Mayor John Evans highlighted the city's "sustainability and liveability" improvements during his 2008 State of the City address Wednesday at the DoubleTree Hotel Riverside in Garden City.
"Change used to mean what came out of slot machines," Evans said to laughter. "In 1953, our revenue source was outlawed."
Solid judgment has replaced one-armed bandits as the city's future security, the mayor said.
Among the city's accomplishments this year, Evans reported:
The proposed live/work/create district is a reality.
A "minor planned unit development" has been designed, which the city hopes will lead to a change in affordable home choices. The plan could be used to replace trailer parks with high-density housing, Evans said. Minor PUD uses pre-approved templates that permit up to 12 units on a parcel.
The library has the Valley's highest circulation rate per capita.
The Department of Public Works is in the final stages of a comprehensive infrastructure plan that will let residents know, for example, where all the city's sewer lines are.
The city has built two miles of paved, multi-purpose pathway and a Greenbelt connection on the north side of the Boise River, which eliminates the need to use State Street to get to Glenwood.
A policy of registering businesses for a $25 one-time fee.
"Garden City is still exciting, it's still progressing," Evans said. "Expect more from us next year."
Bethann Stewart: 377-6393
