November 5 Newsletter
Mayor's Monthly Office Hours Set for Nov. 13: Visalia Mayor Amy Shuklian will hold her regular office hours on Wednesday, Nov. 13, for Visalia residents to discuss issues of concern. Walk-ins are welcome from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the conference room at City Hall, at 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. can be scheduled in advance by contacting Gladys Ruiz at 713-4314. Mayor Shuklian can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 8313, or by email at [email protected].
Local Motion Award Winners Lauded: The Tulare County Association of Governments recognized two City projects and one community member as part of its recent Local Motion Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 31 at the Visalia Convention Center, Urban Tree Foundation Director Brian Kempf was named Outstanding Citizen for his work as director of the Urban Tree Foundation, dedicated to improving the state's urban forest. The Plaza Drive Interchange Project and Project Manager Fred Lampe, senior engineer for the City, was named best Economic Development Project. The $30 million project, which required no local funds, promotes economic growth in the County by improving access to employment centers and improving goods movement. The St. John's Riverwalk Project and project coordinators Jim Bean with the Parks & Recreation Department and Vaughn Melcher with Community Development, was named best Bike and Pedestrian Project. The River Walk combines bicycle and pedestrian trail paths with landscaped open space and park facilities. The trail's development started about 30 years ago and will eventually connect Cutler Park with the Riverway Sports Park.
Building permits up 7% through October: The housing boon continues, with a 53% boost in building permits for single family dwellings over last year. A total of 335 permits have been issued through October, compared to 219 in 2012. Valuation of permits is up 88% over last year - from $43,658,868 in 2012 to $81,917,933 in 2013. Total number of permits is up - 2,855 in 2013 compared to 2,660 in 2012. Total valuation is up 44% with $145,262,708 compared to $101,220,562 in 2012.
Latest phases of Riverway Sports Park to open: The grand opening of the Riverway Sports Park phases III and IV has been scheduled for Saturday, November 9, rain or shine, from 10 am until 2 pm. A formal dedication ceremony will be held at 10:30 am, which will include the introduction of the newest members of the Pillars of Fame. A total of eight acres, Phase III features a special events promenade, large covered arbor, additional landscaping, playground, Saputo Sports Field, restroom facility and open grass area for seating. A live band will also perform in the final show of the popular Concerts in the Park series with local band Willow Station performing 70s and 80s classic rock. Information: Visalia Parks & Recreation at 713-4365 or visit www.liveandplayvisalia.com.
High Speed Rail Authority staff supports station on east side of Hanford: Citing fewer environmental concerns as well as the findings of community research, the High Speed Rail Authority staff now supports the eastern track alignment, which would place the proposed train station closer to Visalia and Tulare. The track route would run east of Hanford with the Kings/Tulare Regional Station located just east of the intersection of Highway 198 and Highway 43. The decision to officially pursue the east alternative still requires the approval of the HSR Authority's Board of Directors, who meet to discuss the issue Thursday. Construction on the project in Kings County is not expected until sometime late next year. If the board of directors approves the plans recommended by the HSR staff, the plans will be forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers, and a final environmental impact report would be drafted and presented to the Rail Authority in the spring of next year.
Local Motion Award Winners Lauded: The Tulare County Association of Governments recognized two City projects and one community member as part of its recent Local Motion Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 31 at the Visalia Convention Center, Urban Tree Foundation Director Brian Kempf was named Outstanding Citizen for his work as director of the Urban Tree Foundation, dedicated to improving the state's urban forest. The Plaza Drive Interchange Project and Project Manager Fred Lampe, senior engineer for the City, was named best Economic Development Project. The $30 million project, which required no local funds, promotes economic growth in the County by improving access to employment centers and improving goods movement. The St. John's Riverwalk Project and project coordinators Jim Bean with the Parks & Recreation Department and Vaughn Melcher with Community Development, was named best Bike and Pedestrian Project. The River Walk combines bicycle and pedestrian trail paths with landscaped open space and park facilities. The trail's development started about 30 years ago and will eventually connect Cutler Park with the Riverway Sports Park.
Building permits up 7% through October: The housing boon continues, with a 53% boost in building permits for single family dwellings over last year. A total of 335 permits have been issued through October, compared to 219 in 2012. Valuation of permits is up 88% over last year - from $43,658,868 in 2012 to $81,917,933 in 2013. Total number of permits is up - 2,855 in 2013 compared to 2,660 in 2012. Total valuation is up 44% with $145,262,708 compared to $101,220,562 in 2012.
Latest phases of Riverway Sports Park to open: The grand opening of the Riverway Sports Park phases III and IV has been scheduled for Saturday, November 9, rain or shine, from 10 am until 2 pm. A formal dedication ceremony will be held at 10:30 am, which will include the introduction of the newest members of the Pillars of Fame. A total of eight acres, Phase III features a special events promenade, large covered arbor, additional landscaping, playground, Saputo Sports Field, restroom facility and open grass area for seating. A live band will also perform in the final show of the popular Concerts in the Park series with local band Willow Station performing 70s and 80s classic rock. Information: Visalia Parks & Recreation at 713-4365 or visit www.liveandplayvisalia.com.
High Speed Rail Authority staff supports station on east side of Hanford: Citing fewer environmental concerns as well as the findings of community research, the High Speed Rail Authority staff now supports the eastern track alignment, which would place the proposed train station closer to Visalia and Tulare. The track route would run east of Hanford with the Kings/Tulare Regional Station located just east of the intersection of Highway 198 and Highway 43. The decision to officially pursue the east alternative still requires the approval of the HSR Authority's Board of Directors, who meet to discuss the issue Thursday. Construction on the project in Kings County is not expected until sometime late next year. If the board of directors approves the plans recommended by the HSR staff, the plans will be forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers, and a final environmental impact report would be drafted and presented to the Rail Authority in the spring of next year.