The city of Solvang is looking at “at opportunities to enhance revenue sources by increasing experiential tourism, incentivizing longer tourist stays, and increasing spending patterns.”
In order to facilitate this objective, the city is proposing to raze the village’s beloved Veteran’s Memorial Hall (built in 1936), the county superior courtroom, the Sheriff’s substation, the public library, the 3rd District supervisor’s offices and the senior center, plus adjoining parcels, and replace them with a privately developed shopping mall.
Those of us opposed to this development (and there are many) do not doubt the good intentions of the mayor and some of the council members to make ends meet, but this proposed development is a prime example of poor judgment and planning.