I predict it will be hideous, like the "iconic" artwork on bouquet canyon rd. Ugh.

In fact, why would you put anything in downtown Newhall that you didn't expect or want to be vandalized with graffiti? The thing will be covered in graffiti constantly, it's going to cost way more to keep cleaning it than it will to stick the "iconic" thing in the ground.

How about a 360-degree locksmith or cell phone kiosk? Better yet, a satellite "book return" station for the new library.

If its made of metal, it will be stolen and melted down for scrap.

How about a fireworks and ammunition kiosk? Or, maybe a giant halographic floating head of Buck Mckeon that rotates the same direction as traffic. Should only cost about a million dollars.

Chefgirl got it right about the 'iconic' art work.
but why another Roundabout? Agenda 21 is alive and well in Santa Clarita!

Oh?!? The roundabout got approved? I actually thought the city was going to listen to its citizens.

"...reconfiguring traffic flow to make the area more pedestrian friendly." Where do you cross the street at a roundabout when traffic signals and crosswalks are being taken out?

Just curious.

The art I would suggest for the area is 1) several trucks selling produce out of the back; 2) taco carts; and 3) empty trash cans with the trash on the ground next to them. They could have statues of families throwing their trash on the ground as they do in the home country.

Yippee.

Chefgirl, you were correct in your earlier post about the butterfly on Bouquet Canyon. I though it was kind of cute but after a second glance it is likely someone will get impaled by an antennae.

Baddog1, Wouldn't be a stretch that someone might try to steal the metal art piece and sell as scrap. The $60,000 butterfly on Bouquet Canyon will be sold for $60 scrap.

Just dig a deep hole for the civic leaders to throw your money into.

I've been a resident (dad & husband) for nearly 30 years (my grandfather headed the Newhall Sheriff's office & Wayside/Pitchess honor rancho from the '30's through '50's), and as it were, I have significant background in contracting concrete, masonry, electric, plumbing, steel fabrication/welding, and am now retired (disabled, due to spinal injury at Melody Ranch on HBO's Deadwood in '05), from the studio business, having been a union studio construction coordinator, art director, special effects fabricator/welder & pyrotech, and would gladly manage this job for 60% this amount, which (my version) would combine symbols of William H. Hart, other western star's figures, atop a miniaturized replica of Vasquez Rocks, the scene, and historical site of numerous westerns, including the Cisco Kid, (celebrating our Mexican history), which were historically the foundation of Newhall’s history. A roundabout is truly a great idea, affordable/intelligent, and truly low-cost alternative to alleviation of future traffic concerns within the area for decades. Unfortunately, some of the other recent ideas (Bouquet Butterflies, which I personally could have cut/welded within a week or so in my garage, & installed them for $5,000), have simply been abuses of our tax dollars, and pretend to make a statement, which most in our community can’t even comprehend.
Best part is, that since I’m disabled, I'll gladly work for minimum wage, and it it's not completed within 2 months, I'll work for free until the job's completed.
I'll certainly have to work closely/promptly with SCV engineers & inspectors, but not unlike how the Interstate 5 overpass was rebuilt in 4 months, due to incentives after the ’94 earthquake, there's almost no reason this couldn't be finished (the way we coordinate labor & materials in the studios) very quickly, and not this, it takes two years business to get anything done crap, we've somehow grown accustom to. Just maybe we can throw the hundreds of thousands saved toward the parks, or homeless center, so we’re actually helping others less fortunate, or at least not planting butterflies in concrete medians, and not simply tossing money around, due to the usual red tape. My number's 661-803-7395, and the name's Scott, if anyone on the city council’s interested.

I fear the railroad tracks are too close to the proposed "roundabout", and that a long slow freight train will bring traffic on all 3 streets to a road rage fueled "full stop". Of course the flower and citrus vendors will make out like bandits.

Downtown Newhall Revitalization = a war on poor people. (Besides, I thought Canyon Country already had an arts and entertainment district promoted by City Hall...)

Ricketzz, The freight train is one problem, the other is that any accident on the 5 fwy will also bring the traffic to a full stop. I'm wondering if there is anything (court order?) we can do about this. Any Lawyers out there? Newhall Ave is not only a major thoroughfare, it's also one of two fire evacuation routes for the residents in "Happy Valley" (where I live) and Placerita Canyon. Not that we ever have any fires in the area between the 5 & 14 fwy (being facetious here).

I hope everyone is phoning or emailing the city with your complaints or suggestions about this project. I know they're going to lie and spin it just like they did the Newhall Library, but at least I know that I did what I could, which is to voice my opinion loudly and repeatedly.

Arts and entertainment? Is an adult bookstore, porn emporium, and creep magnet replacing the bicycle shop?

chefgirl, your loud voice wont be heard in city hall!.
They have made their decision whether you like it or not!

I remember when the city decided to take over the library and there were over 200 loud voices that were not heard. When citizens were voicing their displeasure, they were ignored by members of Santa Clarita Urban Management who would look down at their papers, just waiting for the meeting to be over. Disgusting!

lars, I know they are. But at least I'll have the satisfaction of being able to say that I called them and insulted their silly little project and emailed them, etc. It makes ME feel better to do it, even though I know those stupid boneheads are going to go ahead with their plans no matter who yells and screams, all so they can get federal tax dollars! OUR federal tax dollars, $2 MILLION of them, are going to pay for this monstrosity, and that really ticks me off!

I agree with those that mentioned the hideous "art piece" on Bouquet Canyon. It makes me cringe every time I drive by it. It reminds me of something that I would see on a playground. The medians in that area are very nice, but that pile of metal ruins it completely. Who chose that thing?

I would suggest that the art piece be a model of Old Town when completed. Years down the line, once the city pulls away the millions of dollars in support, it will be all we have to remember it by.

NO ONE GOES TO OLD TOWN ANYWAYS!!!
Why are we wasting money on dumb ideas like this??? Why dont we spend the money to GET RID of the bike lanes on Rockwell Canyon and 16th street that are always empty with no cyclists.

What will happen to the roundabout when Lions Ave becomes a pedestrian only Ave...Agenda 21?