FILLMORE : 9 Plans for Railroad Land to Be Reviewed

Fillmore has established a special committee to review nine development proposals submitted for a 13-acre parcel the city bought two years ago from Southern Pacific Transportation Co.

The proposals recommend ways to unite the business district and the new development between Central Avenue and Mountain View Street.

The plans also include ideas for four acres of the parcel east of Mountain View that are zoned for low-cost housing, city officials said.

The selection committee will review the designs and select three recommend to the city’s redevelopment agency, City Planner Roy Payne said.

“These initial proposals are to open our eyes and give us some vision of what could be accomplished with the property,” Payne said.

The former railroad property could be renovated to include a hotel, restaurants, retail space and other tourist-oriented ventures, Payne said.

Design concepts could also include expanding parkland in the area and building a new city hall, Payne said.

Redevelopment money will cover the cost of planning the development, Payne said, but the entire project will most likely be constructed with public and private funds.

“After we select a firm and negotiate a contract, we will begin a public comment period for all planned development,” Payne said.

The nine designs are on display through Feb. 24 at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce.