Lawsuit Challenges City’s Approval of Waters Edge Apartment Project

Issue #693

March 25, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤 Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunny w/ a few clouds w/ high of 85, low of 63

📰 Lawsuit Challenges City’s Approval of Waters Edge Apartment Project

🌺 Cheekwood Named One of America’s 10 Best Botanical Gardens for 2026

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Lawsuit Challenges City’s Approval of Waters Edge Apartment Project

A Columbia resident has filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Columbia’s approval of the proposed Waters Edge at Taylor Landing apartment complex.

Joshua Moore, who lives in the Taylor Landing area, filed a complaint in Maury County Chancery Court arguing the Planned Unit Development was improperly revived after it failed a City Council vote in October 2025.

The ordinance initially did not pass, but was later brought back before the council and ultimately approved in December and January. Moore contends that once the measure was defeated, it should have required a new application and review process rather than being reconsidered.

The lawsuit alleges the city did not follow proper procedures under state law, local zoning rules or public meeting requirements. It also raises concerns about application materials, infrastructure certifications and utility documentation tied to the project.

Moore is asking the court to void the approval and require the project to restart the process from the beginning.

Cheekwood Named One of America’s 10 Best Botanical Gardens for 2026

Nashville’s Cheekwood Estate & Gardens has earned national recognition, landing at No. 9 on USA Today’s 10 Best Botanical Gardens of 2026 list.

The annual rankings highlight standout botanical gardens across the country, nominated by experts and voted on by readers.

This year’s top 10 includes:

No. 10: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - Coral Gables, Florida
No. 9: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens - Nashville, Tennessee
No. 8: Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens - Fort Bragg, California
No. 7: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - Boothbay, Maine
No. 6: Botanica, The Wichita Gardens - Wichita, Kansas
No. 5: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Grand Rapids, Michigan
No. 4: Missouri Botanical Garden - St. Louis, Missouri
No. 3: Lauritzen Gardens - Omaha, Nebraska
No. 2: Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
No. 1: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - Cincinnati, Ohio

Sounds like the perfect excuse to stroll through Cheekwood’s gardens and take in the flowers. If you’ve never been, it makes for an easy and beautiful day trip. And if you’ve visited before, you already know how stunning it can be when everything is in bloom.

The 55-acre historic estate, once home to Mabel and Leslie Cheek, has been open to the public since 1960 and now operates as a botanical garden, arboretum and museum. The grounds feature more than 2,100 trees and over 130 species of trees and shrubs, along with 13 distinct gardens that range from a tranquil Japanese-style tea garden to a children’s garden, literary garden and water garden.

Guests can stroll a 1.5-mile woodland sculpture trail, explore nationally accredited tree collections, or tour the historic Cheek Mansion, which now serves as a museum with restored rooms and rotating art exhibitions.

Of course, spring is one of the most popular times to visit. The estate is known for its colorful blooms, magnolias, hydrangeas, daffodils and dogwoods, all set against rolling hills and carefully cultivated landscapes.

If you’re planning a visit, Cheekwood’s seasonal display guide shows what’s currently blooming this spring.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Thursday, March 26th

Friday, March 27th

Saturday, March 28th

Sunday, March 29th

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, March 26
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6–9 PM
Gwynne Alden - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, March 27
Open Mic - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7–9 PM
Late Bloomers - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Ryan Keeler - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
MFT - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, March 28
The Def Leprechaun Band - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Easton Corbin - The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
The Deltaz - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Sweet T & Trailer Trash - The Boondox, 8 PM
Vintage Voltage - Gary’s Place, 8–11 PM
DownSouth Band - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Sunday, March 29
Jackie Saturday - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 2–5 PM
Maury County Community Band - Columbia Central High School, 3 PM

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