Salida Mayor Dan Shore called 2023 “a year to remember” in an open letter to the community.
2023 was an eventful and exciting year for Salida! We continued to experience fast-paced change, and I am so grateful to have the support of an incredible team of professionals. While it is the job of the City Council to set policy direction, it is our stellar staff who executes that strategy. A major motivation for me taking on the responsibility of a second term is knowing that I am supported by people who care so much and are so invested in our community!
In 2023, we witnessed significant investments in the future of Salida. While discussion around a new fire station started in 2014, we broke ground on the facility in early November. Living through the Decker Fire in 2019 drove home the importance of upgrading and expanding our firefighting capabilities.
We were able to definitively address community concerns regarding the blighted buildings at 1st and D Streets. After a lengthy legal process, the City acquired those buildings through the eminent domain process. As many of you know, those buildings have been demolished and a large, empty lot remains. We will be working in conjunction with Artspace to create 19 workforce apartment units, which will provide much-needed housing to the community!
We went through an arduous planning process to create a vision for the South Ark Neighborhood. After soliciting meaningful community feedback, we are ready to turn that vision into a reality. As it stands, we plan to build 400 housing units, with 200 being deed-restricted to provide workforce housing in perpetuity. In addition, 2/3 of the approximately 100 acres on the site will be dedicated to open space and recreation.
Finally, I want to thank departing City Council members Jane Templeton, Mike Pollock, and Treasurer Merrell Bergin for their contributions over the past four years. Your service to Salida is greatly appreciated. I also want to welcome new City Council members Suzanne Fontana, Aaron Stephens, and Treasurer Ben Gilling. I appreciate your willingness to step up and serve our community.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, Salida! I look forward to serving the community and working with so many of you to accomplish our collective goals in 2024.
Sincerely,
Mayor Dan Shore
