Oroville, CALIF. — There’s a lot of things coming together, Oroville mayor David Pittman says.
He says the city is ushering in 2024 with a list of new improvements and projects on the docket, including updates to recreation, roads, housing, and safety.
Pittman says the city just accepted a bid for a mobile surveillance trailer to help cut down on car break-ins in downtown and near the Northwest Lineman College.
It’s not just camera monitoring; it also has thermal imaging so we have all the bases covered, Pittman said. The community has an expectation of having your car safe and secure when you go in to shop.
Pittman also says the city is making changes to code enforcement in an attempt to get a handle on homelessness, as the Mission Esperanza Project begins to gain traction. The shelter program was announced in 2022 to offer transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness.
That contract will start this year and I know most of the inventory is also already on-site, Pittman said. Every community has difficulty with this particular problem, but between our police department, our code enforcement department, which is very active in removing the camps. We will hopefully steer that population to the Mission Esperanza Project as a much more desirable location than a public street or a public park.
In addition to street repaving beginning soon, Pittman adds that the city will also be moving its public works corporation yard in the coming weeks.
It’s a much bigger facility and an existing facility. That will be a nice thing for our workers, to have a decent place to come to work and have all their apparatus under cover, he said. We haven’t done this in 70 years.
Pittman says the city still faces challenges when it comes to growth. It’s something, he says, a recent rebranding effort might help address. Last year, the city contracted with a firm to design multiple versions of an updated logo in an effort to boost tourism and economic development. Rebranding is still ongoing.
We have the real estate, we have the water supply, we have the capacity and the infrastructure to support more homes, he said.
Oroville recently hit its Regional Housing Needs Allocation requirement for affordable housing, but Pittman says they’re not looking for developers to build market-rate housing.
The city of Oroville in California is gearing up for an exciting year ahead as it welcomes 2024 with a host of improvements and projects on its agenda. Mayor David Pittman is optimistic about the developments, highlighting updates to recreation, roads, housing, and safety. One such project includes the acquisition of a mobile surveillance trailer equipped with thermal imaging to combat car break-ins in downtown and near the Northwest Lineman College.
For Pittman, addressing homelessness is a top priority. He revealed changes to the city’s code enforcement, directing efforts towards the Mission Esperanza Project. This program offers transitional housing for the homeless, and with the contract set to start this year, the inventory is largely in place. Pittman expressed hope that by actively removing encampments and providing a more desirable location through the Mission Esperanza Project, the city can tackle this challenging issue.
In addition to these initiatives, Oroville is set to embark on street repaving and will soon relocate its public works corporation yard. The move to a larger, existing facility will provide an improved working environment for employees, complete with sufficient space to house their equipment. This move represents the first upgrade in over 70 years, highlighting the city’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure.
While Oroville is making strides in various areas, Pittman acknowledges that growth remains a significant challenge. The city recently fulfilled its Regional Housing Needs Allocation requirement for affordable housing; however, Pittman emphasized that they are not seeking developers to construct market-rate housing. Moreover, Oroville has undertaken a rebranding effort aimed at boosting tourism and economic development. The city worked with a firm to design updated logo options, with the project still ongoing.
With its forthcoming improvements and commitments, Oroville is positioning itself to thrive in the coming years. Mayor Pittman believes the city possesses the necessary resources, including available real estate, a stable water supply, and ample infrastructure, to support further housing development. As Oroville evolves, it hopes to create a vibrant, inviting community that accommodates the needs and aspirations of both residents and visitors alike.
