Town of Paradise Weekly Recovery Update 12-29-21

CURRENT STATISTICS

BUILDING UPDATES

Single Family Homes in Development

2,072 Building Permit Applications Received

  • 1,440 Stick Built / 632 Manufactured

1,893 Building Permits issued

1,173 Homes Rebuilt (certificate of occupancy issued)

Multi-Family Homes in Development

396 Multi-Family Unit Applications Received

369 Multi-Family Unit Permits Issued

242  Multi-Family Unit Permits Rebuilt (certificate of occupancy issued)

*Each “unit” represents a home for a family in Paradise.

If you are a multi-family housing developer and wish to meet with the Town, please call Kate Anderson, Housing Program Supervisor, at 530.872.6291 x 122, or email kanderson@townofparadise.com


BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Provided by the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce: Every week, we will spotlight a business in Paradise to encourage shopping locally and supporting economic recovery in Paradise – and maybe uncover a business you haven’t heard of before! All businesses featured in the business spotlights can be found in Paradisechamber.com’s online business directory.

This week, we are highlighting Lyons Express Lube & Oil. A family owned and operated business with over 30 years of experience, Lyons Express Lube & Oil is proud to serve Paradise and Magalia. Paul Lyons and his crew give exceptional, reliable service every time. Their 14 point inspection keeps your vehicle well maintained. Visit Lyons for quality, experience, honesty, and excellence, all at an affordable price. 5605 Almond Street, or online in Paradisechamber.com’s business directory.

Thinking of opening a business in Paradise? The Town of Paradise offers Business Development meetings for prospective business owners to go over the process of opening a business in Paradise.  Call Colette Curtis at (530) 872-6291 x112 or email her at ccurtis@townofparadise.com to schedule an appointment.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

The Town of Paradise wishes all our residents, visitors, businesses, and organizations a Happy New Year!


PARADISE 2021 HIGHLIGHTS

As 2021 comes to a close, the Town is excited to add a third year of progress to the rebuilding of Paradise. Let’s take a moment to celebrate some of this year’s recovery and restoration milestones!

More Families Building in Paradise

  • As of December 29th, 1,173 single-family residences and 242 multi-family units have been rebuilt and received a certificate of occupancy. 

Growing Economy

  • Over 350 businesses and professional services have opened or reopened their doors in Paradise. There is room for many more!

Hazard Tree Removal Program Completed

  • Over 88,000 hazardous trees were removed from the burn scar, 25,000 of them in Paradise. A new program for the removal of hazard trees not eligible for the government program is pending for 2022.

Sewer Project began Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process

  • In 2021, a Sewer Regionalization Project Advisory Committee (SRPAC) was formed to help guide the process. The project is now in the Environmental Impact Report stage. If the project is approved, pre-construction could begin as early as 2023, with full completion expected in late 2026. 

Transportation Master Plan Meetings

  • With input from a series of four public meetings and related surveys, the Transportation Master Plan is nearly complete. This plan will help direct road reconfiguration and evacuation planning for years to come. 

Expanded Downtown Project Begun

  • Summer 2021 saw the beginning of construction on the new areas of downtown, including sidewalks, curb, gutter, lighting, and pathway installation. An expanded downtown means more room for business and town activities.

New Town Seal

  • Approved by the Town Council in September 2021 and officially adopted in mid-October 2021, the new seal celebrates a new era in Paradise history. Local artist Jake Early was commissioned by the Town to create a new design that honors both past and future Paradise.

Winter Wonderland Returned

  • After a year’s pause during the pandemic, the Paradise Ice Rink reopened for the 2021 season bigger and better than ever before with the introduction of “Winter Wonderland,” a series of community events and booths to accompany the ice rink festivities.

If you’d like to share this progress information, head to Makeitparadise.org/blog.


UPCOMING EVENTS

New Years Eve Bash at Jen’s Place, December 31

Celebrate the new year with Special Guest at Jen’s Place in Paradise! Rock out starting at 9 p.m. on December 31. There is a $10 cover fee to enter. Click here for more information.

Thursday Night Dinner at Paradise Alliance Church, January 6

Enjoy a FREE meal with the community on January 6 at the Paradise Alliance Church. This dinner is taking place in the church gym from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will provide dinner, drinks, and dessert. Paradise Alliance Church provides these free community dinners on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. Don’t miss out! For more information, call (530) 877-7069.

Polar Bear Paddle Fest, January 8

If you’re looking for some adventure, grab your kayak and join the Polar Paddle Fest! This poker race and polar paddle will take place on Paradise Lake at boat launch #1. The event is from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 8. The registration fee is $25 per participant, and it includes parking, race registration, and gear cleaning at the closing ceremony. For more information and registration, visit www.paradiseprpd.com.

Spotlight on Color: Paradise Art Center, January 8-February 19

Come check out “Spotlight on Color,” a Wheeler gallery show at the Paradise Art Center. The gallery is available to view on Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. beginning on January 8 until February 19. For more information, visit www.paradise-art-center.com.

North Valley Animal Disaster Group Training, January 15-16

The North Valley Animal Disaster Group is holding a two-day volunteer training on January 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The class is being held at the Butte County Search and Rescue Classroom at 3965 Morrow Ln., Chico. This training will prepare you to help animals in emergency situations within Butte County. The training costs $65 and requires registration. To register click here.

“Let’s Dance” with Soul Posse, January 16

Get your groove on with the Soul Posse on January 16. Dance to all genres and enjoy some complimentary snacks, goodies, and prizes. The event is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Veterans Hall in Paradise. The admission fee is $8. Contact xosugar@me.com for more information.

Paradise on Ice OPEN now through January 17

Paradise on Ice is open now through January 17. Public skate, adult skate, lessons, private rentals, and party rooms are all available. Open daily (weather permitting) at the Terry Ashe Recreation Center in Paradise: Mon-Thurs 2:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Friday 12 p.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.- 10 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.- 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.paradiseprpd.com/ice-rink-hours-fees


RESOURCES

Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) Expanding Mutual Self-Help Housing Program in Paradise

If you are a lot owner in Paradise looking to rebuild OR you are interested in helping build a new home for your family in Town, you may be eligible to be a part of the new self-help housing program from CHIP. Eligible families meeting low income requirements and other criteria will appreciate affordable monthly payments, the ability to help build your own home, no down payment, and a low fixed interest rate. No construction experience necessary! To find out if you are eligible or to request an application, call (530) 891-6931 or 1-888-912-4663, visit www.chiphousing.org, or email CHIPgeneral@chiphousing.org.

Paradise Irrigation District Update

With the return of water consumption billing, PID customers are asking how this change will affect their monthly water bill.  We have information available at https://pidwater.com/metersto help Paradise residents prepare for and estimate their future water bills.  PID will notify customers ahead of time with an example bill to show them what to expect. Customers can also download a mobile app (dropcountr) to help them monitor water usage and alert them to unexpected water use or a leak.

  • Total Customers: 8,791

  • Active customers: 4,031

  • Properties with cleared water: 3,712

  • Metered billing resumes in January of 2022.

Surveillance monitoring of distribution system: 1270 system samples since Sept 2020; one had a detection for benzene but when resampled was non-detect (as of October 28, 2021)

View the interactive PID water quality assurance sampling map. https://pidwater.com/water-quality

Home Builders Resource Connection Online Plan Room

The Rebuild Paradise Foundation (RPF) and Valley Contractors Exchange (VCE) have partnered to launch Home Builders Resource Connection Online Plan Room! This FREE tool is intended to connect the dots between those looking to rebuild after the devastating fires Butte County has experienced in 2018 and 2020 and contractors that can perform this work. To learn more about the Online Plan Room, please visit https://vceonline.com/HBRC/ or contact VCE at (530) 343-1981.

 

Shop Local Online! Paradise Ridge Marketplace Available

The Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce has provided the Paradise Ridge Marketplace to keep your shopping local. Purchase some of your favorite Ridge items, such as Ridge Rising apparel and other fun member products. New items are added frequently. Learn more at www.ShopParadiseRidge.com.  

Funding Options for Those Rebuilding after the Camp Fire

  1. NEW – Grants Up to $200,000 Available for those Rebuilding after the Camp Fire

    The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently announced the Disaster Housing Assistance Survey for survivors of the 2018 wildfire disasters is now open. Homes damaged or destroyed by the Camp Fire may be eligible for up to $200,000; and low- to moderate-income households will receive priority.

    If you are a disaster survivor and wish to see if you qualify for the ReCoverCA Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (OOR Program), start by taking the 2018 Disaster Housing Assistance survey available at https://recover.hcd.ca.gov/.  If you need assistance with the survey, contact Butte County OOR Case Managers Brittney Murray or Glen Johnson at (916) 202-1764.

  2. Up to $150,000 in low-interest, deferred Loans for homeowners (can be used even if insurance funds and/or FEMA funds have been spent)

    The Town of Paradise offers deferred, low-interest loans to low and moderate income households rebuilding after the Camp Fire. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, click here or call the Town’s Housing Department at (530) 872-6291 x122. We are happy to answer any questions you might have. 

  3. Missing Middle Grant – Up to $5,000 to qualifying middle-class or lower middle-class households

    Rebuild Paradise Foundation is offering grant funding that is awarded as reimbursement for the following pre-construction costs: up to $2,000(max) for survey costs, up to $2,000(max) for architecture/engineering fees and up to $1,000(max) for water related expenses. For more information on eligibility and to apply, visit www.rebuildparadise.org.

Town Hall and the Building Resiliency Center Open to the Public 

Town Hall and the Building Resiliency Center (BRC), both on Skyway are open to the public. Town Hall and Town Meetings are open to the public with limited seating and social distancing procedures in place. The BRC is accepting walk-ins and individuals are requested to ring the bell located by the front doors to enter. This will ensure social distancing requirements can be met.

The Town is also available by phone. Please call (530) 872-6291 for existing appointments or to schedule a new appointment.

Below are the extensions for assistance: 

  • Business and Housing x126 or x130

  • Code Enforcement x110

  • Finance Department x121

  • Tree Advocates x162 or x163 

  • Building Resiliency Center x411

  • General Information x101     

Have questions regarding your rebuild? Rebuild Advocates are here to help!  

If you need help navigating the rebuild process, the Town of Paradise has Rebuild Advocates available to assist. They can help with the following:  Navigating insurance, FEMA or SBA, understanding additional financing options, selecting a contractor, submitting plans, or any part of the rebuild process.  They are available at the Building Resiliency Center by appointment only. Please call 530.872.6291 x429 x430 to make an in-person (depending on COVID status) or phone appointment today!


Make it Paradise Newsletter

This newsletter is designed to keep you informed of the ongoing recovery efforts as we rebuild Paradise.  Each week you will receive a newsletter with events, current numbers (building permits, etc.), current topics and a weekly Q&A.

Occasionally, we may send out an extra newsletter pertaining to an upcoming event or important information.