By Jimmy Dominguez, Executive Editor
Construction is underway on four development projects in the city of Carson. City officials hosted a series of groundbreaking ceremonies last month to officially announce each project – all of which will be funded by State Grants and the Carson City General Fund.
“Dirt is moving in Carson,” declared Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, who said the renovation projects had been “laying around” for too long.
“We’re gonna make sure that our parks are the premium parks that were designed to be state of the art,” Davis-Holmes said. “We want our kids back into the parks.”
The first ceremony on Oct. 23 was for a $10 million-plus amphitheater, which is slated to include a new stage and community event space. The amphitheater is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2025.
The Mills Park project announced on Oct. 29 will feature several renovations, including a splash pad, shaded structures over the workout station, a new playground space, and a full-sized basketball court. The renovations are expected to be finished by May.
The highlight of the $8.5 million Foisia Park renovation announced on Oct. 30 will be a 1,000-square-foot, “Polynesian-themed” community stage and picnic area. Baseball fields will receive upgrades to the fencing, dugout, and bleacher stands, and there will be improvements to the children’s playground and outdoor fitness space. All of these renovations are scheduled to be completed by July.
With a total cost of $16 million, the Carriage Crest Park project will be the most expensive renovation project. Improvements will include three new baseball fields, three pickleball courts, two soccer fields, a volleyball court, a dog park, and new landscape and irrigation systems. According to a city news release about the project, the expansion will span approximately 14.7 acres. The city estimates all the construction will be completed by August.
Carriage Crest Park will be a cornerstone of community activity in Carson,” Davis-Holmes said during the ceremony on Oct. 31. “We at the city council are committed to creating spaces that improve the quality of life for our community and bring families and neighbors together.”
Speaking to The Bulletin, Public Works Department director Arlington C. Rodgers proclaimed that the groundbreaking ceremonies marked “a great day to be in Carson.”
“We’re doing things to increase the quality of life for all residents. Regardless of where the project is, that is the basis of how we formulate these things,” Rodgers said.
Abdallah Fakhouri, the senior manager and contractor for the amphitheater project, lauded the Carson city staff for knowing “what’s going to work for the community.”
Retired firefighter Lawrence Flinton has lived in Carson since 2009 and currently serves on the city’s public safety commission. Flinton told The Bulletin that he looked forward to the completed works, calling them a good investment for the city.
“Carson is moving forward and supporting the residents and spending the money the way it’s supposed to be spent, instead of lawsuits and stuff like that,” Flinton said. “We still have a lot of work to do, and I believe [Mayor Davis-Holmes] is on the right track.”
Other Carson residents observed the groundbreaking ceremonies from afar with mixed emotions. Angelina Macias and her son, Richard Macias, are longtime Carson residents who attended the Foisia Park event. The Maciases told The Bulletin the park holds a lot of meaning to them, but they questioned the timing of the groundbreaking events, especially so close to Election Day.
“It’s taken so long for them to start [at Foisia Park],” wondered Angelina. “This is the oldest park in Carson. It should have [started] a long time ago.”
“I think she [Mayor Davis-Holmes] saved it for a re-election,” Richard said. “How do you get more votes to be elected? You hold this off until re-election time … it doesn’t come off as a surprise, really.”
