Clearlake’s ‘State of the City’ offers update on big projects, plans ahead
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake officials shared an upbeat presentation on the latest efforts to improve the city’s offerings, its image and its commerce in the second annual “State of the City” address last week.
The event, held Aug. 30 at the city’s community center, is the second that the city leadership has hosted to update community members on the progress it’s making in turning Clearlake toward a brighter future.
City Manager Greg Folsom, under whose leadership the annual updates have been implemented, said the city is at the beginning “of a long journey” to reach the vision the city council has created for it, which includes a wide variety of improvements and a new image.
An estimated 150 people attended the three-hour event, which began with an hour-long open house in which community members could speak to representatives of various city departments, view the student art mural project that was sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Art and Science and the Art House Gallery, and cast votes for the city’s photo contest submissions, with the top vote-getters to be displayed at city facilities and on the city’s Web site.
Leading off the evening’s presentations was Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce President Denise Loustalot.
Loustalot recognized the volunteers and donations that made the opening of the new visitor center possible this spring.
In particular, the extraordinary efforts of Mike Vandiver and Doug Herren – both of whom put in enormous hours on the project – were lauded.
Mayor Russ Perdock also spoke, asking for reflection on the loss of several prominent community members and some of the troubles happening in the nation before introducing members of the Clearlake Planning Commission, the Clearlake City Council, city department heads and other VIPs in the audience.
During his part of the presentation, Folsom offered an extensive overview of the city’s numerous accomplishments over the last year, including completing the general plan update, the passage of the Measure V road sales tax, the recently passed universal solid waste collection ordinance, code enforcement statistics, cleanup efforts and crime reduction efforts, the city’s strategic plan and specific steps being taken to reach the council’s vision for the future of Clearlake.
He said that Measure V, passed by voters in November, went into effect in April. Beginning in July, the city started receiving proceeds from the tax, which so far have amounted to more than $350,000. Of that amount, more than $100,000 was allocated to the project on Phillips and 18th Avenue, which has primarily been funded with about $2 million in grants.
The city also is planning frontage improvements – including curb, gutter and sidewalk – at the civic center property at the corner of Olympic and Lakeshore, plus a rehabilitation on Country Club, he said.
There also are big plans for Highlands Park and Austin Park, where master plans have been completed and the city is pursuing grants for improvements, Folsom said.
Folsom said plans for Highlands Park include a gazebo, horseshoe pits and bathrooms, while they want to build a bandshell for outdoor concerts at Austin Park, with other improvements to include a new pier, relocation of the playground equipment and a dog park.
He said the city is moving forward with the work to move its corporation yard from the airport property – which is to be the location of a new shopping center – to land the city purchased on Ogulin Canyon Road.
At the same location on Ogulin Canyon Road, Folsom said the city plans to build a new animal control facility, a project which has been delayed due to the loss of its city engineer. A new engineer is expected to start soon and the goal is to go out to bid on the project in the spring.
Folsom also reported on new commercial projects, including the opening of a new bakery, Classy Cakes, to be located at 15090 Olympic Drive; a new gas station that’s been approved at the site of an old station at Lakeshore Drive and Old Highway 53; and expansion projects for Subway, Walmart and the Patriot gas station.
He said there also are plans for a market rate housing project, a motel expansion and a possible office project, and said work is moving forward “slowly but surely” on the airport shopping center.
Folsom said the city is preparing to issue a request for proposals to sell the Austin Resort property, which has been identified as a catalyst site. He said they’re hoping to attract a hotel use for that location.
Among the projects that received special notice at the event was Two Dude Brew, a brewery and restaurant to be located at 14265 Lakeshore Drive, just north of Highlands Park.
“I’m very excited about this project,” said Folsom.
He added, “This is going to be a really big deal. It’s going to be a catalyst project for the whole Lakeshore Drive, I think.”
Folsom said it will be the only lakeside brewery in California.
There also was an update on the former Ray’s Food Place property on Dam Road, which has been purchased by the Eureka-based Carrington Co., which is negotiating leases with several national retailers and planning complete upgrades to the building and property.
With all of the good news, Folsom said the city’s leadership needs the support of residents.
“We can’t do this alone. We need community support,” he said.
“Just imagine if everyone cleaned their yard, put a fresh coat of paint on their house. That alone would make a huge difference,” said Folsom. “Take a look at your own little spot in the world and see what you can do to make your little spot better.”
Folsom compared the process of improving Clearlake to eating an elephant – it has to be done one bite at a time.
He also put out a call to action, asking people to promote the positive. “Let people know that the city is changing,” he said, adding that Clearlake is not waiting around for the state or the federal government to save it. “We’re doing something about it.”
People voted for change, and the mantra moving forward, said Folsom, is to make Clearlake cleaner, safer and better.
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