City Seeks Advice on Downtown Revitalization : Planning: A consultant is hired to bring out ideas from residents, merchants and other groups.

SANTA CLARITA —  Santa Clarita has begun efforts to revitalize its old downtown by looking to residents, merchants and other interest groups for advice.

The city is paying Jeff Oberdorfer and Associates $35,000 to develop a process for residents, senior citizens, business groups, property owners, historical society members and others to guide the resurrection of east Newhall. Interviews are under way.

“I think people are looking at developing a focus for the downtown area to compete with satellite shopping areas that have appeared in the past five to six years,” said urban planning consultant Jeff Oberdorfer.

Bob Martin, secretary of the Downtown Newhall Merchants Assn., agreed that new Santa Clarita shopping malls and the Valencia Town Center have pulled customers away from the onetime business hub.

“The shopping centers have drawn business probably because they are new buildings and have good parking, and they’re laid out properly,” Martin said.

No schedule has been set for the overall revitalization of the area, said Gail Foy, city public information officer.

Initial interviews of merchants and residents revealed the desire to make downtown’s San Fernando Road more attractive to new businesses. Those interviewed also expressed concerns about pedestrian safety, availability of day care, the lack of area parks, gathering of dayworkers and the proliferation of absentee landlords.

A common suggestion has been to reinforce Newhall’s heritage with a Western theme, expanding upon the existing William S. Hart Park and annual Walk of Western Stars event.

Los Angeles County funded improvements to the Newhall community in the early 1980s that included installation of sidewalks, park benches and trees and low-interest loans that encouraged businesses to improve their facades, Martin said.

Oberdorfer said he would present the Santa Clarita City Council in about five months with a plan to involve the different interest groups in the revitalization program.

In preparation for the plan, groups are scheduled to meet in mid-June and workshops featuring the various interest groups are set for July.