‘Barstow Beautiful'

BARSTOW • Locals said history and heritage were among the most important elements of the city’s landscape design at Tuesday’s “Barstow Beautiful” community meeting.

The meeting was the first of three led by Lawrence R. Moss & Associates, the firm tasked with developing a consistent landscape and architectural theme for Barstow. City Council approved working with the firm in October and budgeted $50,000 for the project. By the third meeting, the firm will present a plan that includes consistent paving, lighting, planting, signage and color for the city that would reflect Barstow’s “unique identity.”

Tuesday’s meeting focused on what locals liked about Barstow’s look and what they felt needed improvement. Through a variety of exercises, the firm gathered input from those in attendance but also demonstrated the need for a cohesive design.

For one of the exercises, Lawrence R. Moss designer Jaime Yamashita led the group to make a list of favorite or beautiful places in Barstow and a list of important places in Barstow. Only a few places landed on both lists. Yamashita stressed the places that are most important should also be beautiful because the community deserves that.

Reminiscent of high school classes, the attendants were organized into small groups. They worked together to create a poster and presented to the whole group what they liked and what they felt needed improving in Barstow’s landscape.

Every presenter stressed the importance of Barstow’s historic heritage, including the Harvey House, Route 66, and downtown.

“The rich history is prominent in the area,” said presenter Jane Laraman-Brockhurst. “It’s something we want to keep in tact in the new Barstow design.”

Councilmembers Tim Silva and Tim Saenz both presented and called for a unity in design in Barstow’s parks and public areas.

Every presenter said xeriscaping, or desert landscaping, was something they liked and wanted to see more of in Barstow. They pointed to Barstow Community College and the Veteran’s Home as role models for good landscaping.

Among the complaints with Barstow’s overall look was the L street exit off I-15 and City Hall.
“City hall is very blah,” said presenter Rene Gonzales. “It’s kind of plain; has no color; no design.”

Assistant to the City Manager Oliver Chi said he was excited so many participated in the meeting.

“The biggest thing I took away is there’s this incredible sense of passion in this town,” Chi said. “From the beginning it’s been important that this was something unique to the community and you don’t get that without folks getting involved and taking ownership.”

In addition to the community input meetings, the city is encouraging residents to fill out surveys found at www.barstowca.org.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or klucia@desertdispatch.com

Meeting 2
• What do we want for the Future of Barstow?
• 6-8 p.m. Feb. 23
• Barstow Jr. High School, 1000 Armory Road

Meeting 3
• Presentation of Design Alternatives
• 2-3:30 p.m. March 24
• Cora Harper Community Center, 841 Barstow Road