Mayor Daniel Rickenmann outlines City of Columbia’s goals for 2024

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Almost exactly two years ago, Daniel Rickenmann was sworn in as mayor of Columbia.

Since being in office, Rickenmann has pushed for more economic development in Soda City.

“I truly believe that the council, staff and the community have come together. We’ve taken the negative connotation out,” the mayor said. “We’re collaborating and planting seeds. We’re not trying to be the driver, but rather a partner. I think that’s the role of the city.”

During Rickenmann’s first two years in office, the city has broken ground on projects such as the revitalization of Finley Park and expanding river access. However, the mayor admits there are still problems to tackle here in Columbia. 

“Violent crime is still a big topic,” Rickenmann said. “Homelessness is the other big topic.”

Rickenmann plans to get ideas to fix these problems from other cities when he attends the US Conference of Mayors in two weeks.

He also talks about capitalizing on the growth of the University of South Carolina and keeping graduates in Columbia. 

“Listening to those students about the missed opportunities and why they choose other cities,” Rickenmann said. “Part of what we need to do is get more downtown housing, young professional apartments in the core.”

Another issue the city of Columbia faces is a large number of vacancies in law enforcement.

“We’re not where we want to be. We are actively recruiting and are doing different marketing and looking outside the market,” the mayor said. “There’s no reason for us to get people from Lexington and create a problem for them. We need to get folks into the state.”

On the federal level, new EPA regulations about eliminating PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water could cost the city millions of dollars, something that could impact future plans for the city. 

“How do we pay for it? Where’s that going to come from? That would wipe out our entire general fund,” Rickenmann said. “How are we going to pay for cops, firefighters and sidewalks? It’s a hot topic.”