On August 20, 2021, Columbia Borough closed on its purchase of the 58-acre tract of land known as the McGinness Property, a former airport, to support the borough’s ongoing economic revitalization plans.
Located near both bridges on Route 462 and U.S. Route 30, the McGinness tract is expected to play a major role in the borough’s economic future and drive new revenue to support the long-term tax base.
The redevelopment plans for this property include a technology and innovation campus that would include a hiking trail through a nature preserve and other recreational uses to support residents and borough visitors. Read the borough’s news release about the purchase here.
First Concept Plans
At the Public Workshop on September 7, 2021, the Borough reveled the first concept plans for the property. Concept 1 includes the drone company and the second plan is a build-out plan without the drone company. It may be possible that the final design may include some of both plans.
Concept Plan 1
Concept Plan 2
Due Diligence Reports
Since 2017, the borough has hired engineering consultants to conduct and prepare studies to inform the Borough Council and staff on the condition and the feasibility of developing the former airport.
Those reports are available here.
- 2017 Rettew Reports
- 2021 Reports
On Friday, November 19, state Sen. Ryan Aument visited the McGinness site, along with borough officials, representatives from Argos Unmanned Aerial Solutions and local and county economic development representatives.
Columbia has received a $1 million state grant to support infrastructure work on the redevelopment site.
Read the release here.
Learn More
Interested in learning more about Columbia’s economic vision and community development projects? Visit our community development page here.
