David Keller: City neglecting to take care of Patterson

First the positive: The city of Patterson has been a leader throughout the region in bringing new businesses to Stanislaus County while increasing its tax base and employment. City leaders are rightly proud of their efforts, landing powerhouse job generators such as Amazon and Restoration Hardware.

The regional benefits are obvious when one observes commuters snaking in and out of town from all directions in eight-hour shifts.

Now the rest: In spite of these great successes, there seems to be a paralysis in caring for our once beautiful historical downtown district.

In just a few short years, downtown Patterson has become overrun with a population that has homesteaded several large downtown spaces, including both North and South parks at the east entrance to the city.

As a lifelong resident of this city, my motivation to write arrived a few days ago when I observed one unfortunate soul taking up residence within the entryway of Patterson’s original land office building. The Center Building is located across from City Hall and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. In addition to its most recent occupant, it is also the home of the Patterson Historical Society & Museum.

In spite of engaging consultants recently to conduct a “town hall” revitalization of Patterson’s downtown historical business district, conditions continue to spiral downward.

It goes beyond the city’s burgeoning homeless population.

In a quick count on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, I found 43 city streetlights out in Patterson’s downtown district. Many areas in downtown Patterson are completely dark at night. Lights are out everywhere, including the sheriff’s station and the fire station as well as all of the lights in North and South parks. In addition, there is a stream of garbage spilling out of bins throughout downtown city alleys and open spaces.

Homelessness has become an intractable issue everywhere in the Valley, and there are no easy solutions. I applaud recent efforts working toward a comprehensive regional approach.

Notwithstanding the time and effort it takes to develop such far-reaching solutions, we can do much to improve our community in the interim.

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 12:49 PM with the headline "David Keller: City neglecting to take care of Patterson."