“City of Tracy is in fine shape,” Ives said, regarding the city’s focus to boost local commerce. “The condition of the city, as you will see, I think we are doing well.”
Ives said cities and towns have felt the impacts of a housing crisis and legislators in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., but Tracy officials have kept their focus on making the city a safe, prosperous place to raise families.
Redevelopment enabled officials to shape Tracy in the past, Ives said, with the development of such projects as the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, Sixth Street Plaza and low-income housing. Now that financing avenue has been abolished by the state government, he said community leaders are being challenged to find new ways to keep Tracy prosperous.
“We lost a big tool,” he said. “That makes it hard for us.”
On the plus side, Ives said the national economy is slowly improving. He added that over the past year job growth is up, sales tax revenues are outpacing projections and new businesses have found a home in Tracy.
He also touted public safety, pointing to statistics that show decreasing levels of crime.
Ives also said Measure E gives the city reason to be optimistic. That ballot measure, a half-a-cent sales tax passed by voters in 2010, gave city leaders time to coordinate the for the future. But preparations still need to be made for when the measure expires in 2016, Ives said.
One way Tracy has grown is through private investment, Ives said, with companies like Mi Pueblo Food Center, Squeeze Inn restaurant and Round Table Pizza expanding into the city. He said there has also been a boom at West Valley Mall, with retail space filled and vacancies awaiting new businesses.
Ives said that years ago, an economist once told city officials that Tracy would grow by housing first, which would be followed by retail and then industrial opportunities. He said this job-creation process has taken longer than city officials originally planned, but they are working to develop land so the city is ready for future businesses that will create more jobs.
He called it a long-term effort that will be critical as the economic recovery builds steam. He said this will in turn make Tracy inviting to companies who are looking to relocate.
“The city of Tracy is business friendly,” Ives said, making a personal commitment to improve Tracy’s welfare each day. “We’re poised for great things.”
• See Friday’s edition of the Tracy Press for more on the State of the City
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Whomever thought of that one, wasn't paying for it.
We sure would not want to lose that downtown appeal.
People will come from far and wide just to drive around that circle. got a little park right out front. When are we going to pay to have your building renovated? Got any new plans for revitalization?
Propensity towards understatement....
Someone is his fussy self this morning. You've asked many irrational questions and provided even less insight than usual.
( is that possible? maybe someone copt his moniker...)
If you really wanted answers, why not start by asking questions of the appropriate entity since they routinely answer the pertinent... and even yours.
"Too bad for the court house though."
In years gone by, yes. Today, they appear to be a criminal enterprise zone and a social degradation magnet for agencies as evidenced by the surrounding area courthouses or.... haven't you taken time to examine them?
"We sure would not want to lose that downtown appeal."
a point to agree upon.
"When are we going to pay to have your building renovated?"
When did you ever?
"Got any new plans for revitalization?"
Yes.
"Downtown Tracy is an epic fail."
Vallejo and Stockton's would then be designated as... Really Epic Fails?
We would be so much less ill informed had we not the "nattering nabobs of negativism".
Thank for the insights from rumor uncontrolled. What did you think of the presentation? Did you attend?
Why can't the city planners consult with cities such as Livermore, San Ramon, or Pleasanton on how they got it right in terms of creating a safe, social atmosphere where people can go out and enjoy the nightlife within their city after hours without fear of dealing with bar fights and riff raff, as well as the gang element within that area of Central Ave. What quality venues consistently book the Grand theater?
Drive out to Livermore on any given evening and see what their nightlife is as opposed to ours.
Ives...you may be optimistic, but the proof is evident. Downtown Tracy is an epic fail.
Gottchalks --> Macys
Firkin Beaver --> Sports Bar
Ross -- Furniture store
I don't know.
Anyway, "Why can't the city planners consult with cities such as Livermore?"
Because someone always gets up and bemoans the times when there is a consultant in town and they even go a step further to accuse the consultant of being friends of the city manager or the Elks club or the Moose lodge or some other goofy gripe.
Besides, if you had been there and got involved with discussions among the participants, then you might have known that they are planning a water fountain at 6th and Central.
Oh, and let's see nightlife in Livermore. Yes, a romantic dinner next to a store that sell sex toys. That only beats Vegas simply because I don't have to drive as far and I save fuel costs. All Livermore needs now is an Elvis chappel where you can get hitched after a few drinks.
Personally, I'd rather stay home and host a tupperware party than eat my dinner on the sidewalk while watching people shop for adult movies in Livermore. And the parking in Livermore is a disaster.
Ten blocks from any restaurant and a broken side mirror afterwards.
Regarding your other references;
Gottchalks --> Macy's equals an even exchange.
Firkin Beaver for --> Sports Bar equals an even exchange.
Ross --> Furniture store is an even exchange.
So I must ask, where is the increase Mayor Ives speaks of? It appears we have lost out on the Amazon project, we have missed out on the potential opportunities we were informed of by the Mayor last year and to date there has been no significant turn around in the City's economy.
Simply more foreclosures, more lost jobs and an increase in the cost of city services.. This doesn't equate to such a rosey picture after all.
Just more of "The same old song and dance" from Mayor Ives.