(The following story by Ethan Daniel Lindsey appeared on The Californian website on December 30.)
SALINAS, Calif. — Salinas is still searching for a way to add some pizzazz to its landscape after unsuccessful efforts to spruce up the city’s major entranceways.
Two years ago, Ernie Mill, then a board member of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce and now its president, spearheaded an effort to add decorative welcoming signage along Highway 101. In January, the city proposed a plan to beautify the aging train bridge over Main Street north of Market. Both plans have hit significant roadblocks.
“We got a big N-O from Union Pacific,” said Alan Stumpf, redevelopment project manager, referring to a joint plan from the city, Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and the National Steinbeck Center to paint and tile the ugly bridge.
Union Pacific Railroad put the kibosh on the project because of liability concerns, said spokesman John Bromely.
Some of the major backers, including SVMHS Chief Executive Officer Sam Downing, still believe they can find a way to overcome the hurdles and beautify the city’s main arteries.
City Councilwoman Jyl Lutes said she was very disappointed by the Union Pacific decision but had expected it.
“UP is so notoriously difficult to work with, it’s absolutely ridiculous,” Lutes said Monday. “We have wanted to do something like that for years. … I just think that there is so much potential.”
John Cerney, a Salinas artist famous for his giant cut-outs of farm workers, was slated to decorate the bridge using ceramics, tile and paint. He said it may have been for the best when the project fell through because his plans for the design were very ambitious.
“It’s not my normal material, and I couldn’t match the colors like I thought I could,” Cerney said. “The Salinas Gateways Project (along Highway 101) is also my kind of thing, like a big ‘Welcome to Salinas’ sign as they drive in.”
Mill said he spent months looking at various locations to place the signs along the main highway entrances north and south of the city, but no viable plan emerged.
“Basically, we decided the community wanted it and felt that it is a need, but in the end, we couldn’t find any property owner that would accept the signs on their property,” he said. “And to do anything on Caltrans (property) is basically impossible.
“So it’s on hold until we can find some property owners that would allow it on their land.”
Lutes said the project is necessary for a city of Salinas’ size, but the tight city budget makes it impossible to accomplish.
“I don’t think that’s the job of the city now,” she said. “We are a very poor city, and we need to provide the basic services.”
Downing said he will continue to push to revitalize the bridge’s image.
“I’ve always thought it was such a focal point when you go into the city, and it could be such a positive one,” he said. “The least they could do is something like paint it a neutral color.”
Mill said he spent months looking at various locations to place the signs along the main highway entrances north and south of the city, but no viable plan emerged.
“Basically, we decided the community wanted it and felt that it is a need, but in the end, we couldn’t find any property owner that would accept the signs on their property,” he said. “And to do anything on Caltrans (property) is basically impossible.
“So it’s on hold until we can find some property owners that would allow it on their land.”
Lutes said the project is necessary for a city of Salinas’ size, but the tight city budget makes it impossible to accomplish.
“I don’t think that’s the job of the city now,” she said. “We are a very poor city, and we need to provide the basic services.”
Downing said he will continue to push to revitalize the bridge’s image.