Summer is upon us! After the June gloom, the bright sunshiny days of summer are very welcome indeed!
The Santa Clarita City Council recently approved the 21-Point Business Plan for Progress. This first-ever economic stimulus program will help to enhance local business partnerships, encourage quality job creation in the area, and bolster retail spending and attract external dollars to the community. In May, the City Council increased the City’s local preference purchasing policy to 10 percent to create more opportunities for local businesses to do business with the City. We have partnered with many local organizations on a new Think Santa Clarita Valley campaign to promote our local economy. Check it out at www.ThinkSantaClaritaValley.com. In June, the City Council approved three items that are part of this program: a grant program for encouraging new building facades in Old Town Newhall; a grant program for encouraging energy efficiency on local businesses; and a grant program to encourage new jobs and investment in local businesses. Check out our website at www.santa-clarita.com/recovery/local.asp for updates to this exciting program.
This summer, the City will be completing its phase four expansion of the Santa Clarita Sports Complex expansion project, which includes a dog park, outdoor basketball courts with a roller hockey overlay, and the addition of much-needed playing fields which can be used for football, soccer, and free play. As you may recall, phase four also included the City’s 40,000- square-foot skate park, which opened this spring. We are very excited about the Sports Complex expansion project and providing for the recreational needs of our community.
Other major projects the City expects to complete this summer include the widening of Magic Mountain/Interstate 5, which will provide for a larger intersection and wider on and off ramps to Interstate 5. In Old Town Newhall, the first phase of the new streetscape project will be finishing up, with beautiful new brick sidewalks and wooden boardwalks and lush landscaping, adding a welcoming feel to the first two blocks of Main Street.
Don’t forget that summer in Santa Clarita means it’s time for the City’s free Concerts in the Park series. Every Saturday night from July 11 through August 29, the City will host a free concert at Central Park, beginning at 7 p.m. This year’s concert lineup features a wide variety of musical styles with something for everyone! Food and beverages are available for sale. We encourage you to bring your family, a blanket or chairs, and enjoy the sounds of summer at Central park! More information about the Concerts in the Park series is available on our website at: www.santa-clarita.com/arts/concerts .
Sincerely, Ken Pulskamp