Azusa, California

AZUSA , CAL I FORNI A live, work, and recreate in Azusa.” Gonzalez adds, “Generations of families that have been here for decades are now beginning to realize that it’s okay to grow and be part of the conversation. Children and grandchildren of those living here understand that they can shape their future by getting involved and asking for new amenities that they’d like to have here so they don’t have to go outside the city.” “Not only is that renaissance visible to people when they drive or walk through the city, or as they hear about these projects that are in the works or close to construction beginning, but also a renaissance within City Hall, as well,” says Marquez. “We’re charting a new path forward with how we approach economic development. For example, we’re making sure that processes are clear, eliminating any questions that folks may have, and giving them as much information upfront, so that they don’t have to wonder what sort of steps are next in the process. So, everything is clear as can be. It’s really been a focus of ours over the last several months.” “Nothing kills a project better than delay or bad information,” Gonzalez adds. “Our job at City Hall is to make it reasonable and predictable. City Council recognizes what policies they need to introduce, or change, to increase the type of industry we want to attract here. And then, we also work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to provide the support to local owner-operated businesses, because they need to be part of the mix. It’s the small businesses that are the heartbeat of cities.” “One of the tasks that we’ve assigned in our department, Economic and Community Development, is to look along the major corridors in the city for underutilized sites and start doing ‘economic gardening’– figuring out ways how we can revitalize these corridors even if it’s one block or one site at a time,” Marquez explains. “We realize how important it is to do that. We understand that doing things as simple as adding more street furniture, creates more pedestrian traffic, which