PASO ROBLES
VIEWPOINT 2007
The Tribune invited each SLO County City Manager to contribute a “Viewpoint” article reflecting on community accomplishments and direction. They published the Paso Robles piece Sunday, January 21, 2007.
Today, Paso Robles’ citizens celebrate ten years of vigorous
economic growth; nearly $1,000,000,000 invested in home and
business construction, 4,400 jobs created, retail commerce
almost tripled, gross domestic (City) product doubled, while
crime (per 1,000 population) is down 31%.
In 2006 alone, a bond was approved to ready the High School for
the future, expansion of the Rader Memorial (13th Street))
Bridge was completed, 227 hotel rooms were added (with 206 more
under construction), seismic retrofit of 51 unreinforced masonry
buildings is nearing completion, 23 Paso Robles High School
students and their instructors participated in the California
State Skills USA competition, it was the first full year of
Cuesta College’s first permanent North County Campus building, a
major new play environment at Sherwood Park was created, and
much more.
But this success is not enough; to thrive long-term, the economy
must continue to expand, deepen and grow stronger - four steps
are planned:
• Develop people – increase educational attainment and skills
of, opportunities, and demand for labor.
• Improve place – establish distinctive, quality, stable, safe
and sustainable physical improvements and attractions.
• Position community – promote the distinct character, heritage
and attributes of Paso Robles as a destination to visit, shop,
invest, work and live.
• Partner – collaborate to foster economic growth and improve
quality of life.
For 2007 and beyond, Paso Robles will strive to provide
opportunities for a good education, a good home, a good job and
a good life. This resolve will be seen in many forms including:
• promoting and supporting a full range of educational
opportunities including development of a First Five Commission
Pre-School & Family Resource Center, joint City/School District
School/Park projects, and construction of Cuesta College’s Trade
& Technology Building;
• stimulating investment in strategic assets through the
creation of a Salinas River Corridor Plan, Town Centre/Downtown
expansion plan, Paso Robles Event Center facility revitalization
plan, and reuse of historic sites;
• increasing the supply of quality, pedestrian-oriented
neighborhoods and housing by completing distinctive plans for
the development of Chandler Ranch, Olsen/Beechwood area, and
Uptown (24th Street north to City limits), as well as a
long-term Housing Strategy;
• enhancing quality of life by efficiently using and preserving
natural resources through construction of the Nacimiento Water
Project, implementation of water conservation programs, and
developing means to recycle used water, changing the manner
people and goods are transported so there is less congestion and
speeding by completing innovative plans to improve the HWY
101/46W intersection, 13th overpass/16th & 24th Street freeway
ramps, Creston Road Corridor, and Airport Road/HWY 46E
intersection, and preserving agricultural lands that surround
the City by implementation of the Purple Belt Plan.
• promoting the area as a center for value-added agriculture and
medical/wellness industries by actively encouraging viticulture
investment, business, and tourism, as well as supporting
establishment of Mee Cancer Center and Twin Cities Hospital
Joint Replacement Center;
• marketing the area to investors and visitors by reinventing
and intensifying public and private promotion efforts to focus
on Paso Robles Appellation’s world class wines and vineyards,
distinctive agricultural environs, special events, and
development of year-round attractions at the Paso Robles Event
Center.
And more is expected. The community’s vision, thus its resolve,
is for the long-term. Community focus, therefore investment,
will be towards initiatives that create a future when the vast
majority of Paso Roblans have the opportunity to live, work,
shop and play in Paso Robles.
Jim App
City Manager
