SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Looking Back on a Successful Year, Forward to Another

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May 18

1978 - Concert scene for "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park" filmed at Magic Mountain [story]

Looking Back on a Successful Year, Forward to Another

Commentary by Mayor Frank Ferry

By Frank Ferry | Saturday, Dec 1, 2012

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Frank Ferry

It has been my honor to serve as your Mayor for 2012, and as the year comes to a close, I wanted to share some of our city’s accomplishments with you.

After more than two years of construction, the city opened its new, 30,000-square-foot library in Old Town Newhall this year. Since it opened, the new library has welcomed thousands of visitors. Information about all of our library programs and services is available at www.santaclaritalibrary.com.

Also in Old Town Newhall, we celebrated the completion of several façade improvement projects, transforming Main Street into a quaint street of eclectic shops. In June, we dedicated the new Iron Horse trail and art project, located off Magic Mountain Parkway. We also completed a major beautification project at Lyons and I-5, improving this gateway to our city from the south.

In July, we dedicated the Elsmere Canyon open space, now fully in public ownership, forever to be preserved. In 2012, we completed a host of beautification projects around town, as well as several road improvement projects aimed at keeping our city streets smooth and pothole free.

2013 promises to be another fabulous year for our city. If you are a commuter on the west side, you may be pleased to know that the city is beginning construction of a new, 285-space park-and-ride project at the McBean Transfer Station (McBean and Valencia Boulevard). In addition to the 285 new parking spaces, the project will include bike lockers, benches, low impact lighting and public art exhibits, plus information kiosks and a plasma screen television for bus arrival information.

The City will be purchasing more open space; spending $15 million in the Canyon Country area, including widening Golden Valley Road near SR 14; adding several new landscaped medians; widening the bridge near the post office on McBean Parkway; designing a new roundabout across from Hart Park in Old Town Newhall; and adding new bike lanes on the east side of town – to name a few things to look forward to.

If you are interested in learning more about our city’s many projects, events and programs, visit us online at www.santa-clarita.com. You can also sign up for email alerts on topics of your choice, and you can receive our online blog, City Briefs (www.santaclaritacitybriefs.com).

I have truly enjoyed serving as your mayor this year. I want to thank you for your support of our city.

Frank Ferry is mayor of the city of Santa Clarita.

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