Marysville rivers called underused 'asset'

Nothing short of completely transforming Marysville will do, according to its new city manager.

Veteran administrator Walter Munchheimer, in his first couple of months in the wheelhouse, has begun his assessment of the city's problems and potential.

In a document outlining his "bounce back" strategy, he details five areas of Marysville for study and planning, including a historic downtown district, Highway 70/E Street corridor, medical arts district, lake district and river district.

Munchheimer refers to the city's access to the Yuba and Feather rivers as "the "biggest underutilized asset of the city."

"That alone warrants our attention as a legitimate target of opportunity," the document reads.

Munchheimer plans to present his ideas for re-making the city today at a special City Council workshop at the Caltrans District 3 headquarters.

In addition to the areas he feels are worth focusing on for development and change, are summary evaluations of some of the potential difficulties.

"Today, the rivers play no discernible role in the economic life of the community," according to the Community Directions Agenda, about which Munchheimer's presentation will revolve.

As a contributor to the city's economic life, the rivers' viability "likely depends on improvements that will be costly to construct."

The area surrounding the future, expanded Rideout Regional Medical Center, according to Munchheimer, will require that related businesses are able and willing to move in.

"New, upscale housing, too, would be needed to meet the demands of doctors and other health care professionals," according to his document. "That could have beneficial implications for East Marysville ... and possibly for the restoration and preservation of downtown Victorian homes."

City leaders need to find and plan for ways to attract and accommodate such growth, according to Munchheimer.

A strategy for accomplishing initial tasks is included in his agenda, as well as a basic timeline.

The punch list includes the establishment of steering groups, hiring of planning consultants and community meetings.

"It is my judgment that small mid-course corrections will not be enough," according to Munchheimer's introductory statements. "Nothing short of a transformation and rebirth can get the job done."