to the beauty of downtown,” he adds, noting that the changes will complement existing recreational areas nearby. According to Community Development Director Patrick Piatt, the downtown area is “really quite photogenic,” with a mix of restaurants, Victorianera architecture, and historic buildings that bring character and warmth to the streets. Preserving these original structures is central to Oroville’s identity, allowing the city to retain a sense of continuity with its past. Ring adds that five major museums are located close to Montgomery Street.These include the Lott Home, an elegant Victorian residence; the Chinese Temple, an iconic site dating back to the 1850s; and the Pioneer Museum, which celebrates Oroville’s frontier spirit. “We even have a green line painted on the roadway,” Mayor Pittman notes with a smile,“so you can follow it to whichever site you want to see.”This green line leads visitors to the Oroville Dam, the tallest dam in the United States, just a few miles from downtown. LOCAL INNOVATION Oroville’s growth strategy is as much about empowering residents and local businesses as it is about attracting outside investment. One of Oroville’s latest innovations is a user-friendly, webbased platform that simplifies the planning process for residents and entrepreneurs. “We just bought a software program that allows people to go through a decision tree to map out projects—whether it’s adding a room to a house, building a home, or starting a business,” explains Piatt. The tool demystifies the approval process, giving users a clear idea of costs, requirements, and timelines. “This way, people can start thinking about what they want to do without having to come into city hall, which can often feel intimidating,” he adds. Oroville hopes to encourage more residents Instructor Jada-Simone White Fish Biologist latest Floating Classroom Students after their River float in downtown Oroville. 49 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12 OROVILLE, CA
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