Columbia closes Boyd Plaza to public except during Soda City, reserved events

The city of Columbia has closed Main Street’s Boyd Plaza to the public, other than for the weekly Soda City Market and reserved events, marking a big change for what has been a community gathering space for decades.

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City Manager Teresa Wilson made the decision to restrict access to the plaza in coordination with the police department, Parks and Recreation Department and Columbia Museum of Art, a city spokesperson said in a statement.

The change took effect in August following what the city described as a “thoughtful review” of the plaza’s future. The review took into account public safety and the needs of surrounding businesses, according to the statement.

The closure has raised questions about the city’s approach to homelessness and the use of public space downtown.

“Total failure on two fronts and, unfortunately, a typical Columbia [loss],” one commenter wrote on Reddit. “Creating a dysfunctional urban environment while not sufficiently providing for at-risk population [sic.] Just bulldoze it and put up more student housing at this point.”

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Boyd Plaza was established in 1998 through a gift from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation in honor of the couple’s son, who died in an accident. The foundation later spent more than $4.6 million to renovate the plaza in 2019.

The plaza features a fountain sculpture, landscaping, tables and chairs, and an elevated platform for performers during events such as First Thursday on Main.

In deciding to lock down access to the plaza, the city also said it considered how to safely have groups visiting the museum enter and exit the space, the city’s statement adds.

Groups can reserve the plaza at columbiamuseum.org/rent, or by calling the Columbia Museum of Art at 803-343-2188.

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