MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER
KEN PULSKAMP
August 2004

You’re not the only one cooking in this heat – over at City Hall, we’re cooking up a whole lot of new projects, with something for even the most discriminating palate.

By now I’m sure you’ve caught at least a glimpse of the City’s “Shop Santa Clarita” campaign. Our goal is to educate residents about where the City’s boundaries are (between I-5 and Highway 14) and encourage them to shop in the City, keeping valuable sales tax revenue where it does the most good; right here in the City of Santa Clarita. Our City is very dependent upon sales tax, with 43% of our general fund derived from sales tax revenue. The City receives one cent for every dollar spent in the City. Those pennies add up to $26 million annually. Since Cityhood, we’ve spent $250 million on capital projects our residents have asked us for including new roads, parks, trails, bridges, facilities, programs, special events and more. Here’s a few things we’re working on right now!

This summer, we broke ground for a host of new capital projects that will continue to improve our quality of life. To help ease traffic, we are currently widening the bridge at Bouquet Canyon Road, just north of Valencia Boulevard. The widening will allow us to increase the roadway from six lanes to eight lanes and will include a class one bicycle path, allowing a connection to the City’s River Trail.

Construction is underway for a new Community Center in Newhall. The new Center will include a boxing arena, ballet folklorico program, toy library, Sheriffs’ sub-station, classrooms, meeting rooms, an outdoor courtyard and more. The construction project also includes 150 parking spaces for the facility. Look for a grand opening late next year. Like the pieces of a puzzle falling into place, our eight-and-a-half mile Cross Valley Connector Road is coming together. We are currently under construction for the Soledad Interchange at Golden Valley Road, a $32 million road bridge project that will provide for a connection between Highway 14 and Newhall Ranch Road. Look for access to this new roadway late next fall.

A new 17-acre park in Santa Clarita is currently under construction at McBean and Newhall Ranch Road. Valencia Heritage Park will feature a children’s play area, passive picnic and recreational opportunities, four lighted tennis courts, beautiful views and great landscaping. Look for completion of this park late next year. I hope I’ve provided you with information you can use about what we’re working on at City Hall. I appreciate your interest in our City and hope you stay involved with your local government.

Sincerely,

Ken Pulskamp
City Manager