelop and are quickly taking shape.

The expected population increase is between 16,000 and 18,000 over the next 20 to 25 years, Nelson wrote. Columbia's population as of the 2010 census was 99,615.

Nelson asked the board: "How does CA let residents and customers know that change is inevitable, and instead of concentrating on what residents and customers could lose through changes, focus on how changes could continue to add value to life and property?"

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