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August 22, 2007
THE ESPLANADE--ANOTHER ATTACK AT CHICO'S FAMOUS ROADWAY
The City is installing, on the eastside of The Esplanade between Sixth Avenue and Lindo Channel, a mammoth storm sewer adjacent to the row of Sycamore trees. I’ve been told that the City’s Urban Forester has included in the construction specifications for the project certain requirements to protect the Sycamores and their roots, which are essential to their growth and lifespan.
If you look at the depth of the storm sewer and the method of construction, it seems as if the Urban Forester is determined to kill the Sycamores so that they can be replaced by a different variety (sort-of like what was done at the City Plaza reconstruction project).
The Esplanade needs to be protected since it works as it is, and has both a historical and a worldwide reputation, which attracts many visitors to our community.
In two of my recent Blogs (July 25th and August 9th) , I’ve discussed the need for the City (1) to continue the improvements of The Esplanade between Sixth Avenue and Lindo Channel, ( most of this portion of The Esplanade was in the unincorporated area when The Esplanade was improved in early 1960’s), and (2) to be alert to the suggestions, in connection with The Avenues Neighborhood Plan, which would make some radical changes to The Esplanade including narrowing the traffic lanes to make room for bicycles in both directions of vehicle traffic, to reverse the direction of the side drives, and other changes which make no sense.
My next Blog will comment on the General Service Department use of tree chips in the planting area on the eastside of The Esplanade. History of the use of tree chips on the Esplanade did not have a very positive result. I do applaud the continued use of tree chips in other location throughout the City.
Posted by Fred at 08:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 15, 2007
MR.CHICO VELO (and perhaps some of his fellow bicyclists travelers involved in the Avenues Neighborhood Plan) is again trying to modify the existing plan for THE ESPLANADE
The recent article in the Enterprise Record (Tuesday, August 14, 2007) indicated that one of the projects considered by the Consultants (costing the City for its services in excess of $100,000) and the neighborhood participants is a desire to make substantial modifications to THE ESPLANADE. These modifications appear to be lead by Mr. CHICO VELO (Manager of a bicycle organization located in Chico) who lives in the neighborhood. He has raised these modifications with the authors of the Boulevard Book (know worldwide), written by 3 University of California Professors of City and Regional Planning when they were recently in Chico. I don’t intend to quote their comment(s), but the polite gist was “why do you want to change what is working?”
Mr. CHICO VELO will not give-up, so the community must “keep-a-close-eye” on the Neighborhood Plan as it moves along to a final document, which will be presented to the City Council in the near future. The Council has indicated that the recommendations of the final plan will not be implemented until the plan is approved by the City Council.
Once again, as I’ve mention in a previous BLOG, it’s about time the bicyclists (I was one for more years than Mr. CHICO VELO has beem alive) start paying their annual license fee and additional fees for the improvements that they continually demand.
I know the City Staff will have some interesting comments and I hope these comments will be widely circulated in the community and fully covered by the local media.
Posted by Fred at 07:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 09, 2007
CHICO, THE CITY OF ROSES, SHOULD HAVE ITS OWN ROSE GARDEN
Marilyn Warrens, an outstanding community supporter, has for many years attempted to find a suitable location for a ROSE GARDEN, since she recognized that Chico, for many decades, has been known for its great variety of roses, and the Seal of the City of Chico includes “City of Roses”.
In recent years Marilyn has offered to provide a $100,000 to a non-profit organization to begin the development of a City of Chico ROSE GARDEN, and more recently has received a commitment of an additional $25,000 if the ROSE GARDEN and an appropriate non-profit organization can be established to continue to raise money for development and maintenance of the ROSE GARDEN.
The problem has been to find a suitable location for the ROSE GARDEN. Many sites have been investigated, with one owned by the City seems to be the most feasible site.
The site that appears to be most feasible is the 23+ acres located within Bidwell Park and is known as the Guy Kennedy Addition (Kennedy was a nephew of Anne Bidwell). This parcel is adjacent to Vallombrosa Avenue, near the intersection of Juniper Street.
Many Chicanos will recognize this parcel as the “Walnut Orchard” which was well maintained for many years. In the past decade or so it has been allowed to deteriorate to an area of dying trees with a large growth of weeds, subject to becoming a fire hazard.
Access to this land can be obtained from Petersen Memorial Drive (North Park Road), so as to prevent creating traffic or noise problems on Vallombrosa Avenue and the adjacent residential homes.
Only about 5 acres of the 23+ acres parcel, adjacent to Petersen Memorial Drive, will be needed for the ROSE GARDEN.
This location for the ROSE GARDEN can be incorporated in the Bidwell Park Master Plan, which is now being considered by the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission.
Posted by Fred at 12:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 01, 2007
USE IT OR TAKE IT DOWN--the Structual Skeleton for a sign adjacent to 35 Main Street
The Structural Skeleton for a sign (painted a faded blue), located in the sidewalk area adjacent to 35 Main Street (Chico State University property), has been without a message for several years and is estremely unattractive as you approach Big Chico Creek, The Esplanade, and Bidwell Mansion which are points of special interest to many visitors to our City.
The Skeleton should be removed or a permit secured from the City to use the sign for messages relating to programs sponsored by CSUC or the Downtown Area.
A permit from the City may require an amendment to the City’s Sign Ordinance (or a Variance), but it seems that the Planning Commission and City Council would be enthusiastic to assist the University and the Downtown Area. Both organizations have many, many programs that are of interest to the Chico Community.
Posted by Fred at 10:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack