Atascadero Mayor’s Vision for 2026
By Atascadero News · Thu Jan 29 2026
As I think about what 2026 holds for Atascadero, I’d like to say a few things about the year soon to be ending. 2025 was an especially good year with many accomplishments and positive changes that have set the stage for what I expect to see in 2026.
Most noteworthy and noticeable to our residents and visitors alike is the completion of the downtown enhancement project, which we marked with a celebratory block party in June. I am pleased that even many skeptics of the project now acknowledge to me how attractive the area is and how they appreciate the additional free parking and the inviting feeling the downtown presents.
In 2026, I expect to see our downtown improvements encourage further private sector investments that will bring more new businesses and make our downtown more thriving than ever.
In 2025, we embarked on our biggest public safety project ever: The city signed a $30 million contract to replace the 70-year-old Fire Station #1 and update the nearly 40-year-old Police Station and Fire Station #2. In 2026, the crews manning FS1 will move to temporary quarters at the rear of the National Guard armory while the old station is torn down to make way for a new and larger facility. While we are only leasing the armory grounds at this time, the state legislature passed and the governor signed a bill in October that will give the city the opportunity to purchase the armory property permanently for city use. We hope to accomplish this transaction during 2026.
To fund the public safety project, bonds were issued that will be paid back using a portion of the revenue from the one-cent sales tax voters approved in 2020. I am pleased and proud that the city received a AA- rating for the bonds that reflects our financial stability and good management and will save over $100,000 in interest costs annually for the next 30 years.
We are very proud of our Central Coast Zoo Atascadero for achieving a full five-year unconditional accreditation renewal from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This is not a routine accomplishment. It was an extraordinary outcome due to the hard work and professional credibility of Zoo Director Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, the zoo staff, the entire city team, the Friends of the Zoo, and other volunteers. AZA accreditation is critical to the future success of the zoo in 2026 and beyond.
2026 will see the completion of a new zoo exhibit: The small city-owned parcel next to the 101 southbound offramp at Morro Road that had once been a haven for litter and encampments will be turned into butterfly habitat focused on inviting Monarch butterflies to stop off in Atascadero during their migrations. It should open to the public in 2026.
We continue to strive to make the City of Atascadero as welcoming and easy to deal with as possible for businesses wishing to open in our town. We are appreciative of the continued flow of private investment in Atascadero in 2025 and expect more of the same in 2026. It is gratifying to watch the opening of the new Valley Fresh Market and the ongoing development at Del Rio and El Camino Real. In 2026 look for more projects to break ground in the Del Rio area and the south end of town at Dove Creek and smaller projects throughout the city.
Volunteer groups are a critical part of what makes Atascadero a wonderful and special place to live. I am excited to report on one group’s success. The Atascadero Printery Foundation has made substantial progress on their path to restoring that historic building. In November, the group held its first event inside the building in a room that has undergone earthquake retrofitting. Look for more progress in 2026 and consider joining one of the many volunteer organizations that make Atascadero better.
While I am very happy and sincerely upbeat about the overall state of our city, there is one dark cloud on the horizon. Our Waste Water Treatment Plant is nearing capacity and uses technology and processes that are no longer permitted. New state water board regulations, some of which I believe are excessively restrictive, will require an entirely new and very expensive facility to be built in the next three to five years. As we have seen in other SLO County communities, these new facilities result in much higher sewer bills for residents. While the city will push for relief from the most costly requirements, and will work with partner agencies, such as the Atascadero State Hospital, to pursue the most efficient options, I am afraid that substantially increased sewer bills may lie in the future.
I wish everyone a wonderful 2026, and it is my honor to serve as Mayor of Atascadero.
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