William Murray, owner of William’s Auto Care Center in Boyes Hot Springs, is the newest member of the Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee.
Murray ran unopposed for the Business Owner seat, vacated by Rich Lee who chose not to pursue a second term. Steve Cox, the Representative of a Community Organization, also ran unopposed and will remain on the panel.
William’s Auto, Sonoma Valley’s oldest and largest independent garage, has been in business since 1971. Murray has managed the garage since 1987 and took ownership of the business in 2000.
Murray said he is committed to seeing the Springs area develop its own sense of identity and community. “This is a great area,” he said. “There’s lots of potential.”
An avid photographer, Murray donates his time shooting many events and fundraisers throughout the Valley. As the newest Redevelopment Advisory Committee member, “I’m looking forward to getting a picture of what’s going on.”
One of the first things on the Redevelopment Advisory Committee agenda will be to look at continuing the Highway 12 improvements through the Donald Avenue stretch. “It’s sort of a lost piece,” said Redevelopment Manager Cas Ellena.
The recent addition of sidewalks and streetlights through the Springs ends several hundred feet to the south of the Sonoma city limits. To close the gap, “We’re looking at the same treatment, the same type of improvements, on the eastern side of the street.”
Much of the early design work is in place, but the area was left out of the Phase 1 construction because of complications with a bridge and land encroachments, Elliot said. Her staff is updating cost estimates and trying to locate other sources of funding.
The Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee has a projected $3.5 million to invest in the area by June 2014. The highway project will be judged against other proposals to determine priorities for the area. “It’s about best utilizing those funds,” Ellena said. “The goal is to put those dollars to work.”
