State of the City Address Biggest project is Walmart Supercenter, to open in 2019
The year 2017 has been good to Porterville, and Vice Mayor Brian Ward said at the annual State of the City Address that next year is going to be even better.
“[The year] 2017 has been a blessed year for our community and we look forward to next year with the anticipation of even better times to come,” said Ward, who spoke on behalf of Mayor Milt Stowe, who was not at the event, which was held at Galaxy Theatres Porterville.
During Ward’s speech, which took place at the city’s monthly First Friday Coffee event sponsored by the Porterville Chamber of Commerce, he highlighted a number of accomplishments that occurred this year and hyped up the crowd of what’s to come in 2018. A few achievements by the city this year include the city’s purchase of the former Citibank building on D Street, which is planned to be converted into a state-ofthe-art animal shelter; Porterville Police Chief Eric Kroutil awarding the Medal of Valor, the highest honor a chief can give, to two officers involved in a shooting in August 2016; the hiring of David Lapere as fire chief of the Porterville Fire Department; the addition of San Joaquin Valley College; and the passing of an amendment to Measure R, which opened up $20 million in funding for bike and pedestrian projects over the next 20 years.
Ward noted that the Measure R funds will also go to help improve city roads.
In terms of next year, Ward said things are lining up to be an exciting year for the retail growth for Porterville with Aldi, Chipotle and The Habit Burger Grill slated to open. Ward said the city will also get to see The Vault Bar & Grill move to its new, larger location next year.
“We continue to work long term on retail growth,” Ward said, adding, “Faith and persistence pays off.”
Faith and persistence pays off indeed, especially now that the Walmart Supercenter has informed the city that they will be submitting for building permits in the spring of 2018 with the intention of breaking ground in late fall with a 2019 opening.
“This is over a decade in the making and we are fortunate and blessed,” Ward said.
As far as retail development this year, Ward said the city saw the addition of the new Smart & Final Extra!, Tractor Supply Company, Nanlangka Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar, Chingons Tacos, Spoons Frozen Yogurt, Los Trigales and Deli Delicious.
In addition to the Walmart Supercenter, Ward said another big project expected to make headway next year is Greenpower Motor Company, which held its ground breaking ceremony on
June 2 in conjunction with the California Air Resources Board. Ward said the city was awarded with a $9.5 million Cap and Trade grant to purchase 10, zero-emission transit buses and the supportive infrastructure. Ward said the city will receive the first two buses in early 2018 with the remainder to follow.
Expected to be completed next spring, Ward said, is work on the Jaye Street Bridge project. He also noted that the South County Detention Facility, which will house 500 inmates and create over 100 new employment opportunities, is also expected to be completed and open next year.
“[The year] 2018 is lining up to be an exciting year,” Ward said.
Ward said several other projects planned for next year include renovations at the city library with the remodeling of the upstairs restroom and the addition of a family restroom downstairs, a nine-hole disc golf course at Murry Park, as well as a shade structure at the upper playground and a new shade structure on the east side of the pool.
In addition to recognizing Stephanie Cortez, who announced she was stepping down as CEO of the Porterville Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, Ramona Chiapa was also recognized for her work as the chair of the Chamber board of directors for the 2017
fiscal year.
“Ramona led the board, staff and volunteers to celebrate 16 ribbon cutting ceremonies, welcomed 10,000 Irish Festival attendees and 135 vendors, and championed the Porterville Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to promote the community and strengthen the economy,” Ward said.
Also recognized during the event were two outstanding businesses — S.T.O.P. Alarm Inc., and PSW — and two legacy businesses — Hoagie’s Heroes Sandwiches and Billiou’s.
As for accomplishments, Ward highlighted the city’s finance department being awarded the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 27th year in a row, the fire department’s Fill the Boot Campaign, which raised over $18,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the completion of phase one of the Veterans Park Trail with an Ada-accessible trail that includes solar lighting and 23 benches, which was a project the Pandya Family Foundation spearheaded.
“A lot of the success that we have in our community is due to you folks right here,” Ward said. “Without you and your support, the city government wouldn’t be able to be as successful as it is so thank you so much for all that you do.”