It has been projected that twenty million people will be added to California’s population by the year 2015. A significant portion of this population growth is expected to find its way into the San Joaquin Valley. Merced, like many other Valley communities, must be prepared to respond to the challenges and changes that population growth pressures will bring to this area.
Currently, Merced residents enjoy Merced’s compact size, its small-town feeling, surrounding agricultural and open space land, the parks and historic structures, the beautiful tree-lined streets, the creek side bikeways, etc. These are the result of much effort on the part of concerned citizens and appointed and elected officials.
These people looked at what the City was and decided what they wanted it to become. This is "planning" --and what the Merced Vision 2015 General Plan is all about. It builds on the efforts and visions of the past and states the aspirations for the future. The challenge, laid down by those who have preceded us, is to guide our City’s growth into the new millennium in such a manner that our children and our children’s children may enjoy the same high quality of life that we enjoy today.
The Merced Vision 2015 General Plan envisions a growing community that preserves much of its small town flavor and social setting, a city that has an improved economy, adequate public services and cultural facilities, and a good overall quality of life for its residents. In 2015, people will have various transportation options. Parks and open spaces will link residential, commercial, and employment centers in such a manner as to provide an attractive pedestrian and bicycle alternative to driving. Convenient public transit systems will serve these areas as well.
The future of Merced includes the 10th University of California (UC) campus and connection to an improved rail system. The UC campus will provide a major educational resource to the City and its residents, and the improved rail and highway systems will link Merced with all of the major metropolitan areas of the state. The Merced Vision 2015 General Plan anticipates these developments and contains policies and strategies for maximizing the benefits that they will bring to our community.
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