With spring right around the corner, residents may want to make improvements to their homes. If those plans call for building of a new structure, they will have to visit the Preservation Office. LaToya Grate, city planner for the city of Columbia, spoke at the Melrose Heights Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday March 8 at Melrose Heights Park to remind residents that in order to build new structures a permit may be required. Requirements for permits are determined on a case by case basis.

“Some projects require an application and presentation to the Design Development Review Commission, while other projects can be approved on the staff level,” Grate says.

Grate also said while it is important to get approval from the Preservation Office there may also be other requirements before a permit is granted. For more information, visit the Preservation Office on the first floor at 1136 Washington Street.

Also at the meeting, Rochelle Sims, director of the Melrose Heights Park, said she is currently taking applications for summer camp at the park. The camps are $45 a week, and applications may be picked up at Melrose Heights Park. The summer camps are from June 1st to August 6.