Vista

In another step toward revitalizing Vista’s traffic-choked downtown, the City Council has decided to seek federal block grant money to finance improvements in the center city. The council Monday night voted 3-1, with Mayor Mike Flick absent, to approve an application for a $240,000 block grant to launch a long-range revitalization program. Councilman Lloyd von Haden opposed the action, saying he believes downtown property owners--not the local or federal government--should pay for improvements. About $50,000 of the money will be spent on planning, and the rest used for engineering work on a plan to reroute West Vista Way around downtown. City officials hope to increase parking and reduce congestion in the downtown district by redirecting traffic. The council’s action was taken at the request of the Citizens Downtown Master Plan Committee, which is working on a major face lift for the city.