A look at how far the Ridge has come since November 8, 2018 As the Paradise Ridge turns the calendar and marks two years since the Camp Fire destroyed much of Paradise and Magalia, the community is further ahead than many people thought right after the fire.
By Rick Dean Special to the Chamber
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is restoring clean drinking water to residents and businesses and ensuring that the delivered water meets or exceeds regulatory standards. PID has hired a company to begin the meter replacement throughout the Town—a project that is set to cost about $1.3 million. Along with a Tesla plan to install back up batteries within the district, meter replacement will save PID more than $1 million, and will help keep the power on to the water distribution plant in the event of a power outage. The Paradise Unified School District (PUSD) is performing a makeover at the high school. The first step has been the construction of a longawaited brand-new gym in Paradise. The high school gym is set to be finished by November 2020. When the Bobcats might be able to utilize the new gym for interscholastic athletics is unclear at this time due to COVID-19 issues.
s Mayor Greg Bolin pointed out recently, there were people who were estimating that the town wouldn’t even start rebuilding for at least five years after the disaster. But within five months of the disaster, Paradise issued its first rebuilding permit. As of September 2020, the town has accepted nearly 1,150 permit applications and has issued just over 1,000 permits. Butte County has received 373 building permits within the burn area and has 87 homes that may be occupied at this time. Outside the burn scar, the County has received 37 applications to rebuild and has 18 homes finalized.
The high school also looks to be building a new administrative building with classrooms while across the street PUSD plans to build a brand-new Ridgeview High School to replace the continuation high school destroyed by the Camp Fire.
“They’re coming online quicker than what we thought,” Bolin said. “As far as getting done, it Jesse Groeschen carved this Phoenix Rising wood sculpture really depends on the builders from a tree that was mistakenly removed. It soars over and their efficiencies. Some of Skyway beside Butte Creek Canyon. them have been moving pretty Photo: Rebuild Paradise Foundation quickly.”
Paradise High School continues to share its campus with Paradise junior high students. This model will continue until student body numbers indicate a change to separate facilities. The Paradise Parks and Recreation District (PRPD) also is moving forward. PRPD has assumed responsibility and control of the recreational activities of Paradise Lake.
Multi-family residential units are an important part of the Town’s housing plan and are quickly moving ahead. To date, the Town has received permit applications for 173 units of multi-family, and approved permits for 134 units. Four multifamily buildings that have already been completed.
PRPD District Manager, Dan Efseaff said when PRPD made the decision to manage the recreational duties of the lake they saw a great opportunity to expand the district’s sports and leisure offerings.
The Paradise Irrigation District (PID) is also in a much better position today, better than anyone thought possible after the fire, given the dire situation of lack of potable water. Today PID
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This progress is far cry from what some outside observers had thought following the disaster.
Even with the unforeseen complications of COVID-19, the Paradise Ridge is recovering faster from the Camp Fire than many had expected in the immediate months following the fire. Fortunately for Paradise, the rebuild was considered essential work and continues.
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