TheState.com

North Columbia: Crisis or Comeback?

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.

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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Chapter 3: The search for solutions

Chapter 4: 'This is our time'

Volunteers answer the call in North Columbia

North Columbia: City considers requiring security at apartments

North Columbia: On the verge of change?

Volunteer assistance

Solutions to growing the economy

North Columbia: On the verge of change?

Abandoned houses pose problems for area

Community members help make Children’s Garden work for struggling families

Low-performing schools put to the test

Solutions to code, school woes

Feds don’t require security at complexes

Mayor offers security plan

WHO OWNS THEM?

All quiet in Gable Oaks ... for now

Solutions to lessen crime

For reporter, North Columbia not just an assignment

Voices: Couple’s mission: Help children succeed

Cleanup for North Columbia set for Aug. 9

Voice: Urban pioneer stakes claim and brings others with him

Voice: Time ‘to get serious’ about development

Charter school plan in limbo

City hopes economic ‘seeds’ bear fruit

‘Our progress has no speed limit’

Teacher: ‘There is so much potential there’

Voice: Native comes back to open coffee shop

After city manager Charles Austin described North Columbia as a community in crisis, The State sent a team of reporters, photographers, editors and videographers into the area to chronicle life in this part of our city.

They found single mothers tired of dodging bullets and being ignored by police.

They found volunteers and advocates dedicated to helping the area grow and prosper.

They found neighborhoods of stately homes, beautiful trees and proud families.

They found streets of striking poverty.

They found business owners intent on helping lift up North Main Street.

All this is part of the fabric of the true North Columbia -- and the voices of a community.