By City Manager Ken Striplin
For 40 years, the City of Santa Clarita has worked diligently to uphold and maintain the exceptional quality of life that residents, businesses and our entire community have come to appreciate. Every decision made by the City Council is approached with careful consideration, transparency and a commitment to listening to those who call Santa Clarita home. Our goal is to make thoughtful decisions that stand the test of time and ensure that future generations will continue to love and enjoy our community.
That is why when proposals come along that don’t align with our vision, we want to ensure that the community has a chance to weigh in. One of those proposals is the eight-story courthouse the State of California wants to build at the intersection of McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard. The proposed courthouse was introduced without advance discussion or input from the City. A project of this scale has the potential to significantly affect the surrounding community, including traffic congestion, parking, public safety and the overall quality of life for residents and businesses.
The City Council has expressed opposition to the proposed location, and the City has identified alternative sites that could better accommodate the courthouse while reducing impacts on the community. However, the State Judiciary has rejected these alternatives.
Now is the time to speak up and let us know what you think about this proposed courthouse. The City is hosting a Community Meeting on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. at the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center, located at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road. During this meeting, attendees will receive an overview of the proposed courthouse, learn about the City’s actions to date and hear about the State’s responses to the City’s concerns. Then, most importantly, residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide crucial feedback.
Many of you regularly travel through this City intersection to go to the Valencia Town Center, reach the I-5 freeway, visit your favorite shop or restaurant or simply as part of your daily journey through town. Think how many additional vehicles will also be in that area if the 24-courtroom facility is constructed. I encourage residents, neighborhood associations, local businesses and community members to attend. Understanding the details of this proposal and sharing your insights are vital as the City continues to assess the potential impacts of the project.
The proposed courthouse raises important questions about traffic, public safety and the surrounding community. We want to know what you think. I hope you will join us at the community meeting and take part in this discussion. For more information, please visit SantaClarita.gov.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
