Under Construction

Lodi Lake closed until June

About Town – TUESDAY, 2/13/24

Many people are asking why Lodi Lake is basically closed. Answer: The park is undergoing a $2.4 million improvement project, including reconstruction of the south parking lot, reconstruction of the Hughes Beach parking lot, construction of an eastern access road, replacement of the southern restroom building, new restrooms at the entrance to the Nature Area, and new playground equipment. The park is mostly fenced-off to visitors right now. Work is estimated to be done by June, according to Christina Jaromay, parks, rec, and cultural services chief. Nature Area fire mitigation work is also underway and will take the rest of the year, says Jaromay. … Following a devastating fire there a few years ago, Phase 1 of Zupo Field restoration should be done by the end of March. The $4 million project became necessary after some kids set fire to the bleachers and press box. The historic ball field on Washington Street, next to the Grape Bowl, has been a venue for pro baseball and local team sports. … Sometimes deadlines and decisions don’t mix. Last Friday we wrote that $65k was going to be spent on a consultant to help the city plan for a “quality listening initiative.” Mayor Lisa Craig indicated the listening tour’s underlying purpose was to determine what wording the city should use for a tax measure on the November ballot. “I believe that asking residents, business owners and property owners what MORE they or their visitors can bring to the table to fund city services is not just bad timing, it's also fiscally irresponsible,” she said. Turns out the city council turned thumbs down on the idea and it didn’t pass, after all.

BOARD BASH: There was a bit of drama at last Tuesday’s school board meeting. A group of students and parents had attended with hopes of expressing to the board their concerns about how the district’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program is being