Last year, the city embarked upon an ambitious five-year strategic plan called Santa Clarita 2020. The plan includes tens of millions of dollars in public projects including a new sheriff’s station in the center of the valley, a new community center in Canyon Country, a library-recreation center in Saugus, an arts master plan, bringing a Laemmle Theatre, a commercial project with housing and a parking structure to Old Town Newhall, expanding transit services, attracting more filming, jobs and large scale events, and much more.

Now in our second year of the five-year plan, we are hitting some tremendous milestones that I’m excited to share with you.

In May, the City Council and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors signed off on a funding plan for our new sheriff’s station. The new and larger, state-of-the-art facility will be built on 12 acres of land owned by the city on Golden Valley Road. The $51 million plan includes a $15 million contribution from L.A. County.

This year, the City Council will be making a decision on the location of the new Saugus Library Center. The new library and recreation center will provide a much-needed amenity to the Saugus community. Also this year, the design of the new library will commence.

In Canyon Country, the city will be building a new Canyon Country Community Center between Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway. The 6.5-acre site will include a variety of amenities including a gymnasium, fitness room, kitchen, multi-purpose outdoor fields, a tot lot, a half-court basketball court, a community garden, class rooms and much more. This year, in concert with the community, we will be completing the site master plan and begin the design process for the new community center.

If you would like more information, including a progress report on all 62 work projects on the Santa Clarita 2020 plan, I encourage you to visit our regularly updated website at www.SantaClarita2020.com.

Ken Striplin is the city manager of the city of Santa Clarita.