Chapter 1: Hope
When three murders occurred in as many months at Gable Oaks apartments in North Columbia earlier this year, residents and city officials took action.

Eau Claire/North Columbia lightened its load by 51 tons of trash during the Aug. 9 community cleanup.
When three murders occurred in as many months at Gable Oaks apartments in North Columbia earlier this year, residents and city officials took action.
Crime — clustered around large, poorly secured apartment complexes — is the most evident and dangerous challenge to North Columbia. But it is not the only thing holding back this area of great potential.
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For 15 years, North Columbia has waited for its moment. Community leaders watched as other parts of the city began to flourish. New housing in Waverly. Luxury apartments in Olympia’s old mills. Entertainment, nightlife and restaurants in the Vista. Beautification in Five Points.
Forget attempting to typecast North Columbia, to pigeonhole it as one thing or the other, although any number of people have tried.
Donning fluorescent orange vests and armed with trash bags and bottles of water, more than 200 people worked together Saturday to clean up North Columbia.