November 19 Newsletter
Water Conservation Plant update: A Dec. 13 hearing will be held with Tulare County Superior Court Judge Lloyd Hicks on a lawsuit filed last month by Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, seeking a temporary restraining order prohibiting Visalia from awarding a $92.3 million contract to renovate the plant to W.M. Lyles Co. At its Oct. 21 meeting, the City Council authorized award of the contract for the project to W.M. Lyles, Inc. If the judge rules in favor of the City, there may not be a delay in starting construction on the plant, estimated to take 3 to 4 years.
Developer purchases Sequoia Mall: David Paynter has purchased the Sequoia Mall for an undisclosed sum. According to John Dubois of Commercial Real Estate who brokered the sale for partners Kimco Real Estate and Schottenstein Properties, Paynter won the bidding on the 24.3 acre mall over multiple offers. The sale includes Tower Plaza as well as the mall, but does not include the Sears and Hobby Lobby spaces.
Downtown developments: Pita Kabob will open a new location downtown at the former Struble Auto Parts building at 214 N. Court St. Building owner William Martin will convert the building into an office/restaurant combo. The 3,300 square foot restaurant is expected to be open in the Spring. OMNI-MEANS will relocate from Main Street to 200 E. Center St., at the former County Court building by February.
Hotel occupancy up in September: Occupancy was up in September in the Tulare/Visalia area with a 4 percent increase in rooms sold. Smith Travel reports occupancy reached 70 percent compared to 57.3 percent occupancy in September 2012.
Building permits up 7% for 2013 through October: New single family dwellings leads the increase with 335 permits through October, compared to 219 for 2012, a 53% increase. Value was up 88%, from $43,658,868 in 2012 to $81,917,933 for 2013. Total number of permits for the year to date are up 7%, with an overall increase of 44% in value.
Splash Pad moves ahead: Plans have been submitted for the new splash pad to be installed at Rawhide Stadium. The project is currently in the Plan review/permitting process, with start of construction slated for the Spring of 2014.
Economic Development Manager Update: The recruitment closed on Oct. 28 for the Economic Development Manager position. A total of 46 applications were received. The most qualified applicants will be interviewed on Dec. 10. The City Manager will be including business representatives in the interview process.
TCAG seeking input on County bicycle plan: The Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) wants your input in a region-wide survey for the update of the Tulare County Regional Bicycle Transportation Plan. The plans establishes goals and policies on bicycle transportation and future improvements of bicycle facilities within the County. The survey will help determine areas where bicycle services can be improved and the results will be shared with local jurisdictions and will be incorporated into the Bicycle Plan. To take the survey, click here.
Police update Council on Beverly Glen neighborhood: Residents of the Beverly Glen neighborhood were pleased with the progress that has been made by the Visalia Police Department's efforts to address crime concerns and other issues raised by a group of residents at the Oct. 21 Council meeting. A neighborhood meeting was held on Oct. 25 with Police Capt. Jason Salazar and Lt. Jeff McIntosh. Short-term and long-term measures that have been accomplished or are underway were identified. Short-term goals include increased police presence, both uniformed and plain clothes; addressing specific problem residents with direct enforcement by the Police and Code Enforcement departments; increasing awareness and educating residents regarding home security and crime prevention; and scheduling meetings as necessary to address neighborhood concerns. Long-term goals include the integration of a new system that will provide up-to-date tracking of daily crime trends that can be made more readily available to citizens and officers, and expanding the role of the Crime Prevention Coordinator to include more frequent use of technology to keep Neighborhood Watch groups informed of crime issues within their neighborhoods. To learn more how to keep your own home and neighborhood safe, click here.
Developer purchases Sequoia Mall: David Paynter has purchased the Sequoia Mall for an undisclosed sum. According to John Dubois of Commercial Real Estate who brokered the sale for partners Kimco Real Estate and Schottenstein Properties, Paynter won the bidding on the 24.3 acre mall over multiple offers. The sale includes Tower Plaza as well as the mall, but does not include the Sears and Hobby Lobby spaces.
Downtown developments: Pita Kabob will open a new location downtown at the former Struble Auto Parts building at 214 N. Court St. Building owner William Martin will convert the building into an office/restaurant combo. The 3,300 square foot restaurant is expected to be open in the Spring. OMNI-MEANS will relocate from Main Street to 200 E. Center St., at the former County Court building by February.
Hotel occupancy up in September: Occupancy was up in September in the Tulare/Visalia area with a 4 percent increase in rooms sold. Smith Travel reports occupancy reached 70 percent compared to 57.3 percent occupancy in September 2012.
Building permits up 7% for 2013 through October: New single family dwellings leads the increase with 335 permits through October, compared to 219 for 2012, a 53% increase. Value was up 88%, from $43,658,868 in 2012 to $81,917,933 for 2013. Total number of permits for the year to date are up 7%, with an overall increase of 44% in value.
Splash Pad moves ahead: Plans have been submitted for the new splash pad to be installed at Rawhide Stadium. The project is currently in the Plan review/permitting process, with start of construction slated for the Spring of 2014.
Economic Development Manager Update: The recruitment closed on Oct. 28 for the Economic Development Manager position. A total of 46 applications were received. The most qualified applicants will be interviewed on Dec. 10. The City Manager will be including business representatives in the interview process.
TCAG seeking input on County bicycle plan: The Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) wants your input in a region-wide survey for the update of the Tulare County Regional Bicycle Transportation Plan. The plans establishes goals and policies on bicycle transportation and future improvements of bicycle facilities within the County. The survey will help determine areas where bicycle services can be improved and the results will be shared with local jurisdictions and will be incorporated into the Bicycle Plan. To take the survey, click here.
Police update Council on Beverly Glen neighborhood: Residents of the Beverly Glen neighborhood were pleased with the progress that has been made by the Visalia Police Department's efforts to address crime concerns and other issues raised by a group of residents at the Oct. 21 Council meeting. A neighborhood meeting was held on Oct. 25 with Police Capt. Jason Salazar and Lt. Jeff McIntosh. Short-term and long-term measures that have been accomplished or are underway were identified. Short-term goals include increased police presence, both uniformed and plain clothes; addressing specific problem residents with direct enforcement by the Police and Code Enforcement departments; increasing awareness and educating residents regarding home security and crime prevention; and scheduling meetings as necessary to address neighborhood concerns. Long-term goals include the integration of a new system that will provide up-to-date tracking of daily crime trends that can be made more readily available to citizens and officers, and expanding the role of the Crime Prevention Coordinator to include more frequent use of technology to keep Neighborhood Watch groups informed of crime issues within their neighborhoods. To learn more how to keep your own home and neighborhood safe, click here.