Tulare County Measure R Update: Revenues Up 13%
Tulare County voter-approved sales tax Measure R funds local transportation projects. In a measure of an improved economy a TCAG report says revenue received so far this fiscal year is up 13% through August.Two big projects funded through the program are the widening of Rd 80 from Visalia to Dinuba and Ave 416 widening from Dinuba west to the Fresno County line.Measure R is also expected to front $6.66 million to begin right-of-way acquisition in Goshen this year to build the new Betty Drive interchange.
Home Building Permit Values Rise 66% In Visalia
The value of new home building permits issued in Visalia through the first 8 months of the year are up 66% compared to the same period last year. The value of the construction rose to $60.2 million so far this year compared to $36.2 million through August 2012. The numbers are up a less dramatic 36% to 252 new units compared to 181 homes permitted by August of 2012. The message appears to be that Visalia builders are constructing more mid-range homes instead of starters.
Visalia Carrows Restaurant Could Become Black Bear Diner
The owners of Black Bear Diner have filed preliminary plans to remodel the Carrows Restaurant on Mooney Blvd. Sources with the company said they could not comment. Carrows was in Tulare that closed and became a Black Bear Diner some years ago. Carrows is owned by a Japanese company Zensho Co., Ltd., which has operated Coco’s Japan for many years.
Black Bear Diner is California chain launched in the mid 90s in Shasta and now sports around 60 locations that include Porterville ,Tulare and Hanford. Like Carrows they offer comfort food but in a down home atmosphere.. The chain has several local connections including the fact that Visalia muralist Colleen Mitchell-Veyna has done over 20 murals in Black Bear Diner locations in the past 10 years.