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Old Town Monrovia Report
Community Feb 14, 2018
- Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
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– Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
Pam Fitzpatrick
We had an interesting report from City Manager Oliver Chi at this month’s MOTAB (Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board) meeting. According to predictions from SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments), Southern California is likely to see a population growth of 11 million in the next 25 years, and much of that increase will be seen very near to home. We’re short on housing, with prices skyrocketing to an unsustainable level, and we are in the middle of a continuing drought, necessitating the purchase of water at a very high rate.
Oliver described Monrovia’s plan of action — called “Go Monrovia!” — as “balanced growth”, and he explained several of the components, including planned housing around the Old Town core, charging new developments 34% higher water rates than pre-existing housing and business, and a partnership with Lyft. The part of the plan that will really be noticeable in Old Town (if approved by City Council next week) will be the introduction of “Limebikes” into town. The plan will involve lime green bikes situated all over town, with many in Old Town, which can be rented at the rate of $1.00 per ½ hour, then returned ANYWHERE. That’s right, ANYWHERE. There will be no dedicated pick-up or drop-off spots – the user will simply download the Lime app, register, pay, and be given a code to unlock the nearest bike which will appear on the user’s screen sounds absolutely intriguing to me. The bikes could be available as soon as next month if approved.
Our 2018 event schedule is growing, so we’ll start with Friday, March 16th and the St. Baldrick’s Old Town Fuzz Fest. Dominique Strivings (3 Beauty Bar on S. Myrtle) is the organizer, and is also a “Shavee” every year. So, Dominique, along with last’s year’s top fundraiser “Shavee,” Chris Shevlin, will join with City Manager Oliver Chi for a fun-to-watch head-shaving. Want to pledge? Donate funds? Check out FB at www.OTMFuzzFest.com Great event to support cancer research!
Next on the calendar is our 2nd Monrovia Old Town Wine Walk to be held on April 21st from 6 -9 p.m. If you liked last year’s event, you’ll love this year’s event. I, personally, have been trying to bend Luke’s arm (our Von’s wine master) to get us some special bottles again this year. And, of course, May brings back our traditional Monrovia Days celebration in Library Park. I’ll share more details as the event draws closer, but you can go to www.cityofmonrovia.org for more info. I don’t have any info on Kiwanis’ Taste of Old Town yet, which I assume will be on a Sunday this coming August. Then, come September Old Town will host the 29th Annual Street Rods Forever Car Show. This year’s event will be held on Myrtle between Chestnut and Palm from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
And, of course, Street Fair goes on, as always, every Friday night. There’s still talk about moving the fair north to the 300 block, but I’m told nothing will happen without a full and complete canvassing of Old Town Merchants. Wonder how that will work….?
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