By Aldrich Tan/Staff writer

July 29, 2005

Upcoming development projects will help Visalia grow as a city, Mayor Bob Link said Thursday.

At a Visalia Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Link highlighted upcoming city development projects such as the new 40-acre civic center in the east downtown area, two new police precincts to open in north and south Visalia next year, the expansion of Kaweah Delta Hospital and construction of the Santa Fe Street bridge across Highway 198.

New developments are the result of Visalia's population growth, said Michael Cully, chamber president.

"A light switch turned on when we hit the 100,000 mark," he said. "It's amazing to see how much the city has grown in the past few years."

Cully called attention to the chamber's new building on Santa Fe Street that will be part of the civic center project.

The reporter can be reached at atan@visalia.gannett.com.