Columbia Paving Project Ahead of Schedule, Eyes Expansion into 2026

Issue #552

September 10, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Weather - Partly cloudy w/ High of 88, low of 63

📰 Columbia Paving Project Ahead of Schedule, Eyes Expansion into 2026

🐝 Tennessee State Parks Expand Conservation with Honey Project

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia Paving Project Ahead of Schedule, Eyes Expansion into 2026

Columbia’s largest paving project in history is rolling forward, with plans now set to include new asphalt for the roadways and parking lots at Fairview Park—pending a final council vote.

The project, first approved by Columbia City Council in March, began as a $4.5 million investment to resurface streets across the city. So far, more than 20 miles of roads have been completed, with about eight miles still to go. A proposed change order would raise the project’s maximum budget to $4,696,346, utilizing funds already available through the city’s State Street Aid budget.

If approved, the work at Fairview Park would not only improve its roadways but also refresh parking lots. Gravel lots at the park, however, are expected to remain gravel due to concerns about runoff and erosion near the ballfields. Instead, the city plans to upgrade and maintain the gravel itself.

City leaders say the overall paving effort is ahead of schedule and under budget, with the goal of finishing this phase by the end of the month. With oil prices currently favorable, the contractor has indicated that current rates could extend into 2026, potentially opening the door for more resurfacing projects in the future.

The work has already made a visible difference downtown, where fresh pavement on the Public Square has been praised for giving the district a renewed look and feel. As Columbia’s paving project continues, the improvements are expected to benefit neighborhoods, parks, and businesses throughout the community.

Tennessee State Parks Expand Conservation with Honey Project

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and Tennessee State Parks (TSP) launched the TSP Honey Project across various state parks to

  • Promote pollinator and environmental health in the parks

  • Provide an experiential learning opportunity for visitors

  • Produce sweet treats for their guests

Since its establishment, the Honey Project has installed honey bee hives at 39 state parks across Tennessee with at least two hives at each park. Parks bottle and sell the honey in state park gift shops based on their hive's production. Honey production fluctuates based on a variety of factors such as the amount of food available in the area. If a park's hives have produced enough honey, bottling usually occurs sometime between May and September. To find out if a park is currently selling honey, please contact the park directly. Tennessee State Park restaurants also use the honey as a way to pursue sustainability. 

Since pollinator health is critical to Tennessee's agricultural, environmental, and ecological health, these tiny insects open the door to discuss a myriad of environmental issues. 

TDEC has worked alongside several partners to get this project off the ground. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s State Apiarist, Mike Studer, advised on several topics including technical assistance, beehive health, and community contacts. TRICOR, a company that provides occupational and life skills training for Tennessee's incarcerated population through job training, program opportunities, and transitional services designed to assist offenders with successful reintegration into society, built the hives for the first 6 parks.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, September 10th

Thursday, September 11th

Friday, September 12th

Saturday, September 13th

Sunday, September 14th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Sept 16: Breakfast with the Mayors
Sept 27 - 28: Pilgrimage Music & Heritage Festival
Oct 11: Columbia Fall Fest

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, September 11th

Brooklyn Ray, Puckett’s, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Rob Roscoe, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 – 9:00 PM

Friday, September 12th

TBA, The Spot: Burgers & Beers, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Nick Duhe, Buck & Board, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Open Mic, Grinder’s Switch Winery, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Night of Worship, The Awaken House, 7:00 PM
Shannon & The Harpeth River Boys, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Troy Kemp, Puckett’s, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Emily Otteson, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
South Bound Crows, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 – 11:00 PM

Saturday, September 13th

Tom Dixon, Keg Springs Winery, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Gil Gann, Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3:00 – 7:00 PM
Yonder Trio, Buck & Board, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Los San Patricios, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Song Writers Round, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Kenny & Bob, Puckett’s, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
615 Rewind, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 – 11:00 PM

Sunday, September 14th

The Sins, Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1:00 – 5:00 PM

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