With the holiday season right around the corner, the City of Santa Paula, the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Property Business Improvement District (PBID) have partnered together to make improvements to Downtown Santa Paula in time for the holidays! Residents of Santa Paula can look forward to clean, updated community spaces to enjoy.
As part of these improvements, the City will repave Main Street beginning December 6th from 7th to 12th streets in order to make the Downtown area more inviting for residents to visit local shops and restaurants. Along with its extensive repavement project, the City has also begun to improve the area’s sidewalks by having arborists address protruding roots that damage the walkways and prevent the proper placement of tree grates. The City also funded the recently-completed steam cleaning work in Downtown Santa Paula to maintain the safety and sanitation of the area. Many residents may also notice the City’s redesigned holiday banners and new banner hardware throughout the Downtown area. Residents and visitors are encouraged to utilize these updated areas to create lasting and enduring memories with family and friends and shop local this holiday season.
The Downtown Property Business Improvement District (PBID), which has spearheaded these improvements, prioritizes the development of local businesses through the improvement and renewal of infrastructure, increased visibility and maintenance of safe and clean streets. PBID was formed in 2019 when downtown property owners voted to support financing activities and amenities to improve the area. The district runs along Main Street from 8th to 10th Street as well as down 10th Street to Ventura Street. The PBID Board is comprised of local property and business owners as well as community leaders.
In addition to the exciting new Downtown improvements, the City’s Parks & Recreation Department through CityCorp in partnership with the PBID continues its beautification efforts in the area by employing local youth from our community to help clean up the downtown area including litter and weed abatement, gutter cleaning, as well as graffiti and sidewalk gum removal every Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. PBID has also previously partnered with the Parks & Recreation for its past Santa Paula Beautiful Events as well as with the City to sponsor an End of Summer Flash Mob in September 2021.
Many of these improvements have already begun in time for the start of the holiday season, with Downtown serving as home to several holiday events and activities, such as the Holiday Parade this past weekend or the upcoming daily light show at the Train Depot. Residents can stop by the Train Depot beginning at dusk to see a Christmas-themed light show each night in December. Other events this holiday season include the annual Gingerbread House Contest and the Come See Santa on December 11, where residents can come enjoy a pancake breakfast and take photos with the one and only Santa Claus! In partnership with the Ventura County Fire Department and Santa Paula Police Department, the City will also host a Santa Tour, where Santa along with his elves and Mrs. Claus will be riding through the community on an antique fire truck to visit with the nice boys and girls of Santa Paula. Santa will travel through Santa Paula beginning on December 16 through December 18.
Questions regarding the City’s upcoming Christmas events can be directed to the Santa Paula Parks and Recreation Department at (805) 933-4226. Families are encouraged to participate in these festivities to contribute to making Downtown Santa Paula merry and bright this holiday season. By investing in the community, the City hopes to help create a memorable 2021 winter season for all those spending the holidays in Santa Paula!