City celebrates 31st birthday
Santa Clarita has grown to be 3rd largest city in county
Happy birthday, Santa Clarita. The city that has grown to be the third-largest city in Los Angeles County turns 31 years old today.
“Santa Clarita is remarkable in its 31 years of existence,” said Councilwoman Laurene Weste.
When the city was formed in 1987, its size was only 39 square miles, made up by the communities of Valencia, Newhall, Saugus and Canyon Country. Today, Santa Clarita is more than 60 square miles, thanks to the addition of more than 30 neighborhoods.
On Tuesday at City Hall, Santa Clarita celebrated its birthday, as well as the appointment of new Mayor Marsha McLean and Mayor Pro Tem Cameron Smyth.
“I remember sitting at the gym at (College of the Canyons) when my dad presided over the first City Council meeting,” Smyth said. “I think he and the other COC founders would be proud of the city 31 years later.”
Last year, the city celebrated big for its 30th-year milestone. Staff celebrated with the public throughout 2017 by offering the public birthday-themed events and contents.
Santa Clarita’s 30th-anniversary webpage highlights how funds have enabled the city to offer new facilities, programs and services, which include thousands of miles of preserved open space, three Metrolink Stations and anti-drug programs for youth.
But a lot has been accomplished since 2017, Smyth pointed out, which indicates a busy year ahead.
“Moving forward, we have a lot of great projects in the works like the new SCV Sheriff’s Station, fire station and the Newhall Laemmle Theatre,” he said. “It may not look glamorous now but these are the nuts and bolts of what makes our city so great.”
Councilman Bob Kellar agreed, saying, “We have a lot of great things on the drawing board, and they’ll be accomplished to continue adding to the quality of life in Santa Clarita.”