The Downtown Neighborhood Association met Monday March 30, 2009. Rebecca Spratlin spoke about putting a one to three acre Bark Park in the North Main area near River Drive and North Main Street. The area will have a holding gate for safety as well as provide stations for pet waste. Spratlin said there will be a separate area for small dogs weighing less than 30 lbs. For anyone interested in supporting this proposal, a petition has been posted on http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NOMAbarkpark.

Alicia Morgan spoke about Urban Tour, an event to experience downtown life on Main Street Thursday, May 7, 5 pm- 8:30 pm. There will be a self- guided walking tour as well as live entertainment. Another event Morgan discussed was the Main Street Marketplace, which begins on the first Friday of May and runs until the last Friday in June. The Main Street Marketplace is an open market that offers such items as fresh produce, flowers, art, homemade jewelry, and specialty crafts. Live entertainment will also be provided. The marketplace will be located at the Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art at the corner of Main and Hampton streets. More information can be located at www.citycentercolumbia.sc.

Terry Davis said that on April 18 between the 1200 and 1400 blocks of Main Street, volunteers will plant flowers in hanging baskets between the three designated blocks. The Downtown Neighborhood Association is partnering with the City Center Partnership on this project.