🍦$110 Million Short on the Ellicott City Tunnel

Good morning, Columbia.

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

Ellicott City’s flood recovery is hitting a financial snag. Howard County’s Safe and Sound plan — a sweeping effort launched after devastating floods in 2011, 2016, and 2018 — is facing a $110 million funding gap. The fiscal 2026 budget includes $23.2 million for the project, bringing the total committed to about $320 million. But with a $430 million price tag, key pieces of this seven-project plan still hang in the balance. ($)

Adventure Awaits at Play Street Museum Columbia! Where imaginations run wild and little explorers feel right at home.

Looking for a fun, educational escape for your toddler or young child? Step into Play Street Museum Columbia, a hands-on wonderland designed for kids ages 1–8—and the grown-ups who love to play alongside them!

Our Great Outdoors-themed museum invites young adventurers to fish, camp, cook, and explore in immersive exhibits made just for them. From building forest forts to running the general store, every corner is packed with opportunity for imaginative play and meaningful learning.

Perfect for:
Daily playtime (with reservation!)
Unforgettable birthday parties
Enriching field trips

Come make new friends, spark big ideas, and watch your little one’s imagination soar. Reserve your play session today!
8865 Stanford Blvd Columbia MD 21045
443-318-2929
Hours: M-F 830am-6pm

Remember a few weeks back when we told you about billionaire Bill Ackman swooping in with a big-money boost for Downtown Columbia? Well, the $900 million deal is done, and things are about to heat up. Howard Hughes Holdings CEO David O’Reilly says the fresh cash will supercharge Columbia’s massive $5 billion, 30-year transformation. Lower costs should result in more projects. What projects? O’Reilly’s lips are sealed. But Columbia remains the crown jewel. Expect action on leasing office space, a $325 million Lakefront District expansion, and new residential near the lake. Stay tuned! ($)

It’s time to tighten the taps. Ongoing dry conditions and below-average rainfall have dropped the Carroll County Liberty Reservoir — a major drinking water source — to its lowest level in nearly 20 years. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) has issued voluntary water restrictions across Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford, Howard, and Carroll counties. Cutting back now should help to avoid bigger problems later.

Officials stress this isn’t a drought yet. If conditions worsen however, DPW may draw from the Susquehanna River, which could slightly alter water taste but remains safe to drink. Every drop counts, folks. Let’s do our part!

All aboard for a throwback transit revival! Starting Saturday, Howard County’s launching a free weekend “trolley” in Old Ellicott City—blue and orange buses inspired by the original streetcars that ran until 1955. The yearlong pilot aims to improve mobility on steep Main Street, connecting top parking lots to downtown with service every 10–15 minutes through June 2026. ($)

Downtown Columbia just hit a high note. Officials broke ground on the new Performing Arts Center and Artists Flats — a bold, creative centerpiece of the Downtown Columbia Plan. The PAC will sit where Toby’s Dinner Theatre stands, transforming into a dynamic cultural hub with a 340-seat dinner theater, two black box theaters, dance studios, classrooms, and a public art gallery. It’s designed to pump even more creative energy into the Merriweather District, joining forces with The Chrysalis, Inner Arbor Trust, and Merriweather Arts & Culture Center.

Next door, Artists Flats will feature 174 mixed-income units — the first of its kind in the county — making good on the promise of affordable living right in the cultural heartbeat of town. Leaders call it more than construction. It’s the launchpad for the next generation of Columbia creators, dreamers, and doers. And we can’t wait.

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📸 @ITCplaygrounds | 📍Blandair Park, North Playground

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Ellicott City’s Pepper House is cooking up more than spicy noodles — it’s serving serious national buzz. The cozy Sichuan spot was ranked 11th best Chinese restaurant in the country by Yelp, drawing hungry fans from Pennsylvania to Europe. That spotlight is also boosting nearby Koreatown eateries, proving one sizzling success can fire up a whole district. ($)

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Kick off Memorial Day weekend with laughs! On Thursday, May 23, head to Nottingham’s Tavern in Columbia for Greeks Got Jokes — a Divine 9 Comedy Showcase full of punchlines, pride, and good vibes.

Step back in time on May 22 for Twain’s Feast at Elkridge Furnace Inn. Enjoy Mark Twain’s favorite dishes, reimagined by Chef Dan Wecker, in a one-of-a-kind wine dinner experience.

Mark your calendars for the DoodleHATCH Festival, May 24–26, 10am-6pm! This colorful, family-friendly bash at the DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum features vendors, crafts, entertainment, and fun for all ages.

The Wine Bin’s beloved outdoor movie series returns May 24 and runs nearly every Saturday through October 4. Cozy up with a glass of wine, grab some local eats, and catch classics like Breakfast at Tiffany’s or new hits like Inside Out 2. The series kicks off this Saturday, May 24 with a 9pm showing of Wicked.

Old Ellicott City’s Farmers Market returns May 24! Stop by Tiber Park, 8061 Main St. starting this Saturdays, 9AM–1PM, for farm-fresh produce, flowers, local eats, live music, and handmade goods. It’s market magic, Ellicott City style.

Save the date, Dave fans! The legendary Dave Matthews Band is headed to Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. Expect soulful jams, sing-alongs, and a packed lawn of devoted followers. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a first-time groover, this summer night under the stars promises to be unforgettable. Tickets are going fast—don’t miss the magic!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Marylanders, brace yourselves. A new report from Synapse Energy Economics says electricity rates in our region could skyrocket by up to 60% by 2036. The culprit? Delays in connecting new energy sources like solar, wind, and gas to the grid run by PJM Interconnection, which serves Maryland and 12 other states. A $21 billion settlement last year temporarily capped energy prices, but lawmakers like Del. Lorig Charkoudian aren’t reassured. She says PJM’s policies block competition and have led to an “unfair wealth transfer” from everyday ratepayers to utility giants.

PJM defends itself, claiming it’s highly transparent and working hard to speed up energy approvals. Still, the outlook has many watching—and worrying—about their future power bills. ($)

In a follow-up to last week’s budget drama, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has introduced emergency legislation to add $14.5 million in one-time funding for public schools. The move aims to close a $29.2 million gap threatening core services and staffing. Combined with school system savings, the boost could help avoid painful program cuts, layoffs, and service reductions. ($)

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66 🌡️ 53 | 🌧️ | 90% | 💨 East 3-22 mph

64 🌡️ 51 | ⛅️ | 25% | 💨 East 7-29 mph

65 🌡️ 47 | ☁️ | PRECIP% | 💨 East-Southeast 6–28 mph

66 🌡️ 49 | 🌨️ | 45% | 💨 Southeast 3-18 mph

Collective Encore | Don’t Back Down: Celebrate the Music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 730pm

Looney’s Maple Lawn | Lithium & Candy
Cured 1821 | Ian Trushiem 6pm
Bare Bones | Remedy 8pm
Collective Encore | The Ultimate Doors 8pm

Merriweather Post Pavilion | Sturgill Simpson Presents… Who the F is Johnny Blue Skies Tour
Looney’s Maple Lawn | Social Drinking
Cured 1821 | Damon Foreman 6pm
Manor Hill Brewery | Sophie Bernitt 2pm
Bare Bones | Escape Goat 8pm
Collective Encore | Brencore Presents… The Music of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye 8pm

Manor Hill Brewery | DT Huber 1pm
Collective Encore | BoStyx: A Tribute to Boston and Styx 730pm

Thanks for reading Columbia Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with anyone who loves Dave Matthews at Merriweather Post.