Happy New Year! This marks the beginning of year four of our five-year strategic plan, Santa Clarita 2020. This means our major projects contained in this plan are reaching milestones.

Closing in on the finish line is the Old Town Newhall Parking Structure. If you have been to the area recently (and you probably have with all the great dining and entertainment options), you have seen that the structure is nearly finished.

Slated to open to the public in May of this year, the structure will add 372 new parking spaces and provide convenient access to great shops, restaurants and future businesses, such as the Laemmle Theatre and Newhall Crossings. It will also offer the best view in town from the special event space on the top deck, high above Main Street.

The beginning of 2019 should bring to fruition the rest of the redevelopment block in Old Town Newhall. Both the Laemmle Theatre and Newhall Crossings are on track to be completed by then.

Residents will be able to view quality independent, foreign and art house cinema right here in Santa Clarita. Laemmle Theatres will offer seven screens and a variety of films. After you catch a movie, you can enjoy the new retail space and public plaza at Newhall Crossings.

In Canyon Country residents are looking forward to the 2020 opening of the new, permanent community center. This hub for activity, recreation and fun will be located on the northeast corner of Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway. Residents will get to enjoy multi-sports spaces, a training kitchen, spacious event area, tot lot and more!

In Saugus, the next chapter will include a new library and arts center. The site selection is wrapping up now. This new facility will not only house books but also offer plenty of room for community events, fitness activities and arts. The building and programing for the Saugus Library and Arts Center will be crafted especially with residents in mind. It is anticipated to open in 2020.

Our Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station will be relocating to a new, expanded and improved facility on Golden Valley Road, the site of temporary Fire Station 104. This new sheriff’s station, a joint effort with Los Angeles County, will be 45,000 square feet and include a 4,000-square-foot vehicle maintenance building and operational heliport. It will be open for crime fighting in 2020.

There is much to look forward to as we usher in the New Year. I want to thank all of you for your support as we continue our work on our Santa Clarita 2020 plan. I encourage you to stay engaged with all the great projects and programs planned for our city. For more information, please visit SantaClarita2020.com.