Cathedral City using eminent domain to revamp downtown

RaNeeka J. Claxton
The Desert Sun
February 14, 2007

CATHEDRAL CITY - El Gallito and the Red Tomato fought a public battle last summer with advertising pleas and signature campaigns to hold on tooth-and-nail against Cathedral City's downtown redevelopment wrecking ball.

But behind the landmark restaurants that now get to stay, other story lines are playing out in the city's quest to revamp downtown through eminent domain.

Welcome to First Street, a modest neighborhood of small colorful buildings, where sugar cane grows in yards and close-knit neighbors cook tacos on a grill, laughing and joking in Spanish.

Most in the neighborhood say they expect to eventually be uprooted.

Others are less resigned, and say their properties are worth more than what the city is offering.

Redevelopment Director Janet Davison and City Council members said they can't comment about individual cases under negotiation.

But the latest redevelopment plans, expected to come out at tonight's City Council meeting, include residences and businesses on 23 acres just east of the Civic Center.

Wessman Development and California Development Enterprises Inc. have teamed up to form Cathedral City Town Center Venture for the project.

The plan is to build a mixed-use neighborhood with town homes, an eight-story building, a pharmacy, market, bank, fitness center, bookstore, restaurants, boutiques and a hotel at Palm Canyon Drive and Allen Avenue, said Candace Casey, senior vice president of California Development Enterprises Inc.

Though still in the concept stages, Casey said potential tenants are CVS or Walgreens, and a specialty foods market.

"We are looking for Cathedral City to be an economic development hub," said Cathedral City Mayor Kathy DeRosa.

The expected revenue is not yet known, DeRosa said. The project won't break ground for another three years.

Leonard Gilroy with the Reason Foundation, a Los Angeles nonprofit dedicated to individual liberty and limited government, criticizes the use of eminent domain.

Cities are "displacing existing homes and small-business owners to try to pursue utopian redevelopment schemes that often don't pan out," he said. And they're "sending a message that modest neighborhoods, vibrant business and families that have been there for decades matter less than economic development."

Cathedral City has used eminent domain - the government's right to take private property for public use - since the mid-1990s to make way for high-profile projects that have attracted shoppers and tourists. That lists includes the Town Square, Fountain of Life, Desert IMAX and Mary Pickford theaters and the Pickfair Promenade, said City Manager Don Bradley.

The area used to be a mobile home park.

This latest project "will be to benefit the community as a whole," Bradley said.

'Labor of love'
In the heart of downtown Cathedral City, there's a big Central American family.

Some are from Mexico and Honduras; others are from Guatemala and El Salvador.

They make up the social fabric of a nine-unit, low-income apartment complex painted in green, blue, pink and yellow. Many have called this place home since its doors opened 15 years ago.

But the little community will go away when Cathedral City and complex owner Margery St. Anthony reach an agreement to buy out the property for redevelopment.

"They tell me they are going to win no matter what because this is progress, and I understand that," St. Anthony said. "I love Cathedral City, so I want to see it beautiful. But some of it has to go. It's had its time."

The complex is occupied by five families. St. Anthony hand-decorated the building with mosaic tiles, turquoise pebbles, blue picket fences and painted designs.

Some families grow sugarcane and beans in the front of their apartments, and resident Salvador Coreas, 63, maintains many bright petunias in the yard with his landscaping expertise.

A stray, brown-and-white dog has made his home there, too, as the community pet.

"This has been a labor of love for me," said St. Anthony, 65, of Cathedral City. "I hate to see them go."

St. Anthony wouldn't reveal the amount the city has offered, but said she feels it's worth more.

Whatever money she gets will be used as her retirement, and the tenants will be well cared for, she said.

The residents, who all want to look for a place nearby, will get relocation help.

Coreas lives in a two-bedroom apartment with his wife and two adult children.

"I feel very bad," he said in Spanish. Coreas has lived in the complex since it opened. "I have plenty of friends here. I'm accustomed to living here."

But "if they give me a house, it'd be a dream," Coreas said.

'I don't think I deserve this'
Across the street, Pomposa "Maria" Garcia has made her living for the past 14 years inside a tiny building that reads "DRESSMAKER."

There, Garcia runs her business, Creative Cottons & Alterations.

The back door leads to her home - a few steps away - that she's owned for the same amount of time. Her sister rents the other half of the house.

"It's good this way," Garcia said. "I'm happy."

Garcia is upset with what the city offered her, saying it's not enough for her to start over since the housing market went through the roof.

"I feel abused because I am a poor person," a frustrated Garcia said. "I am the only income in the family."

The Cathedral City Redevelopment Agency sent Garcia a letter Sept. 18 offering to buy the two properties for $450,000 - the fair market value determined by a city-hired appraiser.

According to December and January loan statements Garcia shared with The Desert Sun, she owes about $406,000 for both properties.

"If they give me $450,000, what am I going to have to go out?" Garcia said.

She'd have about $44,000 to get a new home and business in today's challenging real estate market, she said.

Garcia appealed Jan. 16, asking for $900,000.

Davison wrote back that the amount was far in excess of fair market value.

If Pomposa Garcia feels that $450,000 isn't the fair market value of her home and business property, "she certainly can hire an appraiser," said the city attorney Duff Murphy.

Garcia also doesn't qualify for residential relocation assistance like others in the area because she didn't move into her home in time. She had been renting it out previously.

Garcia said she wants to hire an attorney, but can't afford it.

"I don't think I deserve this," she said.

I see we will have a sticky thread for every County in the Southland?

Inland Empire has two counties.

So now we have:

Downtown LA
Hollywood
Wilshire
Long Beach
LA Metro
Orange County
Inland Empire

Are we missing anything else? I think a San Fernando Valley one is possible and then we must stop with these. The remaining stuff (Marina Del Rey, Playa Vista, San Pedro, Pasadena, etc.) can all go in the LA Metro thread.

Actually, let's rename the Universal City TOD thread "SAN FERNANDO VALLEY: Projects and Developments" since TOD forms the basis of what is going on in the Valley.

Actually, let's rename the Universal City TOD thread "SAN FERNANDO VALLEY: Projects and Developments" since TOD forms the basis of what is going on in the Valley.



^^ Yup yup that sounds like a swell idea!!!

what no SGV? there is a massive new grocery store construction just starting on atlantic and valley in alhambra. i think its alhambra town center or atlantic town center. anyhow i think i might grab some picks of it this weekend.

...but no one cares about "suburbs"

what no SGV? there is a massive new grocery store construction just starting on atlantic and valley in alhambra. i think its alhambra town center or atlantic town center. anyhow i think i might grab some picks of it this weekend.

...but no one cares about "suburbs"



:pet: Everything will be OK. We will add SGV to the LA Metro threads and yes please do provide us with the Worls Famous Grocery Store PIX. It will be much appreciated there. Many thanks in advanced!

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Victoria Gardens to add Puma, others

10:00 PM PST on Tuesday, February 6, 2007

By LOU HIRSH
The Press-Enterprise

Add a shoe-shopping trip to a new concept store, followed by dinner at an upscale steakhouse, to the list of things soon available to do at still-growing Victoria Gardens.

The Rancho Cucamonga retail center will be home to a 3,609-square-foot Puma store by early March. The store will feature shoes, apparel and other active-lifestyle accessories. The store, to be located on Kew Avenue next to Oakley, will feature the company's new "ship container" concept, with fixtures mounted on walls, laid on floors or suspended from ceilings.

"This is the third concept store in the country that they've set up like this," said Glenn Miller, director of marketing for Victoria Gardens. "They also have these in Portland and New York City."

Tom Ulrich, senior vice president of retail for Puma North America, called the Inland area "one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing areas in the U.S.," and said this location will be key to Puma's expansion.

On Feb. 17, Newport Beach-based Fleming's is slated to open its latest steakhouse and second Inland location at 7905 Monet Ave. The chain also features chops, seafood, chicken and a wine list with more than 100 selections. Fleming's other location is in Rancho Mirage.

Russ Bendel, assistant manager of the new Fleming's location, said the 7,500-square-foot restaurant will seat 258, with areas for private parties. While the interior will be similar to the company's other restaurants, the exterior has been done in a 1960s-style architecture to match the décor of that portion of Victoria Gardens.

Other new businesses due at Victoria Gardens include sporting-goods retailer Bass Pro Shop; seafood eatery Harry's Pacific Grill; Japanese restaurant Gyu-Kaku; and yogurt shop Pinkberry.

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Weee! I live in Riverside. Our city is booming (by I.E. standards).

Msole' (Downtown Riverside)
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Fox Plaza (Downtown Riverside)
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Fox Theatre -It's going to be turned into a preforming arts center (Downtown Riverside)
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since you live in riverside do you think you can provide some pictures of the Galleria Mall expansion?? I don't get to go up there much so I'm not sure whats going on but what I have heard sounds exciting!!

since you live in riverside do you think you can provide some pictures of the Galleria Mall expansion?? I don't get to go up there much so I'm not sure whats going on but what I have heard sounds exciting!!

I live near the mall, but unfortunately no pictures... There's not that much that they're doing though, basically: more parking, 16 screen AMC theatre, new restaurants and new shops

since you live in riverside do you think you can provide some pictures of the Galleria Mall expansion?? I don't get to go up there much so I'm not sure whats going on but what I have heard sounds exciting!!

Well...PF Chang's and Cheesecake Factory opened in late November. The movie theater as well as some more stores will open in December. Nothing mindblowing but it's good for I.E. standards.

Piemonte at Ontario Center - Ontario, CA
Piemonte is an urban village where residential, business, entertainment, sports, retail and dining combine to create a vibrant hub of activity for residents, local employees and visitors alike. A pedestrian-oriented 24-hour urban community, Piemonte will be a core destination and lifestyle experience for the Inland Empire as well as Southern California. The Piemonte experience includes approximately 400,000 sf of retail space, with distinctive restaurants and services, 550,000 sf of Class-A office space, 806 residential units, 769 multifamily residences, 11,000-seat sports and entertainment arena and 200-plus room high-end business/headquarters hotel and restaurant. Piemonte is located within the City of Ontario at the border of Rancho Cucamonga, one of the nation's fastest growing cities. The project is adjacent to Ontario Mills with immediate accessibility from I-10 and I-15 freeways.

Inland areas called key to state's future
The vast, fast-growing regions need a strong economy and solutions to environmental problems, study says.
By Gary Polakovic, Times Staff Writer
March 28, 2007

California's vast inland valleys, from Redding to Riverside, remain the fastest growing regions in the state but already face serious economic and environmental challenges that could determine the state's future, according to a study released Tuesday.

Developing an economy that can sustain this rapid population growth with well-paying jobs is the challenge facing these communities and will determine whether California will continue to prosper, according to the report by the Brookings Institution.

Although often maligned as poor, ugly and polluted, the inland area, spanning 75,000 square miles, is the key to California's future. One in three Californians calls it home. Four of the nation's 10 fastest-growing cities — Riverside, Bakersfield, Sacramento and San Bernardino — are there.

High-priced real estate forced many families to flee coastal urban areas and pursue their dreams inland during the past decade. Inland California "represents not so much a break with the California dream, but its new homeland, the state of opportunity for a new generation," the study said.

Sustaining the dream without ruining the environment or agriculture will determine if California remains competitive and a beacon for opportunity in the 21st century, experts say. The San Joaquin Valley already rivals Los Angeles for some of the smoggiest air in the country.

"When you get that many people and that much economic power inland, you better take a look at it and understand it because that's where the future of the state is," said John Husing, president of Redlands-based Economics & Politics Inc., an economic research firm unconnected with the study.

The report paints a portrait of a region at the crossroads. People move inland largely to find affordable housing in the Inland Empire, Central Valley and Sierra foothills.

The population in those regions has increased 14% between 2000 and 2005, four times the rate of the rest of the state, the study said.

But the inland region's rapid growth brings serious challenges.

More than half the new arrivals are Latino, and many new residents are poor and significantly less educated than in the Los Angeles region or the Bay Area.

They need good jobs, but employers aren't likely to relocate until there's a capable, high-skilled workforce in place. Many companies are more likely to relocate to Reno, Las Vegas or Phoenix than to inland California, the study said.

"When we think of the future of California, most people think about what happens in Silicon Valley or Hollywood. But for most Californians, the issue is what happens in the middle-class areas," said Joel Kotkin, an author of the study. "Will they be the new vital centers for California's middle class or will they become crabgrass slums with high unemployment and poor living conditions?"

The study recommends three approaches to help transform inland boomtowns into more livable and economically sustainable cities:

• Create more amenities that appeal to families, skilled labor and industries, including more open space and parks, better entertainment and retail centers and improved infrastructure.

• Create upward mobility for residents by offering more work-force training and better schools.

• Build on optimism to create political consensus for leadership and positive change. The study notes that, despite the region's maligned reputation, 75% of Central Valley adults rated their community as good or excellent — providing a basis for political will.

"It's up to them whether the area continues to perform to the low expectations as viewed by many commentators or begins to forge a future that will preserve the middle-class 'California dream' for at least another generation," the study said.

William Frey of the Brookings Institution and Kotkin, experts in demographics and urban development, wrote the 20-page paper.

The Brookings Institution is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

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cool, is it for scientologists only?

awesome......


cientologists..only??????are you kidding?

no... im deadly serious.

REALLY???THAT'S SO HOT!

cool, is it for scientologists only?
basically, or those 60+ years of age

Battling the monster on the hill
Publishing tycoon Duane Hagadone's Palm Desert neighbors consider his dream castle a $30-million offense against nature.
By Valerie Reitman, Times Staff Writer
April 20, 2007

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NEAR the 18th hole of the Bighorn golf course in Palm Desert, publishing tycoon Duane Hagadone laid out his vision for a dream home to his architect. It would be set high on the bald mountain rising near the green yet be so inconspicuous that he'd have to point it out even to golf buddies.

Hagadone wanted "a residence that blends into the mountain, that is very subtle, not a pinnacle seen from all angles," his assistants explained to Palm Desert officials as they sought the go-ahead for the subsequent design.

The $30-million-plus home would feature a copper roof composed of "angles and curves" that mimicked the ridge of the mountain, while its rock walls would be molded from those on the hillside.

The spectacular architectural plans and model so dazzled city officials that they granted Hagadone an exemption from a preservation ordinance that caps hillside homes at 4,000 square feet. Hagadone wanted his castle to be eight times that size — 32,016 square feet.

Before that vote in 2004, one City Council member envisioned write-ups "in every architectural magazine around the world"; another said he'd already inquired about using this "jewel in our crown" as a venue for fundraising events for the local theater. "We'll all be bragging about it," a third council member said.

Instead, the home has brought a load of grief for this city now that it is just about complete. Visible from miles away and set on a prominent ridgeline, its frame resembles a wayward space station parked amid the picturesque foothills.

Hagadone and his representatives declined interview requests. But upset residents have flooded the city with e-mails, branding the house "an unsightly scar on the hill," "a blight," "a monstrosity," "a pimple" and an "abortion" of city planning.

"We had an untouched ridgeline, untouched," lamented resident Larry Sutter.

Residents complained that their views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, which enfold the city like a clamshell, had been ruined. The bare, unlit peaks are lovely at dusk, silhouetted against the desert's twilight hues, and residents particularly dreaded how the house would look lighted up at night.

The outrage crescendoed last summer when city officials discovered that Hagadone had graded 64,000 square feet — double what the city had approved — to add unauthorized gardens, a sports court, koi pond and sidewalks.

Some residents demanded that Hagadone rip out unauthorized additions.

"The natural beauty of the desert and the mountains should be there for everyone … not just the few super rich," wrote James C. Owens. "Have the guts to tell Mr. Hagadone NO! NO! NO!"

WHEN it comes to golf and water — and most everything else — Hagadone, 74, lives large.

Take Lady Lola, the 205-foot yacht Hagadone had custom-built with what he called the world's only floating 18-hole golf course — so he could play while cruising around the world with the boat's namesake, wife Lola. Golf tees sprouted from the deck for Hagadone and friends to hack toward 18 buoys his crews anchored at various distances. A supply vessel followed behind toting other toys: a helicopter and landing pad, several speed boats (for crew members to retrieve the floating golf balls), sailboats, kayaks and a three-man submarine.

"We're a very active family. We love water sports," Hagadone told Showboats International yachting magazine in 2004. "No yacht really gives you the opportunity to carry a full complement of toys."

His extensive holdings in his Idaho hometown, Coeur d'Alene, which include restaurants, condominiums and a golf resort, have led some critics to dub the town "Coeur Duane." Hagadone raised hackles there a few years ago by proposing to replace two blocks of its busiest downtown street with a $20-million garden honoring his parents, but he dropped the controversial idea.

Hagadone wasn't always rich, according to his biography on the Horatio Alger Assn. of Distinguished Americans website. He dropped out of college to sell advertising for the eight-page daily Coeur d'Alene Press, where his father had risen to publisher. After his father died at age 49, Hagadone became publisher, and later owner, of the Press and 18 colorfully named dailies and weeklies in Idaho and Montana such as the Hungry Horse and Whitefish Pilot.

For more than 30 years, Hagadone — like thousands of other snowbirds — has traded frigid winters for the Coachella Valley's sun and more than 100 golf courses. His most recent base was in Indian Wells at the Vintage, a country club development that once made news for reprimanding one of its best-known homeowners, Bill Gates, for teeing off in a T-shirt rather than the requisite collar or turtleneck.

In 2004, Hagadone sold his boats for a reported $90 million and bought a plot at the Bighorn club.

The original design comprised five wings interspersed with interior streams and built-in aquariums. It featured his-and-her lap pools, an infinity-edge pool and several patios and terraces. Natural light would flood in from more than 110 glass windows and doors — some as large as 80 square feet, arced like half-moons, or opening at the touch of a button to let the outdoors in.

On the lower, entrance level: a huge garage for cars and golf carts, servants quarters, an elevator and a food preparation kitchen that appears big enough for Emeril, the audience and the band.

As the frame of Hagadone's home rose, residents of nearby gated communities and trailer parks dubbed Hagadone's home "the flying saucer" and "Neverland Ranch." Blinding glare from the desert sun glanced off the rounded, floor-to-ceiling glass windows of Hagadone's office, a round building in front of the main home.

It is "like a lighthouse with one major difference — there is no public benefit from its location," Jane and Paul Mueller, who live nearby, wrote to city officials.

Only a handful of residents expressed support for the project. One, Bighorn resident Edward Burger, e-mailed city officials that it would be Palm Desert's equivalent of the iconic home of Bob Hope, built three decades ago in nearby Palm Springs on a far less prominent peak. "I'm proud to have it in my community."

Bighorn rivals the Vintage and a few other clubs as the desert's toniest residential golf development. "Ultimately," the club's literature boasts, "it isn't the club you carry, but the one where you belong."

So many members drive $170,000-plus Bentley Continental GTs that it has its own Bentley Club. Bighorn also has an exclusive Starbucks, thanks to the chain's former chief executive — and Bighorn homeowner — Orin Smith. Other residents include producer Jerry Weintraub and "Entertainment Tonight" host Mary Hart.

A few miles from El Paseo, the desert's Rodeo Drive, Bighorn straddles Highway 74, the mountain route to Idyllwild and San Diego. A path under the highway allows golf carts to easily cruise between their homes and two world-class 18-hole courses, huge spa and boardroom-for-rent. Anteing up the $350,000 initiation fee, $25,000 annual charges, and $1,000 yearly "golf cart charge" gets a couple entry into those facilities and the Pour House restaurant.

Late last summer, Palm Desert associate city planner Tony Bagato discovered in an inspection that initial construction blueprints understated the home's square-footage by nearly 13,000 square feet: It was actually 44,870 square feet. But Hagadone had built beyond even that, grading land for a koi pond, a sports court and gardens not approved by the city. Now, the home was 64,000, twice what had been approved.

Hagadone's representatives called it a mistake and blamed their initial engineers — since replaced — for miscalculating the size. They submitted permit applications to cover the additions.

On Oct. 26, the day of the council showdown over the mansion, Hagadone got up at 4:30 a.m. to fly from Idaho. First stop: Ironwood, the gated community of more than 1,500 residents that lies in the shadow of his mansion, among his most vociferous opponents. He was met by four representatives from Ironwood in golf carts.

Hagadone "wasn't lawyered up," resident Larry Sutter recalled later, but came alone. He rode shotgun with Sutter, as the mini golf-cart parade cruised by modest two-bedroom condos and through the backyards of the million-dollar-plus estates that now look directly up at the colossal home. They pointed out how the infinity pool's straight edge wildly contrasted with the ridgeline's natural terrain.

They repaired to the fitness center to talk more. Hagadone said he would get his "rock guy" to soften the impact, Sutter recalled. Hagadone "certainly had opinions," Sutter said, but was "open and engaging and willing to take these steps, and we appreciate that."

HOURS later, the council hearing began, and members were quick to express frustration about their limited options.

"The first time I approved this, I didn't think I was approving anything that could be seen over the ridgeline," said Councilman Richard S. Kelly. "What's my guarantee?" he asked, in regard to approving the additional square footage, "because I thought I had a guarantee once before." Once something was built, he said, he couldn't imagine the council demanding the applicant tear it down.

If Hagadone ignored the limits on his original permits, why should the city trust him to abide by the permits he wanted for the sports court and other extra additions? Kelly asked Hagadone.

Councilwoman Jean M. Benson questioned why Hagadone should be granted anything else, considering "all that stuff he's done illegally already."

"We take some poor guy that doesn't have a nickel and make him tear down a house and rebuild it because he did it without a permit," she said. Hagadone's representatives "stood up there and blatantly lied to us."

City Atty. David Irwin said the original permits contained no provisions specifying that the house wouldn't be visible. With or without the new permits, Irwin said, "we have very limited ability to impose conditions on the original permit that was issued." If they granted new permits, however, they could attach conditions that he must modify what had already been built.

Hagadone then addressed the council, telling members that "we are very proud of the home" and hadn't broken any promises.

"I certainly have not ever proposed or commented that the building would not be seen at all," Hagadone said.

He said he had "worked hard" to make the property as "environmentally positive-looking as I possibly could," investing $360,000 in modifications, "all to become a better neighbor," and getting up before dawn that morning to address the concerns of Ironwood residents.

Hagadone urged the council to approve the sports court and other additions immediately, saying he now had large crews working to finish the house within a few months. He promised to work with a special aesthetics committee appointed by the council if they gave the go-ahead.

"When you're my age, you don't want to miss another winter in the desert," he said.

Jim Ferguson, the mayor, sided with Hagadone. "You seem like an honorable guy," Ferguson told the publisher. "You've worked well with us, and you didn't do anything that we didn't tell you you couldn't do."

With Benson dissenting, contending they were being "blackmailed," the council voted 3 to 1 to issue the additional permits.

Some residents now say the home is much less offensive with the total $700,000 that Hagadone says he has spent trying to make it less noticeable, including improvements to the home's rock walls and changes to the "Batman's ears," as some referred to the stonework around the office. Others think the faux rocks make it look worse.

Gloria Petitto, 80, whose home was built in 1956, said she remembered when Bing Crosby, Randolph Scott and other celebrities lived just down the street and "everybody was family, whether you were a ditch digger, a teacher or an entertainer."

Instead of the "majesty" of "God's nature" she could see from every room, she sees the Hagadone mansion.

They have "no consideration, no care for anybody else; they just want to be high up and look down," Petitto said. "I'll tell you," she said, that's "what money does for you."

Last week, the City Council approved an ordinance to prohibit building on or across ridgelines for new lots. In addition, residents living within 4,000 feet of any proposed hillside homes must be informed while city officials consider approval. But it appears that exceptions could still be made, just as was done in Hagadone's case.

Since selling his Vintage Club residence for about $5 million two weeks ago, Hagadone has begun moving into his dream castle. The lights have kicked on for the first time on the mountain, pouring from all the glass walls. The sight fills Ironwood resident Waldo H. Shank with fury "to look up on that ridge all lit up like a carnival each night and know that it was all accomplished by their pushing and shoving and ignoring all the rules."

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OMG that house is awesome!!!! If only it were closer to LA

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Site preparation has begun and construction is expected to start next month on Regency Tower in downtown Riverside, the city's largest downtown office project since the completion of Riverside Metro Center in 1990.

Situated at the corner of Tenth and Orange streets, Regency Tower will replace the recently demolished Riverside County Municipal Court building, a 1950s-era low-rise. Plans call for a ground floor coffee shop as well as a 3-level, underground parking structure accommodating 330 vehicles. Also planned is a second, smaller building -- possibly including a restaurant -- connected via a landscaped courtyard. The 10-story, 250,000 square foot office building is part of the city and county's efforts at redeveloping portions of downtown and will be the tallest structure built downtown since the 12-story Marriott (Sheraton) opened in 1985. The most striking architectural feature will be a dome situated atop the building at the corner of Tenth and Orange streets, which adds a distinctive feature over the typical flat-roofed office buildings currently populating downtown.We're glad to see the coffee shop and other similar commercial uses planned within the mix, which will help spur more and varied interaction at the street level. Likewise, we're also glad to see underground parking as opposed to a separate, above-ground parking garage, or worse -- an asphalt lot.Regency Tower comes on the heels of the recently completed, 5-story office building for The Press-Enterprise newspaper. A second 5-story office project proposed for Olivewood Avenue near Fourteenth Street is in the early planning stages. Together, the three projects signal the end of a 15-plus year drought for larger, steel-framed downtown office buildings. Hopefully, the recent activity will spur other developers downtown as opposed to simply planting down more low-rises on the city's suburban fringe.

Yeaaaaaaaaah.. I´ve known about this building for a while now, it was featured on some riverside newsletter that I get in the mail...

Here´s another cool project in Riverside, and this is like literally across a wall from my neighborhood, part of the same development, it´s very exciting, unfortunately I won´t be here to see it finished...

http://www.turnerriverwalk.net/

Msole also started construction too.

www.msoleriverside.com

ESRI's new building brings a touch of Scandinavia
COLLEEN MENSCHING, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/30/2007 12:05:02 PM PDT


Scandinavian sensibilities meet Southern California sun in plans for the new Environmental Systems Research Institute building.

Jack Dangermond, owner of the Redlands-based mapping software company, got his first glimpse of Henrik Hvidt's architecture two years ago at a conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"I was so impressed by this building that I asked to meet (Hvidt)," Dangermond said. "The nature of his architecture is just exquisite. ` world class."

When Dangermond wanted a new 80,000-square-foot-building for ESRI's New York Street headquarters, he asked Hvidt to collaborate with Redlands architect Leon Armantrout, whose working relationship with Dangermond spans more than 40 years.

In 2002, ESRI opened its distinctive, contemporary glass-walled cafe. Armantrout's design won three professional awards in three years. The new building, which features a dramatic glass atrium, will complement the cafe, Armantrout said.

"It's a very, very special building," Armantrout said of the collaborative project.

The building combines exposed concrete, natural wood paneling and, naturally, three stories of glass walls that support themselves.

"There is no steel on the glass. ` This is glass supported by glass supported
by glass," Hvidt said.
The site of the planned atrium has been a source of contention since 2005 when the City Council began gearing up for a vote on ESRI's request to close New York Street.

Dozens of residents spoke against the closure, which was recently completed. Only one council member, no longer in Redlands, voted against it. Mayor Jon Harrison, an ESRI employee, abstained from the vote.

The street vacation runs from West State Street to Redlands Boulevard, where the south portion of New York now ends in a cul de sac. The road continues on the other side of the boulevard. The atrium will span what used to be that section of New York Street.

Dangermond said the new building and the closure are necessary to ESRI's success in Redlands. He said the company has seen 10 percent to 12 percent growth annually in recent years and expects to add 500 new employees in 2007 - "the majority of which will come to Redlands," said Dangermond.

The nine-hour time difference between Redlands and Copenhagen means the architects' teams can literally work around the clock on the ESRI project.

"We're working 24 hours a day. When you're asleep here, we are working in Copenhagen," Hvidt said.

Planning Commissioner Eric Shamp gave high praise to the building's modern design, which he said lends itself to combinations of "harder" materials, such as concrete or stucco, and "softer" materials, such as wood.

Shamp said the project and other like it are as step forward for Redlands design.

"I think the tendency is toward an old town' look ` to replicate the old Redlands style. ` The older buildings are great examples of what was contemporary for that time," he said. "We won't have examples of what was contemporary for our time. We'll have replications of what was contemporary 50, 100 years ago."

The new building won't be complete without the landscaping the ESRI campus is known for. The tentative opening date is in December 2008.

Armantrout said he's never collaborated with other architects the way he has with Hvidt.

"We have promised ourselves it's not going to be the last time," he said.

Mountain Grove at Citrus Plaza - Redlands, CA

Mix the ambiance of a charming small town with an impressive array of upscale shopping and entertainment options and you have Majestic Realty Co.'s newest and most ambitious retail development yet–Mountain Grove at Citrus Plaza.
http://www.majesticrealty.com/images/newsletters/22/MG_1.jpg

Covering 62 acres with approximately 700,000-sq. ft. of retail space, Mountain Grove builds on the overwhelming success of the adjacent Citrus Plaza power center, also developed and owned by Majestic. When construction on Mountain Grove is complete in 2008, the two centers will provide complementary shopping experiences with more than 50 retailers spanning more than 1 million sq. ft. of retail space covering nearly 110 acres in California's fastest-growing region, the Inland Empire.
Visitors to Mountain Grove will enjoy an exciting yet intimate setting as they stroll tree-lined streets, and relax in lush, landscaped pocket parks - just the sort of attention to detail for which Majestic's award-winning Retail Development Group is well-known. Adding to the unique architectural style, Mountain Grove's very own central plaza will create a sense of energy and community in the heart of the development.

http://www.majesticrealty.com/images/newsletters/22/MG_site.jpg


Currently in the design and pre-leasing phase, Mountain Grove will accommodate a wide variety of retailers. Negotiations are already underway in Zone 1 where many national promotionally oriented retailers can take advantage of the ample parking fields and 210 Freeway (formerly Hwy. 30) visibility. Zone 2 will accommodate some much needed home furnishings merchants who will take advantage of the trade area’s incredible housing growth. A 2,800± seat theater, multiple restaurants and many of today’s “lifestyle” tenants will anchor the project’s Zone 3 “Main Street” corridor while also enhancing Citrus Plaza’s entertainment experience. Zone 4, fronting on Alabama Street across from the newly constructed JCPenney store is planned for fitness, general merchandise and additional specialty retailers.

Located on the northwest corner of the San Bernardino (I-10) Freeway and 210 Freeway (formerly Hwy. 30), Mountain Grove is close to some of the Inland Empire's most affluent and highly-educated communities. With the on- and off-ramps at Alabama Street and San Bernardino Avenue, the nearby communities of Redlands, Loma Linda, San Bernardino, Highland and Yucaipa are all within easy reach. For your leasing needs, please call Tom Cozzolino at (562) 948-4311 or John Hunter at (562) 948-4372.


http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site208/2007/0430/20070430_020837_map.gif

Plugging the 'Hole'
Redlands' plans to grow hinge on building boom
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 06/07/2007 04:59:23 PM PDT


REDLANDS - The expression "less is more" bears no relationship to development in the unincorporated commercial island here known as "the Doughnut Hole."
The large patch of turf north of Interstate 10, is already home to Citrus Plaza, a large shopping center that's a magnet for East Valley shoppers.

But more businesses are looming.

The developers behind Citrus Plaza are already advertising space in a proposed shopping center that could be even bigger. And that's not all. A Redlands-based developer is building another large center across the street.

"It will be a new city," said developer Charles House regarding the scope of enterprise being pursued in the Doughnut Hole by his and other companies.

The growth of the Doughnut Hole does not mean that Redlands proper has been forgotten. Chicago-based General Growth Properties is working on significant projects in central Redlands.

Redlands-based House Land Development Co. is behind the Palm Grove shopping center, which is under construction on the west side of Alabama Street.

The other big retail project in the works is called Mountain Grove at Citrus Plaza. City of Industry-based Majestic Realty Co., the company that developed Citrus Plaza, has proposed that project.

One of General Growth's more notable proposals is a concept that would rework Redlands Mall. The developers' plans would transform the mall area into an open-air shopping center that would blend with the boutique shops on State Street.

Inside the Doughnut Hole

Like a Hollywood blockbuster, the sequel to Citrus Plaza could be bigger than the original. County planner John P. McGuckian said Citrus Plaza has about 550,000 square feet of space.

Mountain Grove, he said, could include 650,000 square feet of retail, 300 dwellings and two hotels. Majestic Realty filed an application to develop Mountain Grove in early March.

In the parlance of developers, Citrus Plaza is a "power center" - a big place where customers shop in such big stores as Target, Barnes and Noble and Kohls. Majestic Realty vice president John Hunter said Mountain Grove will combine the aspects of a "power center" with a "lifestyle center." The latter term describes developments that mix shopping with entertainment.

Stores at the new center, Hunter said, could start opening as early as summer 2008.

He also remarked that the possible combination of entertainment venues and residences at Mountain Grove could spur downtown-style nightlife inside the Doughnut Hole.

The Palm Grove shopping center, House's project, is on tap to feature about 250,000 square feet of retail space. House is also developing two Marriott-branded hotels.

A J.C. Penney department store opened at Palm Grove last year. House expects the rest of the center to be ready for business by year's end.

The expansion of business inside the Doughnut Hole may not seem much of a surprise given the often-crowded conditions at Citrus Plaza. However, Hunter said it was initially a challenge to lure tenants there.

"Citrus Plaza was an enormous effort to convince the retailers that we had a market for them," he said. "It was one of the plots of the Inland Empire that was underused."

The Doughnut Hole is not only evolving as a retail hub. The land is also becoming a hive of industrial warehouses. Several large warehouse projects have been proposed for the area.

South of the freeway

Martin Vahtra, General Growth's senior development director, said the company and Irvine-based Hopkins Real Estate Group are moving forward with plans to raze and redevelop most of the Redlands Mall.

Other plans by General Growth call for a new shopping center to be called Redlands Promenade.

It would be built west of Eureka Street, south of Interstate 10. The retail center could include a grocery store and fitness center.

Of the two projects, work on the Promenade has gone further. Vahtra said he could not divulge the names of any tenants, but he did say that environmental studies are complete and ready to be evaluated by city officials.

Redlands planning commissioners are scheduled to discuss the Promenade project May 8, community development director Jeff Shaw said.

If commissioners give the project a favorable vote, it would be up to the City Council to decide whether it gets approved.

The revamping of the mall, which would leave anchor stores CVS Pharmacy and Gottschalk's in existence, would involve the demolition of much of the 1970s-era structure. The center would be redesigned so a private roadway adjacent to State Street would meld the mall, or the Village of Redlands under its new name, with the city's traditional shopping zone.

From a development standpoint, the project would be much different from the huge shops at Citrus Plaza. Instead, the Village's design is likened to turning back the clock to older, more urban approaches to development. Vahtra noted that plans are intended to be pedestrian-friendly and also call for residences to be built above stores.

"We're back to streetscape storefronts and using a model of downtown development that is decades, or even centuries old," Vahtra said.

Where the money goes

Redlands receives 90 percent of the Doughnut Hole's sales-tax revenues. Increases in tax revenues illustrate the expansion of commerce within Citrus Plaza since the center opened in 2003.

In fiscal 2003-04, Redlands tallied about $200,000 in sales tax from Doughnut Hole businesses. By fiscal 2005-06, that figure had grown to about $1.5 million.

If future Doughnut Hole stores turn out to be profitable, Redlands officials can look forward to having more money to spend on public services.

City officials do not yet have projections of how much tax revenue new Doughnut Hole stores could generate, finance director Tina Kundig said.

Also, Redlands officials won't be able to count that money for some time. Even if the Palm Grove and Mountain Grove projects are completed as planned, it can take a long time for city officials to reap the benefits of a customer's purchase.

City Treasurer Michael Reynolds observed that if someone makes a purchase at Citrus Plaza's Starbucks in January, most of the year will go by before a few cents of sales tax revenue gets passed to the city.

"For your cup of coffee, it could be September before we get our share of the action," Reynolds said.

look at all those parking spaces. fernys gona have a wet dream

look at all those parking spaces. fernys gona have a wet dream

THE burbs,, They dont know any better!!:bash:

look at all those parking spaces. fernys gona have a wet dream

:drool: Parking spaces and non compact:drool: ...Botox you know me well... Scary!:naughty:

Inland cities eager for 210 extension to open

http://www.latimes.com/media/mapimage/2007-06/30446062.gif
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2007-06/30446872.jpg

Although the opening of the final leg of the 210 Freeway through Rialto and San Bernardino is still several months away, merchants and city officials are gleeful at the thought of new businesses already being planned along the roadway and for another route to the Los Angeles area.

"It can't happen too soon," said Midge Zupanic, president of the Rialto Chamber of Commerce, which is so happy at the prospect that it will hold its 100th anniversary black-tie gala on an unopened portion of the roadway on June 22.

The $233-million, 8-mile extension is scheduled to open by the end of the year. The Foothill Freeway now extends 67 miles from Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley through Pasadena, Arcadia, Azusa and San Dimas along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. It ends abruptly in Fontana, not its ultimate destination of San Bernardino. About a three-quarter-mile portion of the extension is open.

The extension will link the 210 Freeway to Interstate 215 and the present California 30, giving many San Bernardino-area residents what they have wanted for decades — relief from the congested San Bernardino Freeway and an alternate route to Los Angeles. The effect on surface streets will be mixed, residents say. North-south streets congested with cars now headed for Interstate 10 should see an improvement, but streets near the new freeway should see the flow increase.

Significant work still needs to be done, including finishing on- and offramps and erecting freeway signs. On one stretch of the freeway Friday, 50-foot-long, 3-foot-diameter steel tubes rested in an eastbound carpool lane, waiting to be formed into an overhead sign. Workers were still digging drainage ditches and were gluing Botts Dots lane markers onto the roadway with a sticky, black ooze.

Not everyone welcomes the extension, however. Some worry that the extension will only add to surface-street congestion and change the nature of their cities.

"You'll get trucks coming and going," said William Avery, 75, of Rialto, "which is highly undesirable and dangerous."

Planning for the Foothill Freeway began in 1948. But the portion proposed for San Bernardino County languished unbuilt for decades because of a lack of funds and priorities that put roads elsewhere. But San Bernardino County voters approved a half-cent-on-the-dollar sales tax in 1989 that provided the money. Nine years later, construction began on a 20-mile leg, from La Verne to Fontana, that opened in 2002.

Work on the last stretch started in 2003. The cost of the entire 28-mile project is estimated to be about $1.2 billion, most of it paid for by the sales tax, said Cheryl Donahue, spokeswoman for San Bernardino Associated Governments.

Despite the lack of an official opening date, many residents are happy it will be soon.

"Beautiful! I'm excited," said San Bernardino florist Edwin Alvarado, who hopes to see an end to the 15- to 20-minute delays he says he now encounters on busy surface streets when making deliveries.

"Any time you have a main artery coming through your city like that, it has to stimulate your economy," said San Bernardino barber Jerome Lewis.

In neighboring Rialto, some civic leaders hope the city can now change its reputation as largely a bedroom community by adding restaurants and commercial establishments. Even a Target store has so far eluded Rialto, though the city is home to the store's regional distribution center.

And they say many residents are happy they won't have to drive as far to get to major businesses and will have a wider selection of good restaurants nearby.

"You can't be a bedroom community and not have the things people want — the upscale amenities and the restaurants we want," Zupanic said. Developers are already sketching plans to develop some of the vacant land surrounding the freeway extension. Zupanic said 50,000 new homes are being considered for a city whose population is 100,000.

Preliminary plans are being made to transform 112 acres near Pepper Avenue into a development with as many as 236 single-family homes, 550 apartments and more than 340,000 square feet of commercial space, said Peter Templeton, one of those working on the idea.

The opportunities for changing the face of Rialto are dramatic, he said. The northern part of the city through which the 210 Freeway extension runs is mostly barren, with rock-crushing operations and sand and gravel pits.

"It was the backside of town for all these cities," Templeton said. "You build a new freeway there, and all of a sudden you build new opportunities and a bright future."

Earline Black, 59, said she savored the idea of strolling down the street from her Rialto home of 30 years, browsing at a Barnes & Noble bookstore or a JCPenney. Now, she says, she often must make shopping trips 22 miles west to Montclair or 14 miles east to Redlands.

But other residents have mixed feelings.

Beverly Clayton, 60, said she would enjoy the new freeway route when she visits family in Pasadena, but worries about increased truck traffic near her home. She is also not happy about the idea of apartments being built close to her neighborhood of single-family homes.

"It's a Catch-22," said Clayton, a retiree. "I love where I am. I love my home. It took me 30 years, and I don't want anything to come in and disturb that, and decrease my property values."

Across the street, Avery agreed with Clayton's concerns. He also hopes, however, that the freeway extension will boost the local economy.

The retired engineer said there wasn't much of a job market in San Bernardino and Rialto. "It'll get better when they build businesses along the 210. They're going to get more sales tax monies, and this whole city will make major changes when that occurs."

Such changes have benefited Fontana, Rialto's neighbor to the west, city officials there say. When that city gained access to the freeway in 2002, Fontana was opened up to San Gabriel Valley homeowners seeking to upsize their homes, said Fontana Mayor Mark Nuaimi.

"We saw quite an influx of folks moving down east on the 210," Nuaimi said. "With increased property values came increased family income and commercial development."

Since 2002, he said, major shopping centers have sprouted near the freeway, attracting auto dealerships, home improvement stores, and, last November, a Costco.

As a result, sales tax revenue for San Bernardino County's second-largest city has doubled in five years, Nuaimi said. Money has been freed up to invest in a new library and 40-acre regional park.

"All of that is tied from the 210 and connecting folks to the west," said Fontana Mayor Mark Nuaimi. "It's really been a major lifeblood for us."

But some warn that the freeway extension will put more pressure on existing roads like California 30 and the San Bernardino Freeway heading east toward Palm Springs, which have not yet been widened to accommodate growing traffic. California 30 will lose that designation and will become part of the 210 when the extension opens.

"Everyone's excited about it until they come to the reality — and I've been saying this for years — of … all the additional traffic," said Ross Jones, the mayor of Highland, just east of San Bernardino. "Locals are going to have to stick to surface streets." The problem, Jones said, is that these freeway improvements should have been completed two decades ago.

"That's part of the transportation problem in California: We under-design and under-plan for the growth and the need," Jones said. "Therefore, all our freeways are crammed because the demand just continues to increase."

yippy!

Wonderful!!

The 210 will end by my moms house in Redlands, yeayyyy!!

anyone know were there are some construction photos of this? cant seem to find any, even on flicker

anyone know were there are some construction photos of this? cant seem to find any, even on flicker


Westbound California 30/Future interstate 210, begins as the freeway transitions from eastbound Interstate 10 onto westbound California 210/30.
http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images025/ca-030_wb_begin_03.jpg


The first three exits along westbound California 30/Future California 210
http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images025/ca-030_wb_begin_02.jpg

California 330 leads north from Highland to California 18 at Running Springs. This is the most direct route from the Inland Empire to Big Bear Lake and the nearby ski resorts.
http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images025/ca-030_wb_ca-330_02.jpg

View of the future offramp from westbound 210 to Campus Drive. The concrete poured here is the first to be poured in preparation for the new undercrossing at this interchange
http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images201/ca-210_wb_at_campus_avenue_02.jpg


and so on and so on.......all the way to Pasadena then the Valley.
http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/i-210a_ca.html

All the growth occuring in the Inland Empire is Amazing....Just earlier today I was reading about the population there and it has already past the 4 million mark....That's larger than the entire population of many other state's.

Such an Enormous Potential the Inland Empire has because of it's Location and Growth.

All the growth occuring in the Inland Empire is Amazing....Just earlier today I was reading about the population there and it has already past the 4 million mark....That's larger than the entire population of many other state's.

Such an Enormous Potential the Inland Empire has because of it's Location and Growth.

Its also a horrible location for smog...i remember augusts are the worst, it all just gets stuck in this region.

Yup their's smog,but thankfully the breeze or wind clears things up.

When I was there,it was rare to have a calm day with no wind or breeze at all...It felt very refreshing,but it was difficult whenever I go bike riding :lol:

Its also a horrible location for smog...i remember augusts are the worst, it all just gets stuck in this region.

Riverside, California
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=494732

soo... is this thread pretty much over? that's what I'm getting

No! not if you can bring some discussions and articles about the IE. I don't believe we have that many Forumers living on the IE well maybe like two. That's one of the reason this thread is a bit turtleish lately. So if you live out there you can be the watchful eye representing the IE.

Let us know if your up to it???

No! not if you can bring some discussions and articles about the IE. I don't believe we have that many Forumers living on the IE well maybe like two. That's one of the reason this thread is a bit turtleish lately. So if you live out there you can be the watchful eye representing the IE.

Let us know if your up to it???

Absolutely... not only do I live in Riverside, I am currently interning for the Riverside Community Development Department, Plannign Division. So I got the scoop... come tomorrrow, hopefully I'll be able to put up some unreleased renderings of proposed TOD's at both of Riverside's transit stations, and anything else of interest I come across!



For today:

I'll try to get more solid information plus a render later buuut

The Fairmount is a condo development proposed for Market Street directly across from Fairmount Park where an empty apartment building stands now. I'm not positive but it looked like seven floors and around 200-300 units, built into the slope there with 2 levels of underground parking and retail space fronting Market on the ground floor, which is actually partly underground, due to the slope. The units sort of staircase back from that level to the four-story tower rise, and behind there are five more 5-story buildings, linked by bridges, with a second-floor common area.

Again, more to come, but that's all I have for now. =]

Wow! The IE has a lot going for it self and we are unaware of any of this. Well maybe a small percentage but not as much. Why don't you post pix of some of the renders you come across. If not available then web address are also good...:righton:

BTW: Welcome to SSC L.A. Forum now got to rollcall and introduced yourself, then go to Show your face Angelinos and post a pix or mug of yourself!!!!

Photobucket is down for maintenance right now, so if the images are sketchy, blame ImageShack.


First, there is the Downtown Metrolink Station/Marketplace TOD plan, to be coupled with the relocation of the Greyhound Terminal to an area adjacent to the station. This looks to be about 400 units over 3 phases.

http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/7295/02overallmasterplanaerisx2.jpg

http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/4612/06rendering1pa1.jpg

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/1707/07rendering2kx2.jpg



Also, the La Sierra Metrolink Station seems to have something grand in the works... the details are even more vague on this one , so consider it a teaser:

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/5720/picture8gm4.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7536/picture9xt0.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2884/picture10fk6.jpg



This last project, [B]Magnolia Square, on Magnolia Avenue near the Galleria, to be built in an empty shopping center, is a lower-intensity mixed-use development incorporating 35,000 sqft of new retail, renovation of existing retail buildings (which has already begun), and 200 courtyard townhome, rowhome, and live-work residential units.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/8407/magsquarecv8.png

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/1810/magsquare2sk8.png

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/4956/magsquare3ft3.png



oh, and just for kicks, an alternate site plan for the Downtown Metrolink Station. This one seems to include a 12-story mixed-use tower:

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2130/picture6kx8.jpg

personally, I like the alternate version of the Marketplace TOD... it's much more intensive and mixed in use, plus it just looks more well concieved. The other, though, I'm assuming is more current, mostly because it's the one the Director of Planning himself uses in his powerpoints on SmartGrowth he presents at community events. :\

Hey unmentioned...thanks for the renderings. But I have a question: last night I was at The Grind and noticed that the old white building that sits right alongside the 91 (across from Pizza Hut) is being destroyed. Know anything about that?

It was an ANCIENT warehouse of some sort, and to be quite honest, I don't know what the status of that parcel is, whether it's been bought, is being developed, or just cleared to be made more attractive to developers... I do know that the city is looking for office proposals for that site, but I haven't seen any come through planning yet. Will wait and see...

I am digging the Village Plaza seems very doable for the IE*

Very doable, indeed. I think that Riverside can definitely handle even more intense projects than that. A city of 300,000 could easily, easily support large-scale office development, very high density housing, and highest-caliber regional shopping, especially in a region of 4 million.

Unfortunately, the problem is that NIMBYism abounds in Riverside, with older, lifetime residents who fear change of any kind. No one - developers, officials, or citizens - will take a risk and enthusiastically and unreservedly support something that is extraordinary for Riverside today but could very well be iconic of the city tomorrow. That's why there's so little here right now.

That's why it's such a huge deal that a goddamn 10-story office building was approved and is scheduled to start construction.

That's why I want to be a planner.

^ It's hard to believe that with the new wave of residents the IE is attracting, there's people out there who demand to preserve the IE as is. Their going to fight a loosing battle and eventually they would have to move out to Arizona or something. The IE is not going to loose out on soooo much revenue in the coming years.

Exactly. There are people who honestly think that this city can simply remain in stasis. The most frustrating thing about it is that if they knew the first thing about how cities work, they would know that they are living, breathing entities in and of themselves, not just an agglomeration of individuals and families living and working in close proximity.

It upsets me to see so much high-caliber office space go to Ontario or so much high-end retail go to Rancho Cucamonga or Corona or so much high-density, mixed-use, urban housing go to Claremont, while Riverside struggles, sometimes it seems against its own citizenry, to remain in its place as the principal city of the IE.

I don't know. There's a lot I have yet to learn about how this place works and what's not being done correctly, or at all.

*by the way, thank you, Ferney, for thus far being the sole contributor to this dialogue :)

Hey no worries you'll have some lurkers start to post here shortly. :righton:

Getting back to IE, your absolutely right about business choosing neighboring Counties to do business. I'm not sure what proposal or incentives the IE is offering businesses to lure them back.

One thing the IE has is endless land waiting to be developed. Thing San Bernardino County is running or will run out in a near future.

Also there's some brand new shops that look pretty sharp off the 15, between the 90 and Lake Elsinore...

^ It's hard to believe that with the new wave of residents the IE is attracting, there's people out there who demand to preserve the IE as is. Their going to fight a loosing battle and eventually they would have to move out to Arizona or something. The IE is not going to loose out on soooo much revenue in the coming years.

You have to understand that the area around downtown Riverside is surrounded by old homes. Some of which are over 100 years old. The people who live there have lived there for many many years. Those people are usually old money and are not really into new and modern things. While they have done extremely well at preserving the neighboorhood, they have to understand that we are no longer living in the Victorian age. Out of all the cities in the IE, Riverside is best suited to emerge as a great Southern California city.

^ Sounds like Downtown Riverside needs to be preserve then. While new development can be built on the outskirts of Downtown Riverside. The question is how lure big business to the IE before they open shop somewhere else.

^ Sounds like Downtown Riverside needs to be preserve then. While new development can be built on the outskirts of Downtown Riverside. The question is how lure big business to the IE before they open shop somewhere else.

Downtown Riverside should..or is rather..expanding both north down Market Street towards Fairmont Park (large man made lake/park), and east up University Ave towards UCR..though University Ave still has a way to go.

The Downtown Specific Plan stresses preservation of the three very historic single-family neighborhoods that are currently downtown. I'm talking about the oceans of surface parking, the automotive establishments, and the derelict buildings that for some reason people don't want to see go.

But ThreeHundred, you're exactly right, those are the areas targeted for the heaviest redevelopment.

With the flock of new residents moving in within the next 10 years. The IE is going to give SB County a run for it's money. While Los Angeles County would succeed as usual, it would be interesting what the future will bring to SB & IE...

[QUOTE=unmentioned;14340701]The Downtown Specific Plan stresses preservation of the three very historic single-family neighborhoods that are currently downtown. I'm talking about the oceans of surface parking, the automotive establishments, and the derelict buildings that for some reason people don't want to see go.


^ Can you post some pix of these Historic Hoods for our viewing pleasure. So we can get an idea what you guys are talking about?

[QUOTE=unmentioned;14340701]The Downtown Specific Plan stresses preservation of the three very historic single-family neighborhoods that are currently downtown. I'm talking about the oceans of surface parking, the automotive establishments, and the derelict buildings that for some reason people don't want to see go.


^ Can you post some pix of these Historic Hoods for our viewing pleasure. So we can get an idea what you guys are talking about?

I think the 2 main areas of historic homes are those under and around Mout Rubidoux and the Historic Wood Streets.

if you want to get technical, from Chino Hills eastward to the San Bernardino Mountains, is all considered the IE, all cities in both counties.

The region should work as a whole to secure sound growth, both physically and economically... I think a strong Regional Plan is in order.

I think the 2 main areas of historic homes are those under and around Mout Rubidoux and the Historic Wood Streets.

The Wood Streets are not included in the Downtown Specific Plan, but the Cedar Avenue/Almond Street/Redwood Avenue area at the foot of Rubidoux is, as well as one East of Market and North of 3rd.

if you want to get technical, from Chino Hills eastward to the San Bernardino Mountains, is all considered the IE, all cities in both counties.

The region should work as a whole to secure sound growth, both physically and economically... I think a strong Regional Plan is in order.

So what's the strong regional plan that's in order and what benefits would it bring to the table?

Ok..found some pics.

Here is Colony Heights (homes under Mt. Rubidoux)
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_homes/riv_hom_dt_004.sized.jpg
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_homes/riv_hom_dt_009.sized.jpg
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_homes/riv_hom_dt_010.sized.jpg
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one that identifies issues as far as traffic, housing, jobs, and quality of life in the whole valley, and then tackles ways to remedy them. Also, one that creates a means to tie the whole region together, not as a bunch of individual cities vying for tax dollars but one that creates specialized hubs of activity. One that preserves open space and accomodates growth on a regionwide scale. One that provides for regional, not just municipal, transit. One that will utilize our three major airports to their full potential, and links them accordingly. One that makes a region of almost 5 million people the economic powerhouse it should be, and the destination and pleasant place to live and work it can be.

people underestimate how beautiful this city can be.

Pretty cool looking homes, just like the one's in Angelino Heights.

So those homes are situated close proximity to Downtown Riverside.

Hey unmentioned..how would you improve downtown Riverside?

people underestimate how beautiful this city can be.


Not many are aware of what Riverside has to offer. Since it's just another County you drive by to get to your next destination...

Unless they know someone who moved here and just loves the place to death.

Not many are aware of what Riverside has to offer. Since it's just another County you drive by to get to your next destination...

Unless they know someone who moved here and just loves the place to death.

Riverside is the only 'true' city in the IE. There is no reason to go to San Berdo. Place looks like the bad parts of Detroit. I do however like going out to the desert only because I know a guy who can get me free ATV rides on the side of a mountain that overlooks the famous windmills. But Riverside, while not being the first place I would ever move to, will suffice for now. And you can feel it in the air that change is coming.

oh man... wow...

Mixed use, mixed use, mixed use.

There needs to be a strong retail core, but that can't be supported until there is a FULL-TIME residency in the densest areas - not just Colony Heights or Almond Street or Prospect Place - to patronize restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs not just at the lunch hour.

Offices with higher-end tenants to attract higher-paid workers who will live in swankier residential units. DT is mostly low income, which there is nothing wrong with, but we need a healthy mix to spur development. Not to be offensive, but poverty doesn't too often attract tenants for retail and offices.

Reconnect 9th Street.

Get the goddamn mall renovation underway.

Send ALL parking underground. Use every space possible; downtown needs to be crawling with people at all times so that businesses can actually have a clientele.

Widen sidewalks, replace sidewalks.

Convert historic buildings (like Rouse's Department Store and the Stalder) to residential lofts with retail below.

Visually and psychologically link Downtown and the Marketplace areas, in effect, expand Downtown to both sides of the freeway.

Lastly, create visual highlights - eg, a SKYLINE, or some really significant public art or landmarks - make it recognizable.

I'm sure I could think of much, much more.

I would have to agree about SB looking a bit on the ruff side these days. Although they do have a lot of companies moving in for some reason. Not sure how there fishing and/or tactics are but it's working miracles. Riverside to me focus more on Housing than companies. So now you have the needed residents, but 3 out 5 are commuting out to go to work. Which you want people to make the money to pay taxes and waste the money in the IE, not benefit another County while you reside in a another County. That is not benefiting Riverside at all.

I would have to agree about SB looking a bit on the ruff side. They do have a lot of companies moving in for some reason. Not sure how there fishing and/or tactics but it's working. Riverside to m focus more on Housing than companies. So now you have the needed residents but 3 out 5 are commuting out to go to work. That is not benefiting Riverside at all.

Which is exactly why Riverside needs to find a way to attract big business.

Riverside needs:

Better public transportation. When the last bus leaves at 9:20 pm, then you know something isn't right.

A Arts District. Riverside has a large art community. If a artist village was proposed and built, we would see a Riverside Renaissance. The lot behind The Grind would be perfect.

PARKING NEEDS TO GO UNDERGROUND!!!!

Turn Main Street into a Restraunt Row.

A 30 story office tower in the Justice Center.

A large, 8 story mixed use project on University and Lemon (?).

Get rid of that massive thrift store. The hell?

Level University Ave and create a 'Colorado Ave' of sorts. Line the entire street with mixed use projects with a 6 story minimum all the way to UCR. Clubs, cafe's, and any other fun thing.

And in the not too distant future, light rail.

we need the density, first though, before we seriously consider light rail. Light rail does little when it goes through predominantly single-family areas.

The L Corridor (Magnolia-Market-University) should be, and is, targeted for the kind of development you're talking about along University. A long, urban, vibrant, exciting corridor, 17 miles of a new, more urban Riverside. Once that is successfully established, I think light rail is a perfect complement to that corridor, but not before.

I would have to agree about SB looking a bit on the ruff side these days. Although they do have a lot of companies moving in for some reason. Not sure how there fishing and/or tactics are but it's working miracles. Riverside to me focus more on Housing than companies. So now you have the needed residents, but 3 out 5 are commuting out to go to work. Which you want people to make the money to pay taxes and waste the money in the IE, not benefit another County while you reside in a another County. That is not benefiting Riverside at all.


True, Most of San Berdoo is bad, with a really high crime rate....
and the businesses are warehouses that are moving in to the old Norton Air Force Base ( San Bernardino Airport) Property.
But North San Bernardino Looks just like that Riverside area, with Beautiful landscapes and Homes, I should take pics, next time im out there....

That just goes to show, again, that the IE is seen as a backasswards dirtfield too judgementally.

The rest of Southern California really needs to update their vista and understand that yes, there's a lot here. Certainly not as much as the teeming coastal megalopolis, but still,


you can't continue to write off 4 million people. No matter how far out they are.

I blame the bros and bro hos as one of the reasons why people don't take the IE seriously.

:p

Thought this was very interesting, and [hopefully] is reflective of a growing tendency for employers to relocate to where their employees actually live.

From the LA Times:

Wells Fargo takes huge lease inland
By Roger Vincent, Times Staff Writer
July 19, 2007


A regional headquarters of the home mortgage division of Wells Fargo & Co. is relocating in San Bernardino in what is believed to be the largest office lease ever in the Inland Empire, the developer announced Wednesday.

The deal, with an estimated value of about $80 million, underscores the attraction the region has for employers eager to take advantage of its expanding educated workforce and the resulting growth of the office market.

"The Inland Empire was traditionally known as an industrial market, but that's not the case anymore," said Paul Marshall, who heads Southern California operations for the building's developer, Opus West Corp. "It's become very well rounded."

Although housing sales in the Inland Empire have hit a lull, the area's growth pace is expected to lead Southern California in the decades ahead, said John Husing, a Redlands-based economist who studies the region. "The most recent group to start moving here en masse have been well-educated younger people who have in their minds a certain lifestyle that's impossible in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties because of home prices."

For those people, $500,000 can buy what would be considered "executive" housing in coastal cities, Husing said, and they'll work for less pay than they would get in coastal counties if they can avoid long commutes.

Since about 2000, Husing said, "Companies that traditionally stayed in coastal counties and served this huge economy from there are finding it in their interest to be here."

Wells Fargo is moving about 1,600 employees into its new regional headquarters, a 285,000-square-foot building on the northeast corner of Tippecanoe Avenue and Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. Wells Fargo will occupy about 90% of the building.

Office buildings in the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside have proven especially attractive to Fortune 500 companies, said real estate broker Ron Heim of Cushman & Wakefield.

"We are getting a lot more white-collar jobs and less blue-collar jobs," Heim said.

The Inland Empire's overall office vacancy is about 8.8%, down from 12.7% a year ago, according to Cushman & Wakefield research. Average monthly office rents are $2.04 a square foot, compared with $1.84 last year.

The market tightened even though almost 1 million square feet of new space was added in the last year. Heim said that office construction was starting to slow down a bit and that the number of new lease deals had declined slightly in recent months, but he expects the pace to pick up again next year.

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage came to the Inland Empire with acquisitions of two rivals there in the 1990s and decided to stay, said Cheryl Howard, senior vice president of corporate real estate. The move to the new building is consolidating the offices of those two former competitors.

Offices in coastal counties are "very expensive," she said, and the new offices in San Bernardino will enable the company to retain and recruit "a very diverse and educated workforce."

Opus West plans to erect another office building in Rancho Cucamonga, Marshall said. It also has one shopping center in Chino Hills under construction and another slated to get underway there in October.

un rendering.

http://www.inlandempireoffice.com/images/Northpointe-Rendering.jpg

[QUOTE=unmentioned;14444521]Thought this was very interesting, and [hopefully] is reflective of a growing tendency for employers to relocate to where their employees actually live.

From the LA Times:



A regional headquarters of the home mortgage division of Wells Fargo & Co. is relocating in San Bernardino in what is believed to be the largest office lease ever in the Inland Empire, the developer announced Wednesday.


^ I hope the Regional HQ was not in L.A. somewhere?

Probably OC somewhere


I figure, hey, if OCTA has the gall to fuck their employee base day in and day out by usurping upwards of 30% of lanes on the single East-West route between the job centers on the coast and where those employees live inland, and charge the highest toll in the nation to drive on that section of freeway, thus essentially making Inland Empire residents pay exorbitant fees simply because they don't live in OC, then it serves Irvine or Anaheim or whereever right if we manage to lure some regional HQ's inland.

^ Makes sense. Mabye the RTA will boycott all buses that run into The OC. The IE: North Korea of the US. Heh.

considering there's like two busses that go that way, it may not make much of a difference.


I think everyone should just illegally use all FasTrak lanes as a giant "EFF YOU" to OCTA. And then ignore their fines. If thousands of commuters do it everyday, they'll get some kind of message.



....or not. that's all very rash. ha.

I wonder if that could make a court case, though

Public gets glimpse of development proposed for Corona

By MELANIE C. JOHNSON
The Press-Enterprise

CORONA - The city of Corona welcomed the public Tuesday night to an open house showcasing the proposed Eagle Valley East project.

The scoping session, which featured displays of the mixed-use development project, was an opportunity for public agencies and property owners who would be directly affected by it to comment, said Terri Manuel, Corona's planning manager. The project has yet to be approved.

The open house marked the very early stages of the environmental impact report process, a document on which the city is the lead agency, Manuel said.

Corona has hired the consulting firm EIP to do the report, with applicant Eagle Valley Developers paying the costs for the study, she said.

Even with the report, which is expected to take about a year to complete, the developers won't get the needed entitlements for construction until the project goes through the city's planning and public-hearing process, she said.

Manuel said the 857-acre site, which the city would have to annex, has its challenges, including access and land that could be home to protected species.


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The land is in the city's eastern sphere of influence, north of Cajalco Road, south of Riverside County's Lake Hills housing development and west of Lake Mathews.

Eagle Valley Developers is proposing to build 4,600 homes surrounding a town center with 245,000 square feet of commercial space. Additional amenities include a regional aquatic and gymnastics center, neighborhood and community parks, multiple trails and a grade school for children in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The plans also include police and fire substations, a day care facility and a visitors center.

Templeton Planning Group is designing the project. Peter Templeton, a principal with the firm, said plans for the development include two roads in and out. The main road will include a six-lane bridge.

The project will be divided into five villages with a mixture of housing styles. A pedestrian bridge will link residents to the town center, he said. The plan is to make a self-contained lifestyle project where people can get around by walking instead of driving, he said.



Umm... I have maps and renderings, but they're in PDF format... how can I undo that so I can post them?

When is the IE going to build a High Rise Condo instead of these stucco type homes?

A) If you'll take a look back at page 1 of this thread, the Fox Plaza project about as close to what you're talking about, and also Polo Square in Indio, a big mixed-use project off Hwy 111 that includes four 12-story condo towers.

B) Those kinds of things will come when all the other aspects of the Inland Empire can support it. When the job centers are stronger and the coastal commute is no longer the only option but one of many.

C) Unfortunately for California, the only way we seem to know how to do things is out first, up later, and this is true for everywhere in the LA area. There's still so much land here, the incentive to build hi-rises is just not strong enough.

there's a million reasons, but Ferney, just because a place lacks height, that doesn't mean that things aren't happening and the area isn't improving. It takes time.

^^ Oooops my bad:nuts:, so how much are the condo's going for in the IE. Also what amenities does the complex offer?

I just hope that downtown Riverside can truly blossom. So much potential.

Considering site clearing hasn't even started yet, that's hard to say.

Fox Plaza is about 700 units on 2 and a half blocks with a 150-room hotel, most likely a Hyatt, 80,000 sqf retail along Market Street. Most likely run-of-the-mill condo complex amenities. pool, spa, gym, maybe concierge, whathaveyou. My guess for pricing would be smaller units (800~1,000 sqf) starting around $300,000 up to larger (~2,500) around $6 or 700,000.


this is all very foggy now. it's still in environmental review.

The Inland Empire has over 4 Million People and is Growing Rapidly...Developers should start building more High Rise Developments all around.

NIMBYism is particularly vicious here... people who have lived here for 50, 60, 70 years that have a lot of pull that would like nothing more than to see the entire area somehow regress to little hamlets tucked away in the orange groves.

I don't disagree, that density and height are key to successful growth in the area. But at this point, proposals for anything higher than 10-12 levels or denser and 50-70 du/ac would most definitely be killed by grassroots citizens' groups like SaveRiverside or Friends of Riverside's Hills.

in fact, the latter group is currently filing a lawsuit against the City of Riverside because the city's updated zoning code legislates for much higher density and compact development. go figure.

sad reality.

NIMBYism is particularly vicious here... people who have lived here for 50, 60, 70 years that have a lot of pull that would like nothing more than to see the entire area somehow regress to little hamlets tucked away in the orange groves.

I don't disagree, that density and height are key to successful growth in the area. But at this point, proposals for anything higher than 10-12 levels or denser and 50-70 du/ac would most definitely be killed by grassroots citizens' groups like SaveRiverside or Friends of Riverside's Hills.

in fact, the latter group is currently filing a lawsuit against the City of Riverside because the city's updated zoning code legislates for much higher density and compact development. go figure.

sad reality.


^ Sad indeed!

Riverside should ignore all letters and complaints and move forward with the much needed developments in the region. Since it's problaly cheaper to pay off a silly lawsuit than loose out on all the revenue the new construction will create with taxes and whatnot over the years. Besides the IE is more than ready for changes to accommodate all of new residents that would be moving in in the next 10 years. So best to start building now before prices to build start to raise and it becomes impossible to keep up with demand*

Hope builds for Seccombe Lake
Our view: ANR Homes project could bring new vitality to San Bernardino's downtown.
Article Launched: 08/08/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT


'Lakeside living" will take on a new meaning for Seccombe Lake Park as plans move forward for a vibrant housing commnunity at the downtown park that promises to bring a new kind of urbanism to the area. And a new sense of safety.
While the lake has attracted both families and the homeless to its shores, the project the city is hoping for will combine housing with retail to give the downtrodden park stronger appeal.

ANR Homes, one of the city's most active developers, was given the exclusive go-ahead by the City Council last month to work up a master plan over the next 18 months. ANR's basic plan includes 312 town homes and condos, along with shops and restaurants. The developer expects to be able to break ground in late 2009, even in spite of the volatile housing market.

"If anything, the challenges in the real-estate market have pushed us toward developing an even more affordable product in San Bernardino," said ANR Vice President George Jordan.

That's good news for San Bernardino, especially as the city tries to make its urban spaces more livable - and more attractive to urban professionals. A bid toward smaller, more convenient homes, closer to jobs and cultural activities, can only be a plus. Pedestrian trails will wind through the community along the north side of the lake, and tie the tract to the park's remaining 30 acres.
"People like me would move here to be close to the jobs and cultural centers of a vibrant downtown," said Mayor Pat Morris, a leading advocate for projects such as these that fill in old neighborhoods with a more modern component.

We're excited to see what the future holds for this and other projects around downtown that aim to take back the city and make it more sustainable for the long term. Downtown lakeside property that's affordable should be on the map by 2012.

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Construction of an intercagange in Riverside

That's a hellish interchange. Construction or not.

Is that beast what backs shit up in the mornings Eastbound all the way to Adams?

Past La Sierra on some days.

That project is supposed to help curb traffic. But in the 3 years it's been under construction, the IE grew MORE. So now it's pointless.

But it's better the the cloverleaf. And I don't even have a car. Lol.

I made my first day trip from Riverside to LA yesterday... Oh, my GOD. I hate Metrolink. I mean, I'm grateful that we have rail service here at all, but unless I want to leave for LA at 6:45 AM and be back by seven in the evening. ughh.

I got to La Sierra station, waited an hour for a damn train, the only one of which was going to San Bernardino, then waited another half hour for a train to Union Station.... and my day trip had to turn into an overnight trip because there was no chance of getting home that night anytime convenient... of course, the faithful Gold Line was waiting there to whisk me off to Pasadena to crash with a friend.

then, going home, after morning rush hour there is two (2!!!) trains headed this way all day until evening rush, 12:45 and 2:30. considering I had an appointment to keep at three and wouldn't have been able to make it back to Union Station in time to catch the 12:45, I was S.O.L. and then had to bum a ride off the friend who had already let me stay with her...


it's not impossible, but it's damn inconvenient.


ThreeHundred, I don't know how you do it...

I always take the 2:27. Gets to LA at around 4. I run around the city, spend the night at a friends, Lost Souls for breakfast, Cal Plaza for lunch, train back to Riverside at 4:15, back home before Ugly Betty.

Metrolink can be a bit of a pain to plan around but so far, I've been ok.

The original 300 tried to do the impossible and paid it with their lives. This time you did it with no life lost. :banana: :banana:

^ Yeah...that's some good drama.

Mountain Grove at Citrus Plaza - Redlands, CA

Mix the ambiance of a charming small town with an impressive array of upscale shopping and entertainment options and you have Majestic Realty Co.'s newest and most ambitious retail development yet–Mountain Grove at Citrus Plaza.
http://www.majesticrealty.com/images/newsletters/22/MG_1.jpg

Covering 62 acres with approximately 700,000-sq. ft. of retail space, Mountain Grove builds on the overwhelming success of the adjacent Citrus Plaza power center, also developed and owned by Majestic. When construction on Mountain Grove is complete in 2008, the two centers will provide complementary shopping experiences with more than 50 retailers spanning more than 1 million sq. ft. of retail space covering nearly 110 acres in California's fastest-growing region, the Inland Empire.
Visitors to Mountain Grove will enjoy an exciting yet intimate setting as they stroll tree-lined streets, and relax in lush, landscaped pocket parks - just the sort of attention to detail for which Majestic's award-winning Retail Development Group is well-known. Adding to the unique architectural style, Mountain Grove's very own central plaza will create a sense of energy and community in the heart of the development.

http://www.majesticrealty.com/images/newsletters/22/MG_site.jpg


Currently in the design and pre-leasing phase, Mountain Grove will accommodate a wide variety of retailers. Negotiations are already underway in Zone 1 where many national promotionally oriented retailers can take advantage of the ample parking fields and 210 Freeway (formerly Hwy. 30) visibility. Zone 2 will accommodate some much needed home furnishings merchants who will take advantage of the trade area’s incredible housing growth. A 2,800± seat theater, multiple restaurants and many of today’s “lifestyle” tenants will anchor the project’s Zone 3 “Main Street” corridor while also enhancing Citrus Plaza’s entertainment experience. Zone 4, fronting on Alabama Street across from the newly constructed JCPenney store is planned for fitness, general merchandise and additional specialty retailers.

Located on the northwest corner of the San Bernardino (I-10) Freeway and 210 Freeway (formerly Hwy. 30), Mountain Grove is close to some of the Inland Empire's most affluent and highly-educated communities. With the on- and off-ramps at Alabama Street and San Bernardino Avenue, the nearby communities of Redlands, Loma Linda, San Bernardino, Highland and Yucaipa are all within easy reach. For your leasing needs, please call Tom Cozzolino at (562) 948-4311 or John Hunter at (562) 948-4372.


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Plugging the 'Hole'
Redlands' plans to grow hinge on building boom
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 06/07/2007 04:59:23 PM PDT


REDLANDS - The expression "less is more" bears no relationship to development in the unincorporated commercial island here known as "the Doughnut Hole."
The large patch of turf north of Interstate 10, is already home to Citrus Plaza, a large shopping center that's a magnet for East Valley shoppers.

But more businesses are looming.

The developers behind Citrus Plaza are already advertising space in a proposed shopping center that could be even bigger. And that's not all. A Redlands-based developer is building another large center across the street.

"It will be a new city," said developer Charles House regarding the scope of enterprise being pursued in the Doughnut Hole by his and other companies.

The growth of the Doughnut Hole does not mean that Redlands proper has been forgotten. Chicago-based General Growth Properties is working on significant projects in central Redlands.

Redlands-based House Land Development Co. is behind the Palm Grove shopping center, which is under construction on the west side of Alabama Street.

The other big retail project in the works is called Mountain Grove at Citrus Plaza. City of Industry-based Majestic Realty Co., the company that developed Citrus Plaza, has proposed that project.

One of General Growth's more notable proposals is a concept that would rework Redlands Mall. The developers' plans would transform the mall area into an open-air shopping center that would blend with the boutique shops on State Street.

Inside the Doughnut Hole

Like a Hollywood blockbuster, the sequel to Citrus Plaza could be bigger than the original. County planner John P. McGuckian said Citrus Plaza has about 550,000 square feet of space.

Mountain Grove, he said, could include 650,000 square feet of retail, 300 dwellings and two hotels. Majestic Realty filed an application to develop Mountain Grove in early March.

In the parlance of developers, Citrus Plaza is a "power center" - a big place where customers shop in such big stores as Target, Barnes and Noble and Kohls. Majestic Realty vice president John Hunter said Mountain Grove will combine the aspects of a "power center" with a "lifestyle center." The latter term describes developments that mix shopping with entertainment.

Stores at the new center, Hunter said, could start opening as early as summer 2008.

He also remarked that the possible combination of entertainment venues and residences at Mountain Grove could spur downtown-style nightlife inside the Doughnut Hole.

The Palm Grove shopping center, House's project, is on tap to feature about 250,000 square feet of retail space. House is also developing two Marriott-branded hotels.

A J.C. Penney department store opened at Palm Grove last year. House expects the rest of the center to be ready for business by year's end.

The expansion of business inside the Doughnut Hole may not seem much of a surprise given the often-crowded conditions at Citrus Plaza. However, Hunter said it was initially a challenge to lure tenants there.

"Citrus Plaza was an enormous effort to convince the retailers that we had a market for them," he said. "It was one of the plots of the Inland Empire that was underused."

The Doughnut Hole is not only evolving as a retail hub. The land is also becoming a hive of industrial warehouses. Several large warehouse projects have been proposed for the area.

South of the freeway

Martin Vahtra, General Growth's senior development director, said the company and Irvine-based Hopkins Real Estate Group are moving forward with plans to raze and redevelop most of the Redlands Mall.

Other plans by General Growth call for a new shopping center to be called Redlands Promenade.

It would be built west of Eureka Street, south of Interstate 10. The retail center could include a grocery store and fitness center.

Of the two projects, work on the Promenade has gone further. Vahtra said he could not divulge the names of any tenants, but he did say that environmental studies are complete and ready to be evaluated by city officials.

Redlands planning commissioners are scheduled to discuss the Promenade project May 8, community development director Jeff Shaw said.

If commissioners give the project a favorable vote, it would be up to the City Council to decide whether it gets approved.

The revamping of the mall, which would leave anchor stores CVS Pharmacy and Gottschalk's in existence, would involve the demolition of much of the 1970s-era structure. The center would be redesigned so a private roadway adjacent to State Street would meld the mall, or the Village of Redlands under its new name, with the city's traditional shopping zone.

From a development standpoint, the project would be much different from the huge shops at Citrus Plaza. Instead, the Village's design is likened to turning back the clock to older, more urban approaches to development. Vahtra noted that plans are intended to be pedestrian-friendly and also call for residences to be built above stores.

"We're back to streetscape storefronts and using a model of downtown development that is decades, or even centuries old," Vahtra said.

Where the money goes

Redlands receives 90 percent of the Doughnut Hole's sales-tax revenues. Increases in tax revenues illustrate the expansion of commerce within Citrus Plaza since the center opened in 2003.

In fiscal 2003-04, Redlands tallied about $200,000 in sales tax from Doughnut Hole businesses. By fiscal 2005-06, that figure had grown to about $1.5 million.

If future Doughnut Hole stores turn out to be profitable, Redlands officials can look forward to having more money to spend on public services.

City officials do not yet have projections of how much tax revenue new Doughnut Hole stores could generate, finance director Tina Kundig said.

Also, Redlands officials won't be able to count that money for some time. Even if the Palm Grove and Mountain Grove projects are completed as planned, it can take a long time for city officials to reap the benefits of a customer's purchase.

City Treasurer Michael Reynolds observed that if someone makes a purchase at Citrus Plaza's Starbucks in January, most of the year will go by before a few cents of sales tax revenue gets passed to the city.

"For your cup of coffee, it could be September before we get our share of the action," Reynolds said.

Great, another development to take away that farmland.

Quick question but doesn't the IE threads belong in the West Coast Forum section???

Might as well put it here since it's the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Great, another development to take away that farmland.

This all used to be Orange Groves!
i dont know if you all pass through here but,
its just past San Berdoo, on the 10,
headin east.
On the left hand side, theres a bunch of huge Palm Trees, sticking up!
Beutiful!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/28/54620927_013abb149f_m.jpg

Nature is beautiful too, and we lose so much of it with suburban sprawl. I wish that there was some way to stop our cities from building out and just limit them to building up. It's ridiculous, that picture is beautiful and that farmland is great. Cities in the Central Valley scare me.

really though, this is infill development, not sprawl. Mind you, it is suburban-style sprawly development, but it's going in on dead and vacant land (any farms that are there are not turning a profit with this drought, I can guarantee you). It's less of a loss than would be plowing over untouched land for a new big-box center.

If anyone in the Riverside Area gets Downtown any time soon, someone should get some pictures - the Raincross Promenade and phase I of m solé are coming along quite nicely.

Once I had to go to a doctor's appt. in downtown Riverside, which is very far from Downey, and I was suprised at how nice it looked, I saw so much potential in the whole surrounding area. With good planning this place could be even nicer in a few years.

Exactly. It's a great area with a great urban framework, just in need of a little well-directed investment. There is already so much there, and with a full-time population it could support so much more.

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The New 91 interchange 60 Freeway in Riverside is Now OPEN. yayyyyy!!!

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The Regency Tower is offically under construction (digging up the parking lot for about a week now).

http://www.raincrosssquare.com/rxsq/archives/images/2007/2007-riv-regency-tower-500.jpg

It will be a bit taller than the Presely Detention Center which is right across the street:

http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_dt_buildings/riv_2006_dt_057.jpg

sweeeeet.... only five months behind schedule, at least according to the sign (Regency Tower: Construction Fall 2007)

Now, this is a 10 story office building, right..?

^ Yep.

It's in downtown Riverside btw.

Hello everyone! Im new here and im from Riverside!

Nature is beautiful too, and we lose so much of it with suburban sprawl. If it would be some beautiful nature like in Amazon forests, they yes I would agree. But most of IE used to be DESERT full of rattle snakes and tumble weeds. We still have plenty of those hills left "preserved" in its natural state. Sometimes they do get green in the winter, but rarely...

And now, the new nature is created in Riverside. For example Riverwalk (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=1639716305916215320,33.906165,-117.493930&saddr=&daddr=33.906272,-117.493608&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=16&sll=33.905043,-117.490947&sspn=0.008905,0.018368&ie=UTF8&z=16):

(nevermind the light poles, they are not as bright as they look in the picture)
http://lh4.google.com/elrusodan/RsoyCSEEEmI/AAAAAAAAAT0/nvJ_dKjqM_M/s800/HPIM3852.JPG

http://lh3.google.com/elrusodan/Rsox-CEEEkI/AAAAAAAAATk/bOYAcNIBvNo/s800/HPIM3804.JPG

http://lh5.google.com/elrusodan/RsoyAiEEElI/AAAAAAAAATs/lHVWAJpD_pY/s800/HPIM3808.JPG

And the new nature welcomes its new residents :) :

http://lh4.google.com/elrusodan/Rsox7SEEEjI/AAAAAAAAATc/0qr2ES5bt4w/s400/Duck.jpg

I had more pictures, but my camera got stolen. When I will get new camera I will post more...

Welcome :)

http://www.raincrosssquare.com/mt/images/2008/riv-2008f-dt-regency-005ac-450.jpg

http://www.raincrosssquare.com/mt/images/2008/2008-riv-regency-tower-001-600.jpg

Ground was broken recently on the largest, non-governmental office building to be built within downtown Riverside in over 15 years. When completed, the 10-story Regency Tower will also be the tallest structure built since the 12-story Marriott (Sheraton) Hotel opened in 1987.

Located at the corner of Tenth and Orange streets, the 250,000 sq. ft. building will include 3 levels of underground parking, which will be a nice change from the typical above-ground garage -- or worse, ground-level asphalt lots.

Our main question is why such a long dry spell between large, steel-framed high-rises? After an initial boom in the mid-1970s followed by mini-booms in both the mid-1980s and early-1990s, downtown had not seen a significant steel-framed structure built until the 150,000 sq. ft., 5-story Press-Enterprise building was completed in early 2007.

With having one of the few well-established and authentic downtowns within Southern California, it's difficult to fathom why Riverside has lagged recently in this regards.

Overall, our hope is that Regency Tower signals a new era of higher densities for downtown Riverside. The city (and the region) simply cannot continue building forever outward.

Btw...this is the new Press Enterprise Building.
http://www.raincrosssquare.com/mt/images/2008/riv-2007f-pe-const-mar-001ac-600.jpg

Hopefully this'll be some sort of catylist for a newer, denser, more urban downtown Riverside. It has all the potential in the world to become a Pasadena like downtown. But unlike Pasadena, Riverside is one of the few historic downtowns in SoCal. If I were in charge:

Rehab the Main Street Promenade into a classy urban shopping/entertainment center with restraunts, lounges, and art galleries. There is a 3 story parking garage across from City Hall that could be knocked down and a nice 30 story mixed use (office and residential) building should rise in it's place. The Promenade could and SHOULD be the focal point for downtown Riverside. When it nears Mission Inn, a nice pocket of homegrown classy restraunts should form. A restraunt row in downtown Riverside would be nirvana.
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_dt_pedmall/riv_2007f_dt_mall_044a.jpg
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_dt_pedmall/riv_2002_dt_mall_009.jpg
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_dt_pedmall/riv_2007f_dt_mall_051.jpg
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_dt_pedmall/riv_2007f_dt_mall_050.jpg
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_dt_pedmall/riv_2005_dt_010.jpg



This parking lot as well as the old Imperial department store could be used as a large art gallery/restraunt/lounge. A 8 story building should rise here.
http://www.s88163165.onlinehome.us/gallery/albums/riv_dt_various/riv_2004_dt_035.jpg

The entire area around the Metrolink station should be turned into a transit village.

Yeay! Nice office building! I want to work there! (any archiectural or civil eng. firms hiring there? :))

And that will be a nice view over the prison! Must be very motivating to work, lol

Btw...this is the new Press Enterprise Building. Besides the PE building, the RCC's new library was recently built, which is technically 4 stories (4th floor is the president's office) and they also got a nice parking structure (right during my last semester, when I no longer needed it, lol). So RCC is "urbanizing" also :)

If it would be some beautiful nature like in Amazon forests, they yes I would agree. But most of IE used to be DESERT full of rattle snakes and tumble weeds. We still have plenty of those hills left "preserved" in its natural state. Sometimes they do get green in the winter, but rarely...


But this is valuable farmland being taken up, and that's why I'm against it. It's very beautiful indeed, but we should preserve farmland in the area.

Someone should see if they can get some pictures of the progress over at Raincross Promenade and m solé. And not me. Because I don't own a camera.

by the by, does anyone know when the Hyatt Place is supposed to break ground?

Galleria at Tyler gets some schwank new signage.

excuse the cell phone pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/Pic0126.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/Pic0125.jpg

I saw this yesterday when I went down to Tyler street to go to the best buy. I think the new sign looks way better than the old one.

They've been installing that leaf logo all over the mall. I guess that 80's style yellow and green wave thing isn't upscale enough. Now if only they would rehab the inside. And figure out what to put in the old Macy's store.

I laughed my ass off when I read those rumors of a Bloomingdale's a couple years ago...

Whatever it is, I just hope it's not what they're doing with the Robinsons-May building at Inland Center (Mervyn's). Yuck.

Didn't Target move into a department store space at like the Glendale Galleria or something?

The old Macy's is absolutely horrible looking. I think that they should tear it down and build a new style there, or just leave it and put in more parking. There is never enough parking.

If they were to tear it down they could build it like the Nordstroms and make it look all fancy like. That would attract some big name department store.

The building itself, I think, is actually quite a nice exemplar of midcentury-ish modern architecture, and with some (a lot) of refurbishment it could look pretty stunning.

The Nordstrom is a well-proportioned and well-executed building but I think more of it would make the place look a little cartoonish, what with the hideous Cheesecake and the garish italianate cinema, even more insincere design is not what the place needs.

Current economic conditions considered, I doubt anyone's up for retail experimentation with adaptive reuse of an old dept. store. Chances are it'll sit until things start looking up again.

Its just something that we in Riverside will have to deal with for the next few years. Its not like its hurting anyone just sitting there. The only people that are suffering are the people who own shops at that end of the mall.

I like the Cheesecake but they could have put it somewhere else. The color of it just doesn't match the rest of the mall and it creates traffic jams to get out.

Federal agency includes funding for Perris Valley Metrolink line

08:19 AM PST on Wednesday, February 6, 2008

By DUANE W. GANG, The Press-Enterprise

A proposed Metrolink extension to Moreno Valley and Perris received a major boost Tuesday when federal officials included $50 million for the project in a budget proposal now before Congress.

The $168 million Perris Valley Line would run 22.7 miles from Riverside to Perris and include as many as seven stations. Advocates of the project say the new line will ease congestion and boost economic development efforts in the region.

"We have been waiting years for this to come down," Perris Mayor Daryl Busch said Tuesday.

Busch, a member of the Riverside County Transportation Commission and the Metrolink board, said the proposed line will benefit Perris and the surrounding community.

Others have raised concerns.

Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster, whose district includes much of the proposed line, instead has favored a special bus lane.

An express bus service would be cheaper and build public-transportation ridership before money is spent on a rail line, Buster said.

He said he also is concerned about the effects the rail line would have on nearby residential areas, particularly around UC Riverside.

The commuter rail line is one of 13 so-called Small Start projects included for possible funding in the Federal Transit Administration's 2009 budget recommendations.

The projects must be less than $250 million and can receive up to $75 million in federal money.

The money still must work its way through Congress. If approved, the Perris Valley Line would receive $50 million in 2009 and another $25 million in 2010.

The rest of the money for the project would come from state aid, local taxes and federal grants.

Sherry E. Little, the transit administration's deputy administrator, said the 13 projects, including the Perris line, are cost-effective ways to reduce congestion.

Construction costs for all 13 projects average $2.8 million per mile, Little said.

"It is a great bargain in terms of ridership and community improvement," she said in a conference call with reporters.

Construction on the Perris Valley Line could begin in 2010. Trains could begin running by 2011, with an estimated 3,400 average weekday boardings and 800 new daily riders, according to the transit administration.

The line would take about$6.5 million a year to operate.

The transit administration in January raised concerns about the cost of the Metrolink extension and urged local officials to control costs.

John Standiford, deputy director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission, said the county might not be able to build all the proposed stations at once and might have to phase them in.

Meanwhile, money for a$164 million, 16.5-mile express bus line connecting the cities of San Bernardino and Loma Linda was not included for funding in the federal budget proposal.

A spokesman for the transit administration said Omnitrans needs to resolve budget and environmental issues before the project could be a candidate for funding.

The bus service, called sbX, was included in the transit administration's small starts project list but was not among those receiving funding in the 2009 fiscal year budget.

Rohan Kuruppu, Omnitrans director of planning, said Tuesday the bus service has been approved by the federal government. He said he expects the project will be listed for funding in next year's budget.

Staff writer Imran Ghori contributed to this report.

http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2008/02-06/r_mp_020608_metrolink06_400.jpg

The building itself, I think, is actually quite a nice exemplar of midcentury-ish modern architecture, and with some (a lot) of refurbishment it could look pretty stunning.

The Nordstrom is a well-proportioned and well-executed building but I think more of it would make the place look a little cartoonish, what with the hideous Cheesecake and the garish italianate cinema, even more insincere design is not what the place needs.

Current economic conditions considered, I doubt anyone's up for retail experimentation with adaptive reuse of an old dept. store. Chances are it'll sit until things start looking up again.

Hi from Tampa.

I'd rehab it a bit. I agree that it looks fine the way it is but it needs to be modernized a bit. I'm surprised how well Tyler Mall has aged. And there is also a time capsule in front of the old Macy's.

hey soup or man, how do you like it in Florida?
How's the weather?

Support Rail. Write your congressperson.


p.s. Florida? Wow... Not permanent, right?

hey soup or man, how do you like it in Florida?
How's the weather?

Florida isn't awful. I've been here since Thursday and aside from Friday where the skies opened up and all sorts of hell rained down, the weather has been warm and breezy.

unmentioned: No...this isn't perminent. I'll be here for a few months for a job. Mabye a year so I can save up alot of money (everything is really cheap out here).

Florida isn't awful. I've been here since Thursday and aside from Friday where the skies opened up and all sorts of hell rained down, the weather has been warm and breezy.
Sounds fun. ;)
You will actually get weather out there, unlike back here.
Wait until summer, the humidity is ungodly.

Yeah..last night was a unfoercast thunderstorm that raised all sorts of hell. Now it's clear blue skies. I still have to get used to Florida roads. Really confusing. But I miss SoCal with a passion.

Riverside City College looks at its future in 2025 growth blueprint

By ELAINE REGUS
The Press-Enterprise

http://www.pe.com//imagesdaily/2008/03-12/rcc12_gfx_800.jpg

Riverside City College's long-range master plan outlined Tuesday calls for 15 new buildings and extensive renovations of existing facilities in the next 15 to 20 years.

Riverside City College interim President Linda Lacy emphasized the plan's flexibility.

"This is going to be a blueprint, but we hope it changes as our needs do," Lacy said.

The cost of the projects, designed to take the campus through 2025 and beyond, was estimated at $371 million in today's dollars.

Consultants who prepared the report suggested that a local bond issue may be needed to augment whatever state funding will be available once the proceeds from Measure C are exhausted.

The $350 million bond measure passed in 2004 has paid for a number of projects on the Riverside campus, including a parking structure, quad modernization and initial planning for the nursing/sciences buildings.

Full-time enrollment at the Riverside campus, now about 18,000, is expected to grow to about 25,000 by 2025.

Most of the enrollment growth within the college district will be absorbed by the Norco and Moreno Valley campuses, which are in the process of becoming separate colleges within the district.

The master plan for the Norco campus was reviewed last month and the Moreno Valley plan will be discussed in April.

Several trustees expressed concerns about the community's reaction to the consultant's vision for the campus in the years beyond 2025.

Elena Andrews, an associate with Steinberg Architects, mentioned that at some time in the future, campus leaders may consider demolishing Landis Auditorium, which was built in 1952, and building a new performing arts center at the corner of Ramona Drive and Magnolia Avenue.

Trustee Virginia Blumenthal urged caution when dealing with "certain fixtures that are part of Riverside."

"The college needs to maintain continuity with the past," agreed trustee Mark Takano, who suggested not using the term "demolish."

"I would say 'move' Landis Auditorium. That way, there is no sense that we are destroying it," he said.

Some of the projects included in the master plan for the Riverside campus are already under way. They include a new nursing and sciences complex along Magnolia Avenue, which is scheduled to open in 2010; a new swimming pool annex; and renovations to Wheelock Gymnasium.

The current 6,700-square-foot nursing facility is totally inadequate to meet the needs of the 500 students it serves, according to the plan. The new building will have 26,000 square feet of space with 26 classrooms and 12 laboratories.

Other new buildings or renovations outlined in the master plan include:

A new cosmetology building along Ramona Drive to replace the existing 50-year-old building on Olivewood Avenue. The current building's age and condition limit acceptance to about 28 percent of students who attempt to enroll.

A student services/administration building that would consolidate student services programs currently spread throughout the campus into a one-stop shop.

Renovation of Landis Auditorium to address the need for acoustical and electrical upgrades, compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, fire-safety improvements and updated equipment.

A five-story parking structure along Ramona Avenue with 1,600 spaces.

A separate band building for the 143-member RCC Marching Tigers Band. The group currently meets outside or in a few small rooms of the Huntley Gymnasium.

Stretch of Highway 91 to get carpool lane in project that won't start before 2011

By DOUG HABERMAN
The Press-Enterprise

RIVERSIDE - Caltrans calls it closing the gap.

The state agency plans to add a carpool lane in either direction on Highway 91 between Adams Street in Riverside and the 60 /91 /215 interchange.

The $240 million project, which will start in 2011 at the earliest, includes replacing several bridges over the freeway as well as adding some new onramps and offramps.

http://www.pe.com//imagesdaily/2008/03-15/carpool15_grf_750.jpg

The work will take four years, said project manager Nassim Elias.

Occasional full freeway closures, lane restrictions and detours will be part of the temporary price motorists will pay, Caltrans spokeswoman Terese Lagana said.

Knowing a big stretch of Highway 91 will face traffic delays for four years makes Moreno Valley resident Helen Claire want to avoid driving in the Riverside area altogether.

"I'll probably consider moving," said Claire, 26, as she envisioned the traffic hassle.

She drives through Riverside regularly and wishes the region had a better public transit system so she could have other options, Claire said as she filled up her car at a downtown Riverside gas station.

Carpool Lane Coming

The six miles in question make up the last section of Highway 91 in Riverside County without a carpool lane.

The carpool lane on eastbound 91 now ends near Jefferson Street. Heading west it starts near Mary Street and Brockton Avenue. Caltrans will widen the highway portions needed to complete the lanes.

Between 150,000 and 175,000 cars a day pass through the stretch on average, according to Caltrans traffic counts between the interchange and Adams.

Not all of the stretch needs widening to add the carpool lanes.

Between University and the interchange, for example, only re-striping will be necessary because the 60 /91 /215 interchange project extends that far out and has been built with the carpool lane in mind, said Mark Petrile, the senior Caltrans transportation engineer who is designing the project.

The interchange project is intended to end this spring. The carpool-lane project will:

Replace the bridges that go over the freeway at 14th, Cridge and Ivy streets.

Widen the freeway bridges over Jefferson, Madison and Mary streets and over Arlington and Central avenues.

Build a new offramp to take eastbound traffic to Vine Street east of 14th Street. The offramp will start before 14th Street and go under the new 14th Street bridge.

Build a new 14th Street onramp onto the eastbound 91 that will go over the new offramp.

Build a new onramp to the westbound 91 at 10th Street to replace the existing onramp at 9th and Lime streets. That will give more room than now exists on Lime for vehicles that get stacked up as they wait to get on the freeway.

Build a new 14th Street offramp on the westbound 91 starting farther back than the existing one. It will go over the new 10th Street onramp but will end where it ends now, at Mulberry Street near 14th Street.

The new onramps and offramps are meant to separate vehicles that are exiting and entering the freeway, Petrile said.

Change access to the eastbound 91 from Arlington Avenue for motorists heading east on Arlington. Instead of making a left turn onto the onramp, they will turn right onto Indiana and enter the freeway via a new onramp that will be built at Jane Street, next to the existing Arlington Avenue offramp off the westbound 91.

Eastbound motorists on Indiana will turn left onto the onramp at Jane instead of entering the freeway after crossing Arlington.

Tom Boyd, the city of Riverside's deputy public works director, said these last elements of the project are needed to improve the flow of traffic at the Indiana/Arlington intersection.

"It will make it a lot better," he said.

But a few businesses will have to move, including Feola Automotive Repair, which is at Indiana and Jane where the new onramp will go.

Head mechanic Don Carlile said the 40-year-old shop, in business at that location since 1990, is aware it will have to move for the onramp.

Caltrans hasn't come by with an offer for the property yet, Carlile said. He is hoping to find a new location nearby.

"I want to stay right around here for the customers," Carlile said.

Caltrans has been working closely with the city to come up with a project that will benefit freeway drivers while limiting the temporary and long-term inconveniences to drivers on city streets, Boyd said.

The public won't like the delays and detours the work will cause, but "those things are part of building freeways," he said.

Sigh.... At least they are doing something....

Although i dont live in the IE thats a long time. Here in Westford we have a road that links a big tech park and small retail to i-495 and the traffic is horrendous. Mass DOT isnt even starting to expanding it from 2 to 4 lanes until 2010.

http://www.aegworldwide.com/img/04_future/ontario_image_long.jpg

Ontario's coming events center a notable addition
OUR VIEW: Professional hockey team and concerts will be a notable addition to Inland Valley leisure and lifestyles
Article Created: 03/18/2008 07:49:12 PM PDT

Local professional hockey moved another step closer when Ontario Reign executives unveiled their new team's logos on Monday.

Reign players will wear the logos on their jerseys when they play at Ontario's coming event center, the Citizens Business Bank Arena, starting Oct. 25.

By then, construction of the new arena will be finished, bringing the Inland Empire its only such sports and entertainment center, not to mention its first pro hockey team.

This is a big deal for Ontario in particular and Inland Valley residents in general.

Hockey fans will have an alternative to driving to Los Angeles or Anaheim, as baseball fans already have in the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. With gas prices on the rise, that alternative will be particularly welcome; and lower ticket prices compared to Kings or Ducks games offer a more affordable family outing.

The same goes for concerts at the new arena, which will present acts that can attract 10,000 or 11,000 fans.

In Ontario, the arena is already driving high-end development in its vicinity that will improve the city's job picture and tax base.

And fiscally, the city has kept its eye on the ball (or should we say puck?) in the arena deal. The city is paying for the $150 million arena from the proceeds of land parcels around the arena site that it bought years ago and sold off after the price of the real estate skyrocketed.

AEG, which runs the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the Home Depot Center in Carson, will operate Ontario's arena under a deal that guarantees the city $1 million a year plus a cut of profits from events staged there.

That's a pretty good deal, secured by City Manager Greg Devereaux and his staff.

Team owner Barry Kemp, who is also a TV and film producer, joked Monday that it takes a couple of years to get a TV show on the air, maybe four for a film and, it turns out, about 10 for an arena.

It was actually more than a decade ago when Councilman Alan Wapner started pushing the arena idea, and it's been through quite a few twists and turns - different plans, different sites, different team owners, different City Council members.

But the city has stuck with it, secured good partners in Kemp and AEG, and now is on the verge of opening the kind of facility that will have a big, positive impact on the Inland Valley's leisure time and quality of life.

http://www.cbbankarena.com/images/main_img1.jpg

Riverside's suburbs finally get their own twin (wannabe) towers! Four stories tall ! Yeay!

Towers at Riverwalk. Almost complete!

I got some pictures pictures last night. It was dark, so sorry for the quality:

http://lh5.google.com/elrusodan/R_GFAqj5P_I/AAAAAAAABaw/QfzNatQ5YGQ/s800/IMG_0053.JPG.jpg

http://lh4.google.com/elrusodan/R_GFCaj5QAI/AAAAAAAABa4/NIJY2faeHdw/s800/IMG_0054.JPG.jpg

What else can I take photos of? I am trying to learn my new camera...

There is some new steel-framed structure rising by the McKinley exit off 91. It reached 5 stories already. Does anyone know what it is? Too tall for a warehouse I think...
They literally moved mountain in order to build that thing. There used to be a big hill before and they "shaved" it down.

Ohh, Corona Summit... I didn't expect that to be so large, I was surprised when I saw it the other day. It's definitely offices, which is odd, because I was expecting warehouses too. They've been grading there FOR EVER, it's disgusting how much earth they moved.

Annnnd if you want a photo assignment.... heh heh...

You should head downtown Riverside and get pictures of the progress at Raincross Promenade at Market between 2nd & 3rd, and m solé directly across the street. Also, you can head to the roof of the parking garage at 9th and Orange to get shots down at the excavation progress for Regency Tower. And, if you wanna, head out to Dos Lagos and check out what's going on with the office towers going up there between Temescal Canyon and the 15.


just some suggestions =)

Corona Summit! Found their website... Wow!
http://www.coronasummitcorpcenter.com/

Yes, that is amazing how much they put into grading and soils export, etc. That probably took the biggest chunk of their budget... I wonder if they will be able to even make any profit now, when the market is in such downfall...

But it is nice to see offices (real office buildings, not strip-mall looking office strips) rising here, offices rising in Riverwalk, offices rising in downtown, and everywhere else! Maybe soon most of us won't have to commute to OC anymore!

Also it would be nice to see the downtown Corona restored and brought back to life... It is a very pedestrian-friendly environment and it has this nice "old town" feel to it. But now it is abandoned! Most of the shops at Corona Mall closed up long time ago and now its a ghost mall with only a few shops open...

Progress at Regency Tower in Downtown Riverside:

(I have a very shitty camera phone and this was a very wide angle, sorry)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/regency3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/regency2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/regency1.jpg



and, while I was at it, the installation of the fabric tension sail things atop City Hall at the forthcoming Grier Pavillion, from the roof of the same parking garage:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/grier.jpg

^ Those were taken from that wedding cake of a parking structure right?

http://www.aegworldwide.com/img/04_future/ontario_image_long.jpg

Ontario's coming events center a notable addition
OUR VIEW: Professional hockey team and concerts will be a notable addition to Inland Valley leisure and lifestyles
Article Created: 03/18/2008 07:49:12 PM PDT

Local professional hockey moved another step closer when Ontario Reign executives unveiled their new team's logos on Monday.

Reign players will wear the logos on their jerseys when they play at Ontario's coming event center, the Citizens Business Bank Arena, starting Oct. 25.

By then, construction of the new arena will be finished, bringing the Inland Empire its only such sports and entertainment center, not to mention its first pro hockey team.

This is a big deal for Ontario in particular and Inland Valley residents in general.

Hockey fans will have an alternative to driving to Los Angeles or Anaheim, as baseball fans already have in the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. With gas prices on the rise, that alternative will be particularly welcome; and lower ticket prices compared to Kings or Ducks games offer a more affordable family outing.

The same goes for concerts at the new arena, which will present acts that can attract 10,000 or 11,000 fans.

In Ontario, the arena is already driving high-end development in its vicinity that will improve the city's job picture and tax base.

And fiscally, the city has kept its eye on the ball (or should we say puck?) in the arena deal. The city is paying for the $150 million arena from the proceeds of land parcels around the arena site that it bought years ago and sold off after the price of the real estate skyrocketed.

AEG, which runs the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the Home Depot Center in Carson, will operate Ontario's arena under a deal that guarantees the city $1 million a year plus a cut of profits from events staged there.

That's a pretty good deal, secured by City Manager Greg Devereaux and his staff.

Team owner Barry Kemp, who is also a TV and film producer, joked Monday that it takes a couple of years to get a TV show on the air, maybe four for a film and, it turns out, about 10 for an arena.

It was actually more than a decade ago when Councilman Alan Wapner started pushing the arena idea, and it's been through quite a few twists and turns - different plans, different sites, different team owners, different City Council members.

But the city has stuck with it, secured good partners in Kemp and AEG, and now is on the verge of opening the kind of facility that will have a big, positive impact on the Inland Valley's leisure time and quality of life.

http://www.cbbankarena.com/images/main_img1.jpg

As a giant hockey fan I am excited about this place. I will be making the trek to the IE to see the Ontario Reign play

Yes, Soup, that would be the wedding cake. The parapet walls on the roof are higher than I thought - I couldn't see over them. So those were from one of the lovely faux-Juliet balconies that are just so necessary on parking garages.

MURRIETA: Triangle development moving forward

By NELSY RODRIGUEZ - Staff Writer | Thursday, April 3, 2008 1:03 AM PDT
The Californian

http://images.townnews.com/nctimes.com/content/articles/2008/04/03/news/californian/murrieta/f8392958c7c237728825741f006e04f4.jpg

MURRIETA ---- Developers of a highly coveted piece of property in Murrieta have hired architects and designers and hope to begin construction next year on the "Triangle," which they envision to be a first-class destination for shopping, entertainment and dining.

Meanwhile, the developers are wrapping up a study of the environmental effects that the project would have on the 61 acres it will occupy.

SGPA Architecture and Planning will lead the architectural design of the project, at the convergence of Interstates 15 and 215, an area long referred to as the "Golden Triangle."

Keith Pittsford, principal of the architectural firm based in San Diego, submitted preliminary drafts to the city Wednesday, he said. The company designed the second terminal at San Diego International Airport as well as Sorrento Towers and the UCSD Ambulatory Care Center, both of which are in San Diego.

RBF Consulting of Temecula also has been added to the Triangle team to handle civil engineering.

Steve King of the Garrett Group, the developer that is partnering with the property owner Domenigoni-Barton, said that, if they are able to get all their ducks in a row, construction could begin in 2009 and the first phases of the Triangle could open in 2010.

Since the early 1990s, several projects have been proposed for the site and have failed.

One, which would have featured an entertainment center, buckled under a lack of financing. Another plan called for building a Western-themed entertainment center, which also collapsed because of a lack of financing. Still another proposal would have put a shopping center in the site, but that plan was thwarted when Temecula approved The Promenade.

"The reason that this one works and the other efforts to get the Triangle developed didn't work is because on this one, we have a high degree of cooperation," said Mayor Rick Gibbs, speaking of the Garrett Group's willingness to comply with standards for the project set by the city. Previous ideas for the Triangle that fell short of city standards included an indoor mall.

"The developers themselves are going out and hiring some of the top talent in the market," Gibbs said. "We gave them a very detailed description of what our specific desires, goals and requirements are."

The new team will present the concept for the 1.3 million square feet of developable space to the City Council in early May, King said. The project will then go through the standard approval process, which includes a review by the Planning Commission and the council.

"We're excited," King said. "There have been other plans, but I think right now the growth of the area will support a project sized like this."

Although the developer has said previously that some retailers have already signed leases, King declined to say which companies have already agreed to or expressed an interest in establishing shops in the project. The plan call for a multiscreen movie theater, multistory towers, office space, shops including boutiques and high-fashion retailers, novelty shops, home furnishing stores, casual and fine dining restaurants and a 280-room full-service hotel. Four parking structures will hold as many as 4,700 vehicles, Pittsford said.

The Triangle won't be another nameless shopping center ---- by its nature and by the design, The Triangle, when finished, will be unique, Gibbs said. The courtyard for outdoor events and shaded walkways will create an atmosphere of leisure, he said.

King said project leaders will attend the annual International Conference of Shopping Centers in Las Vegas this summer where they will seek potential leases for The Triangle.

Though no hotel has been named yet, Gibbs said he would prefer a hotel with a large conference center, which could accommodate a convention and events such as high school proms. Gibbs also said he wants the retail shops in the project to be a mix of trendy outlets and large stores, with a similar mix of restaurants.

"One of the reasons we're looking at 2010 for the retailers is because, given the economic conditions right now, a lot of bigger, more established department stores really have their expansion plans on hold pending a turnaround in the economy," Gibbs said.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/04/03/news/californian/murrieta/f8392958c7c237728825741f006e04f4.txt

Thanks Crash2010!
I NEED some Murrieta/Temecula news.

I was passing by Corona Summit, so I took a picture. Looks like they are framed up to the 6th floor already:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SAMLG60EwiI/AAAAAAAABd0/ctlcjsxVUOA/s800/IMG_0069.JPG


To my surprise the site is sitting very high up above Sampson (I thought it would be much lower after they moved all of that dirt) and is stepped up by two GIANT retaining walls (each about 30 ft. high). But I didnt take pictures of the walls because it was too dark and I didnt want to stop in the middle of Sampson for couple minutes to take pictures...


(Edited)
Actually, there is one giant ret. wall and one smaller retaining wall on top:

The view from the adjacent property:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SAMLHa0EwjI/AAAAAAAABd8/bNRxEIQc5Lc/s800/IMG_0081.JPG



The view from Sampson Ave:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SAMLIK0EwkI/AAAAAAAABeE/G0e7Taj-wOY/s800/IMG_0082.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SAMLJK0EwlI/AAAAAAAABeM/9LhIDhMfBs0/s800/IMG_0083.JPG

The lot below the wall is graded and staked. I wonder what will go here:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SAMLJq0EwmI/AAAAAAAABeU/kcCnMqXFteY/s800/IMG_0084.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SAMLKq0EwnI/AAAAAAAABec/sJB7MMtI7dQ/s800/IMG_0085.JPG

Ahh I saw those too... just a little ridiculous... but from Magnolia heading East, it looks kind of cool. It makes it look much taller and gives the area the appearance of some kind of density. Except it's set really far back from the freeway, 'twixt the two three-story office buildings it'll be alllllll surface parking. mmmmm.

Some more news

I am a student at California Baptist University (CBU) and got an email a few weeks back saying that in light of the economic downturn the Board of Trustees voted to wait to start construction on the 10 story tower to house students.

Construction was going to start I think this summer but the board voted to wait because of the current state of the economy and want to wait to see how enrollment happens to see if it still follows the current trend.

The BoT will review the economy and enrollment figures in October and decide to start construction or to wait longer.

The tower will be located on the corner of Magnolia and Monroe right next to the main campus.

Thanks Crash2010!
I NEED some Murrieta/Temecula news.
your welcome, there's a lot of stuff going on out here, especially by the mall! :nuts:

^^ yeah, do you know what is going in the 5 story building?

Some more news

I am a student at California Baptist University (CBU) and got an email a few weeks back saying that in light of the economic downturn the Board of Trustees voted to wait to start construction on the 10 story tower to house students.

...

The tower will be located on the corner of Magnolia and Monroe right next to the main campus.

I saw an article in the paper but didn't read it... 10 stories?! That'd be one of the tallest residential buildings in the whole city. Wow, way outside of downtown too. have you seen any renderings?

Um I haven't seen anything on it, but I can go and ask around school. If I can find them I will put them up.

I had it wrong. I was thinking of a rumor that I heard. I knew it was to good to be true.

Anyways, I found this on the internet. I like what they are going to do and want to do. Its actually great to find out how much the endowment is but also a little disappointing because we have had such tremendous growth the last 10 years.

I being a student here know how badly the housing is needed. In the article they talk about the Royal Rose/Rose Garden houses, and let me tell you, THEY SUCK!!! They are so small and not fit for students.



Uncertain economy puts Cal Baptist dorm, parking project on hold

The Inland region's fastest-growing Christian university has put the next phase of its ambitious expansion plans on hold because of uncertainly about the economy.

California Baptist University had pressed the city of Riverside to approve plans for a 662-bed dormitory and six-story parking structure less than three months ago.

It now says it will keep its long-term goal of growing to 8,080 students by 2020 but will not immediately invest in the two structures that were scheduled to open in fall 2009.

We don't need a 662-bed surplus sitting out there costing us money," said Mark Wyatt, vice president for marketing and communications.

While nearly doubling its enrollment in the past decade to 3,775 students, Cal Baptist has expanded beyond its original mission of training teachers and ministers, to programs to turn out nurses and engineers.

The economic downturn could prevent some students from attending the private, four-year college where undergraduate tuition, fees, room and board cost $28,150 for the current year.

Also, state budget-cut proposals and hundreds of teacher layoff notices sent by Inland school districts threaten the future job market for the university's teacher training program, which has about 1,000 students.

Arthur J. Rothkopf, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said that in a poor economy, students have less money to spend on tuition. As a result, small private colleges will have difficulty competing with larger, less expensive public institutions, unless they have significant financial aid available to students, he said.

"Second, the institution is likely to receive less in the way of gifts from alumni, which often goes to help cover financial aid costs," Rothkopf said. "And, whatever endowment they have is producing less or no return."

At the Inland area's largest private college, the 4,188-student University of Redlands, "We are not putting our building plans on hold," said Dean of Admissions Paul Driscoll, "but we are watching the economy very carefully."

Applications to the College of Arts and Sciences are down slightly this year, but Redlands is offering admission to more students, Driscoll said.

Wyatt said Cal Baptist's fall enrollment won't be known until classes start, because the university accepts students up to the last minute.

Other Plans Proceeding

Even while construction plans are on hold, the university is proceeding with renovation of an office building on the southwest corner of Magnolia Avenue and Adams Street for its nursing program, which was launched in 2005 and has about 130 students.

A portion of a leased office building across Adams Street will be redeveloped for use by the engineering program that opened in fall 2007 with 55 students.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v53/vidgms/cbu03_grf_700.jpg

"We are continuing in our growth mode but we're operating in a prudent fashion to make sure we aren't driving beyond our headlights," Wyatt said.

Renovation of the corner office building has been approved by the Riverside Planning Commission and is pending before the City Council. The proposal didn't have the same urgency as the university's dormitory and parking garage pitch earlier in the year. The commission and council approved that project even though it lacked sufficient detail and included several inconsistencies, according to a city staff report.

The report accompanying the dorm and parking structure proposal said that given the university's time constraints and insistence that it be heard, planning staff reluctantly recommended that those issues be resolved after the formal public hearing process.

Wyatt said the university will reconsider those projects at a later date.

Meanwhile, changes were initiated this school year to accommodate current students who were feeling cramped in classrooms, in the commons and during mandatory chapel services.

Back-to-back chapel services in the gymnasium created some breathing room. Some classes will be starting as early as 7 a.m. to make the most use of space. And the commons switched from serving meals at specific times to a continuous feed cycle from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wyatt said the university is developing plans to expand the seating area in the commons in the coming year.

Cal Baptist has nearly doubled its enrollment in the past decade and wants to more than double it again by 2020.

Joelle Seesing, a junior business administration major from Northern California, said she no longer has to fight for a seat in chapel and enjoys being able to relax and eat without having to worry about the serving schedule.

Since 2003, the campus has built a 55,137-square-foot, two-story administration, classroom and student services building and a 32,500-square-foot music building.

It closed escrow in December 2006 on the 13-acre Adams Plaza, a strip mall at Adams and Highway 91 southeast of the campus, which it purchased for about $22 million. Wyatt said plans for the center are still being developed.

And, in December 2005, it paid almost $16 million for the Rose Garden Village and Royal Rose senior citizen apartments along Adams Street east of campus for additional student housing. As residents move out of the former, students are moving in.

Kent Dacus, vice president for enrollment and student services, said he expects 120 students to be living in Rose Garden Village in the fall.

Academic Programs Added

Academically, the university will be launching a master's of science program in nursing in May. It is exploring a master's in engineering as well.

Wyatt said both programs were started to fill regional needs. When Cal Baptist began its undergraduate nursing program in 2006, it was the only four-year nursing program in Riverside County.

"There's a shortage of nurses and there's a shortage of seats in nursing programs," he said. "Our school of nursing is benefiting from that shortage."

Civil engineering was added as one of four specialties in the engineering school in response to a need expressed by engineering firms in the area.

Growth of those programs and the addition of others may help the university get through future economic downturns by bolstering its modest endowment, whose assets can be used to help cover general campus expenses.

Currently, Cal Baptist's endowment from alumni and other donors is just $12 million, reflecting the nature of the university, which was founded as a training place for teachers, ministers and other lower-paid professions.

"While we have thousands of alumni, they're not necessarily people of great means," Wyatt said.

Despite the economic setback, Wyatt said "8,080 by 2020" remains the university's enrollment and growth goal.

Cal Baptist grew 85 percent since 2000, which is more than twice as much as other private colleges in the region including University of Redlands, La Sierra University, Azusa-Pacific and Point Loma Nazarene.

The 100-acre campus should be able to accommodate most of the growth through 2020 with additional classroom buildings and residence halls.

"It may be necessary to seek additional physical growth of the campus but it's not like we're going to take over Arlington," Wyatt said.

Reach Elaine Regus at 951-368-9478 or eregus@PE.com

Photobucket is down for maintenance right now, so if the images are sketchy, blame ImageShack.


First, there is the Downtown Metrolink Station/Marketplace TOD plan, to be coupled with the relocation of the Greyhound Terminal to an area adjacent to the station. This looks to be about 400 units over 3 phases.

http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/7295/02overallmasterplanaerisx2.jpg

http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/4612/06rendering1pa1.jpg

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/1707/07rendering2kx2.jpg



Also, the La Sierra Metrolink Station seems to have something grand in the works... the details are even more vague on this one , so consider it a teaser:

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/5720/picture8gm4.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7536/picture9xt0.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2884/picture10fk6.jpg



This last project, [B]Magnolia Square, on Magnolia Avenue near the Galleria, to be built in an empty shopping center, is a lower-intensity mixed-use development incorporating 35,000 sqft of new retail, renovation of existing retail buildings (which has already begun), and 200 courtyard townhome, rowhome, and live-work residential units.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/8407/magsquarecv8.png

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/1810/magsquare2sk8.png

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/4956/magsquare3ft3.png



oh, and just for kicks, an alternate site plan for the Downtown Metrolink Station. This one seems to include a 12-story mixed-use tower:

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2130/picture6kx8.jpg

Unmentioned...
Just curious, where in Riverside is the "Village Plaza" planned for?

Village Plaza is a conceptual mixed-use transit-oriented plan for the land in front of the La Sierra Metrolink Station, at the corner of Indiana and La Sierra.

^^ Does that mean less parking spaces for the Metrolink riders? It is already hard to find parking at the Corona Main. :ohno:
I never tried the La Sierra station, but I think parking is a little easier there, since their lot is so huge...

Their lot is at capacity on weekdays all the time - but note that, in the graphic, there are two parking garages with four levels and 1000 spaces each. So, I guess the short answer is, "no".

However, I don't see this project, or even a distillation thereof, happening in the foreseeable future. The intensity shown in the initial conceptual plan with guaranteed be fought tooth and nail by area residents. Except me.

How feasible is the Downtown one looking? (I have to agree that the abandoned concept is much better, but I think one of either caliber will be a major improvement to Marketplace.) I hope whatever the city goes with will be enough to bridge the gap over the freeway to essentially continue Downtown over the railroad tracks and in the direction of UCR. As far as I can see, that is the only logical direction to grow Downtown since all other directions are blocked by RCC, Mt. Rubidoux, and historic Victorian housing.

Unrelated but still related to Downtown development, (maybe most people on this forum have checked it out already,) but MetroPacific Properties released a cool walk through video of the Fox Plaza "phase 1" development on their projects page; check it out...

http://metpacific.com/projects.html

I love this project, but I'm shocked that it's going forward as it is -- Riversiders usually have an issue with scale, amplified by a mean Libertarian, protectionist streak...

But hey! Who's complaining??

You can also read the Draft Environmental Report and see some floorplans at the Planning Commission's website: http://aquarius.riversideca.gov/plnimage7/Browse.aspx?dbid=2

Just drove by the Corona office development and might I say, going west it does not look that big, but coming back east coming down the hill from the 15 freeway, IT LOOKS HUGE!!!

Also, does anyone have anything on the buildings they are building in Ontario, or proposed/cancelled/vision for Ontario?

The Fox Theatre expansion/retrofit moves along:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/fox.jpg

These are the parking garage for the forthcoming Raincross Promenade:

...appearing to be completely finished.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/rcp2.jpg

Doors to nowhere!:badnews:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/rcp1.jpg


Annnnnd finally, Phase I of m solé is very near completion:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/msole3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/msole2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/msole1.jpg
.... excuse my finger. hahahaahah.

Here is a little Ontario love. This PDF shows current class A-C office space that is already built, proposed and under construction. The most noticeable building for me is a 10 story class a building under development on page 11.

http://www.ci.ontario.ca.us/ontario/index.cfm/2575/31272

man, i just read this whole thread and only now we're getting into temecula and murrieta??? lol. there has to be more credit for these two cities, riverside ain't the only city in the IE.

Hey, I just happen to live in Riverside, and am most connected with what's going on here. If you want more content on Southwestern Riv. Co., then by all means, post away.

^^ YES, please! Somebody post whats going on in Temecula & Murrieta! I've been there a couple times for my work (visiting Riverside County offices), and I saw alot of development going on when I was driving by. But I really didnt have much time to stop by, take pictures, or get any info...

BTW, I updated photos of Corona Summit im my post on page 8.

Hey, I just happen to live in Riverside, and am most connected with what's going on here. If you want more content on Southwestern Riv. Co., then by all means, post away.

course, im just saying though that most of the stuff on this thread was mainly on riverside - i was expecting more from temecula and murrieta though. this place was seriously nothing but dirt a few years ago.

Looks like soup is coming back to Riverside. My flight leaves at 11:30. *sigh* Riverside...

SWEEET


now maybe someone with something better than a camera phone will take pictures of Downtown. ::nudge::

Riverside panels delay votes on Fox Plaza plans


By DOUG HABERMAN
The Press-Enterprise

Fox Plaza will have to wait.

Two city panels that make recommendations to the City Council this week decided to delay for a month their votes on the downtown project, the largest mixed-use development proposed in Riverside.

The decisions by the Cultural Heritage Board and the Planning Commissions came despite the urging of city staff to vote this week. Some officials, business leaders and residents see Fox Plaza as a key to the revitalization of downtown.

http://www.pe.com//imagesdaily/2008/04-18/800_foxplaza_grf_800.jpg

Members of both panels offered criticism and praise for the proposal. Residents at the two meetings weighed in as well.

The development calls for as many as 532 residential units and as much as 76,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, and as many as 1,693 parking spaces in garages. It would occupy two half blocks and one full block on Market Street between Mission Inn Avenue and Fifth Street and would require demolition of the Stalder building at the corner of Mission Inn and Market, which preservationists oppose.

A Hyatt Place hotel that would go on Market at Fifth is the only part of Fox Plaza that has obtained City Council approval so far.

Members of the Cultural Heritage Board on Wednesday and members of the Planning Commission on Thursday said it was premature for them to vote on the rest of the project.

The city is accepting public comments on the project's draft environmental impact report until May 2, and one of the matters each panel must decide is whether to recommend the City Council certify the final environmental impact report.

The report analyzes impacts -- including traffic, noise, air pollution and the demolition of historic resources -- that Fox Plaza would trigger and it discusses ways to lessen the impacts when possible.

Cultural Heritage Board member Ralph Megna said Wednesday that in his 30 years in the development field he had never heard of voting on an environmental impact report before the public review and comment period had ended.

"I think it's appalling that we're being asked to make a decision," he said. "What does this say to the public about how the city treats their views?"

Planning Commission member Finn Comer expressed similar concerns Thursday. Planning Director Ken Gutierrez at first avoided responding to Comer's questions on the issue, then recommended the commission delay its vote.

The Cultural Heritage Board will reopen its public hearing on Fox Plaza on May 21 and the Planning Commission will reopen its public hearing on May 22.

It wasn't only board and commission members who had concerns. The pro-preservation Old Riverside Foundation felt so strongly that the city was rushing Fox Plaza through the approval process that it hired an attorney for the first time in its 29-year history, President David Leonard said.

http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2008/04-18/rfoxplaza18b_grf_400.jpg

The foundation is seeking preservation of the Stalder building as well as the storefronts next to the Fox Theatre up to Sixth Street.

The storefront parcels are not part of Fox Plaza but the city is considering constructing a 400-space parking garage for the Fox Theater and 12,000 square feet of retail space along Market Street on the north half of the square block holding the theater.

Architectural historian Pamela Daly said Fox Plaza, at six stories tall with some building elements even higher, would detract from the beauty of the Fox Theatre.

"It will be an island out there on the street," she said.

Several Planning Commission members also expressed qualms about Fox Plaza's height.

"Six floors are not compatible" with surrounding buildings, commission member Tim Maloney said.

But other panel members and residents said Fox Plaza is just what Riverside needs to bring life to downtown, especially after dark.

"I think it really is a major step in the right direction," Cultural Heritage Board member Dave McNiel said.

Cindy Roth, president of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, said downtown is empty after 5 p.m. and Fox Plaza would spark nighttime vitality.

"This project is instrumental to downtown going forward," she said.

Wood Streets resident Brent Lee said the varieties of housing types that Fox Plaza would offer, including live/work units, lofts and condominiums, would help keep young people in the city.

"I think this is going to make Riverside a better community," he said.

I love this project, but I'm shocked that it's going forward as it is -- Riversiders usually have an issue with scale, amplified by a mean Libertarian, protectionist streak...

But hey! Who's complaining??


Way to jinx it! ;D lol

Honestly though, with such a complaint about the historic Stalder building being torn down for the project, it being one of the main "issues", would it be that difficult to salvage it by maybe moving it across the street next to the Fox Theater? I mean why not? The city has managed to move whole Victorian houses much father... to other parts of the city even. I just wonder if it'd be possible. I think it would look great next to the Fox on the corner, and there would still be another quarter block left for the distant-future-proposed retail behind it and even merged to the Stalder building, which could also be used for retail or restaurants/bars.

Then it would be somewhat of a compromise for the conservationists.

I just hope they don't cut the height of the Fox Plaza. That would kill the grandness that could attract people to the area in my opinion.

Honestly though, with such a complaint about the historic Stalder building being torn down for the project, it being one of the main "issues", would it be that difficult to salvage it by maybe moving it across the street next to the Fox Theater? I mean why not? The city has managed to move whole Victorian houses much father... to other parts of the city even. I just wonder if it'd be possible.
How big is this building? Is it wood frame? Does anyone have any pictures of it?
And what is its historic significance? Just being curious...

And, if you wanna, head out to Dos Lagos and check out what's going on with the office towers going up there between Temescal Canyon and the 15.
I drove by Cajalco today and took some pictures.
Lakeshore Plaza, is that the office tower you were talking about? (just one tower there)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApebT4B7AI/AAAAAAAABgU/UFuH5C1WzJA/s800/IMG_0101.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApecT4B7BI/AAAAAAAABgc/iQq0WG2FyTo/s800/IMG_0102.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApedj4B7CI/AAAAAAAABgk/sBj66q6b_ng/s800/IMG_0103.JPG


I wonder whats with the new office towers in Corona all being 6 stories (Lakeshore Plaza, Corona Summit, and I think also Corona Pointe)? Are they up to the permitable height limit set by the city? (since they all top out at about the same height)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApefT4B7FI/AAAAAAAABg8/LUGasL_XT6Q/s800/IMG_0106.JPG


And the view from the top of Cahalco:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApenT4B7PI/AAAAAAAABiM/dSaVC_5RpT0/s800/IMG_0116.JPG

The Nowhere finally has its downtown! And it is right in the middle!::banana:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApejz4B7LI/AAAAAAAABhs/QBAHKEdcRBI/s800/IMG_0112.JPG

The other side of Cajalco (where the new theater and the shopping plaza are):

http://lh6.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApelj4B7NI/AAAAAAAABh8/LAdohDdxGi4/s800/IMG_0114.JPG

"Bonus" photos:
Mathews Lake: this is where Riverside gets its tap water from: (notice how clear and blue the water is :))

http://lh4.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApetD4B7XI/AAAAAAAABjM/F0y6AlcjYrY/s800/IMG_0124.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApevj4B7bI/AAAAAAAABjs/An8boKk3edc/s800/IMG_0128.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApewj4B7cI/AAAAAAAABj0/BCU1Ac5cI7M/s800/IMG_0129.JPG

The air seems to be more polluted than the water:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApesT4B7WI/AAAAAAAABjE/InfnVKdJdKg/s800/IMG_0123.JPG

The rest of the photos are in my Picasa album (http://picasaweb.google.com/elrusodan/Cajalco)

Personally I just don't see any historic significance of Riverside. So there are a few old buildings, tear em down if they aren't relevant anymore. Don't get me wrong, I love to preserve things, if its worth it.

I would just like to know why some of these buildings are so historic and great about them. Who was born there, Who spoke there, Who built it?

There is a reason that many major companies are going to Ontario to build their buildings rather than building them in Riverside. I believe that it is Riverside to focus solely on the 'arts' instead of blending the arts with big business they way that many cities do.

I really hope that this project goes forward. It would be a great addition to the city and would not be good if it got changed or altered in anyway it would be detrimental to the city.

And another view on Corona Summit from McKinley and some small residential street:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SApZgD4B64I/AAAAAAAABfA/vSgXNsraLFw/s800/IMG_0135.JPG

How big is this building? Is it wood frame? Does anyone have any pictures of it?
And what is its historic significance? Just being curious...

The Stalder building, according to www.raincrosssquare.com, once "housed the city's first fire station." Here's a good blurb on it from the site:

"Across the street from the Fox Theatre is the Stalder Building, which is actually three buildings unified into one facade via a 1926 renovation. A portion of the building once housed the city's first permanent fire station (1890s)."

So yeah, its pretty old, and historic in particular to the city (and county then?).
There are some good pictures on Raincross Square of the building as well...
http://www.raincrosssquare.com/mt/2007/01/out_about_01212007.php

Personally I just don't see any historic significance of Riverside. So there are a few old buildings, tear em down if they aren't relevant anymore. Don't get me wrong, I love to preserve things, if its worth it.

I would just like to know why some of these buildings are so historic and great about them. Who was born there, Who spoke there, Who built it?

There is a reason that many major companies are going to Ontario to build their buildings rather than building them in Riverside. I believe that it is Riverside to focus solely on the 'arts' instead of blending the arts with big business they way that many cities do.

I really hope that this project goes forward. It would be a great addition to the city and would not be good if it got changed or altered in anyway it would be detrimental to the city.

Um, I'm not an expert on the subject but here are a couple things I know...

I'll start with some basics and other random facts, and then I'll get to buildings:


California's citrus industry/boom originated in Riverside with the planting of the first Navel Orange Trees in the nation (croppings came from Brazil). All navel orange tree croppings in California and Florida originated from the Riverside croppings. One of the 2(or3?) original trees is still alive today right where it was planted in Riverside.

Riverside was at one time the wealthiest city per capita around the 1890s early 1900s in the nation. (Hence the many beautiful and rich structures.)
Teddy Roosevelt addressed Riversiders with a moving speech about their success in the citrus industry in Riverside.
Mt. Rubidoux is the site of the first Easter sunrise service in the nation (which still continues today).
The first golf course in California was in Riverside.
RUSD was one of the first school districts in the nation to desegregate it's schools.
There's more that I can't think of...

...So what you probably really want to know: Here's about buildings:

The Mission Inn is one of the two historic hotels in all of California. Presidents including Taft and Teddy Roosevelt, and numerous stars and other people of fame have visited it over the years. It has many valuable historic treasures within it's walls, and the building itself is a masterpiece in the fusion of architectural styles of ages. Currently, it's Christmas lights display is the 3rd largest in the nation. Annnd I know I'm missing some stuff.
For historical significance of the Fox and Stalder, click the link on the previous post.
The Riverside county courthouse is a work of art in itself and has even been in movies from what I understand. In particular, you should look up dirt on the county courthouse, the Riverside Art Museum, and Harada House. (I don't feel like looking them up and typing more.)
Not quite a building, but Riverside has one of the last real pedestrian malls left in Southern California.
Just to clarify, there are numerous buildings in Downtown that are over 100 years old or close to it.

While not all are worth saving or are as historic as many buildings in L.A. and other parts, more than a few are worth it, and are historic for one reason or another. I think many would agree that the Stalder is one such building. However, I agree with you in that the Fox Plaza should not be altered in efforts to save the Stalder. The building is doing very little for the city's downtown where it is currently located, and the Fox Plaza would do the city much better.

So there is the case and point you made, but my suggestion is if they could move it next to the Fox Theater, renovate it, and face the facade toward Market, I think the Stalder would thrive at that location because of the surrounding Fox Plaza. It would suddenly be a place stores and retail would want to be. Plus, both modernists and conservationists (well at least some) would be happy knowing the Fox Plaza was built unaltered without destroying a historic building.

Finally, the historic buildings are very important to Downtown Riverside's success because that is what makes this downtown so unique from most other cities. If they were all gone, most people would care less about Downtown Riverside, probably including businesses. Ontario has exploded more because it has had numerous tracts of vacant flat land available, and an international airport. Not to mention it's slightly closer to L.A. So in the trickle-down effect, it's currently gaining a bit more than Riverside. Although I think both cities will eventually start growing at a more similar rate with Riverside catching up in business growth rate. Take in mind though, that Riverside is still #1 in both number of jobs offered and total office space offered for all Inland Empire cities. Currently, Corona is #2 in jobs and Ontario is #2 in office space.

Chewsif, I like your idea about moving the Stalder, but something tells me that moving unreinforced masonry buildings like they do with wood-frames is very impractical... elrusodan, you're an architecture student... what's your take on that?

And a picture from the Raincross Square link:

http://www.raincrosssquare.com/mt/images/2007/riv-2007-dt-stalder-002-600.jpg

I think that the current plan, which is to incorporate the façade of the Stalder into the Fox Plaza project, along with a placque and historical display in the residential lobby, is the most practical and historically sensitive thing to do. Right now, the Stalder is a very small, one-story commercial building that until recently housed a few antique shops. Frankly I think the tenants are more upset about the loss of space that has dirt-cheap rent than they are about the loss of an "historic" structure.

And vidgms, Riverside is one of the few cities in the Inland Empire that even have a real history, or at least one that is preserved well. Take a tour. There's some pretty amazing stuff that can be found.

Oh and thanks for the pictures, elrusodan!

The Lakeshore Plaza will eventually include another 6-story tower and several 2- and 3-story buildings.

Chewsif, I like your idea about moving the Stalder, but something tells me that moving unreinforced masonry buildings like they do with wood-frames is very impractical... elrusodan, you're an architecture student... what's your take on that?
Unreinforced masonry? I dont know, but I doubt that it is movable... Don't move it, just wait till it collapses on its own, lol. But I'm curious, though. I will ask somebody more knowledgeable...

I understand the historical significance of the Mission Inn... But the first fire station? Is it really that significant? What about a first porta-john that was set at the first construction site? Should it be preserved too? :lol:

I understand the historical significance of the Mission Inn... But the first fire station? Is it really that significant? What about a first porta-john that was set at the first construction site? Should it be preserved too? :lol:

YES! It should! Lol. For me personally I'm more for keeping the Stalder because how old it is, and because of it's nifty facade. But in response Unmentioned's comment...

I think that the current plan, which is to incorporate the façade of the Stalder into the Fox Plaza project, along with a plaque and historical display in the residential lobby, is the most practical and historically sensitive thing to do.

...I was unaware that they were actually including the real facade in the design. I thought they were tearing the whole thing down and creating a "look-alike" section in place as part of the Fox Plaza building. Or by "incorporate" is that what you meant: create a "look-alike"? I think I'd be down with that if it was the actual facade because that is what I wanted to see salvaged the most. Having a plaque/display to top it off sounds good as well.

Man..downtown Riverside has changed in the month and a half since I last visited. Main Streed is being eaten alive. I guess that Main Street upgrade quietly moved forward.

It is indeed.

Watch for cranes at the Regency Tower site!!!!! ANY DAY NOW!!!!

aaaalright, well, here's my contribution to this thread. took these pics about two or three weeks ago around my place, mainly around the promenade (basically the mall of temecula) . not really HUGE projects er nething but they're pretty big for a town this size. i don't really got any official info though but chyea.

soo, this looks like it's gonna be a parking complex for the mall, at least that's what i hear. i mean, it looks like it...
i also hear they might be extending a macy's or sears or something. as for now though, this is the most completed thing around there.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0796-1.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0797.jpg

took a few pictures of abbott's new building. it's pretty much the tallest building in temecula aside from pechanga. it's also kinda ironic though cuz they laid off about 700 people last december. but who know's, maybe they'll get their jobs back once it's completed...

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0799.jpg
pic from the back of the building

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0800.jpg
clearer pic by the parking

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0803.jpg
here's a pic from the front. still doing some finishing touches i guess. (srry bout the fence)

i don't really live in murrieta but it's close enough to take a drive to and take some pics. here's some random development that im not sure of. it's on margarita road for those of you who might be living around here, just across the temecula border.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0805.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0806.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0807.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jyrrin/101_0808.jpg

well, there ya go. hope ya enjoyed that cuz, i wasted gas getting those pics (haha jk, hardly) :cheers:

I was going to make a snide comment about that parking garage, but then I remembered that my very own Riverside is home to this monstrosity:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/riv-2005-dt-parking-002-600.jpg

I was going to make a snide comment about that parking garage, but then I remembered that my very own Riverside is home to this monstrosity:

http://www.raincrosssquare.com/mt/images/2006/riv-2005-dt-parking-002-600.jpg


lol, can't really see it but there's this one other parking block that's connected to that abbott building up there. that thing was straight up concrete n nothing else - i didn't even bother taking a pic of that.

I was going to make a snide comment about that parking garage...

Actually, IMHO, the structure doesnt look too bad. At least it is painted... A good way to "improve" it would be planting some tall trees (but not lightpole-looking palm trees) in front of it to partially block it... Also the "greenest" way to improve it also (if they want to score some LEED points, lol)

I remembered that my very own Riverside is home to this monstrosity...
Monstrosity? I actually like it! Where is that? I havent seen it before...

downtown Riverside, at... 9th & Orange, I believe?

it's a horrific faux-Italianate, green-and-orange beast of a parking structure. Check it out for yourself.

I was going to make a snide comment about that parking garage, but then I remembered that my very own Riverside is home to this monstrosity:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/riv-2005-dt-parking-002-600.jpg

The concept and from a distance it looks nice. The problem with it is really just that they stuccoed the hell out of it. If the developer would have used real stones and natural concrete for the sculpted parts (maybe brick for the arches?) I think the structure would be close to a perfect fit for the area. It feels just a little too artificial.

I personally think I hate the faux balustrades the most. I could tolerate it without them alone.

The lot below the wall is graded and staked. I wonder what will go here:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SAMLKq0EwnI/AAAAAAAABec/sJB7MMtI7dQ/s800/IMG_0085.JPG


Looks like "what will go there" is a parking structure! At least that is what it looked like to me when I drove by there last night:


http://lh5.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SCPHIjxf2eI/AAAAAAAABtA/8U6FAjEGnP4/s800/IMG_0241.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/elrusodan/SCPHJDxf2fI/AAAAAAAABtI/C3GmCOT9IbI/s800/IMG_0242.JPG

This is a bit strange because there is nothing on Corona Summit's website that has any info about the parking structure (but then there is almost no info at all about the entire project...)

Anyone in the Ontario area:


you should see if you can get some shots of the progress at Citizen's Business Bank Arena.

=]

...aaaaaaaaaaand no one is from Ontario ;)

hahaha. Clearly. I never make it over there anyway.

I was there (well drove by) the site on the 60. So far it's a hole but it's progressing.

.....

It's too hot and The Grind is dead. I need another smoothie.

Environmental report details possible drawbacks of Riverside's Fox Plaza project

By DOUG HABERMAN
The Press-Enterprise

RIVERSIDE - The proposed Fox Plaza project would create a number of negative impacts but the biggest would be increased traffic and air pollution and the demolition of historic resources downtown, according to an environmental report.

The City Council ultimately will have to decide whether the project's benefits outweigh the likely negative effects.

Fox Plaza calls for as many as 532 residential units, up to 76,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space and as many as 1,693 parking spaces in garages.

It would occupy two partial blocks on the east side of Market Street between Mission Inn Avenue and Fifth Street and the square block bounded by Market, Sixth Street, Fairmount Boulevard and Fifth Street.

The Cultural Heritage Board, at 3:30 p.m. today, and the Planning Commission, at 9 a.m. Thursday, are set to discuss whether to recommend council approval of the environmental impact report and the project.

Chani Beeman, chairwoman of the Downtown Area Neighborhood Association, said residents are keenly interested in the project.

"They see it as setting the tone for how Riverside creates its urban landscape," she said.

The environmental impact report calls for the developer of Fox Plaza, Northern California-based MetroPacific Properties LLC, to take measures to lessen the project's effects.

For example, it calls for the company to add a lane to the single-lane onramp at Lime and Ninth streets onto westbound Highway 91 for the extra traffic the project would generate.

But in some instances, there is no way to make up completely for a drawback -- such as demolition of historic structures, including the Stalder building across Market from the Fox Theatre, the building holding two antique stores just north of the theater, and several other buildings, including the Riverside Assembly of God church at Fifth and Fairmount.

In such cases, if the council wants to approve Fox Plaza, it will have to find that the project is so vital to the city that its benefits offset the negative impacts.

The Old Riverside Foundation, a nonprofit preservationist group, sent a 15-page letter to the city in late April arguing that the environmental impact report is inadequate as well as biased in favor of the project.

The project has so many negative effects that it is not suitable for the location as proposed, the letter said.

"The bottom line is that we believe the EIR needs substantial revision," foundation President David Leonard wrote.

Riverside architect Randy Sawn sent an e-mail to colleagues urging them to speak out at the two meetings.

"This project is too massive and overbearing for the area in which it is being placed," he said.

City Development Director Belinda Graham said Fox Plaza is in line with the city's guidelines for development downtown. Those guidelines envision urban-style buildings, she said.

"That's what this project provides," Graham said.

The report estimates 1,634 people would live in the residential units and another 45 people would relocate to Riverside with their families to work in Fox Plaza's restaurants and shops -- a population increase of 1,772 people.

Based on an analysis prepared for the project, Fox Plaza and a 400-space garage next to the Fox Theatre together would generate almost 10,000 vehicle trips a day.

More trips would mean more pollution, especially diesel exhaust from delivery trucks serving the businesses at Fox Plaza, the report says.

________________________________________



This doesn't look well.

Just this article itself is incendiary and fails to mention the enormous benefits the project offers.

They just released another article stating that the City Planning Commission is in favor for the council to approve part of the project... that being the building that is on the same half block as the Hyatt. Assuming the council approves it, at least one of the half blocks will be fully built and un-tampered with. It seems, however, that the block where the Stalder building stands is in for a long grueling redesign. I'm not really liking what is being suggested for its change.

This really cracked me up...

"The commission said the council should require MetroPacific to scale back and redesign that portion of the project so it is not as massive, and has fewer units and architecture more like that of the Mission Inn and the Fox Theatre."

Yeah okay, so what architectural style does it resemble then? In fact, it reflects the design of the Mission Inn and Fox more than all the other buildings part of the Fox Plaza project and all the other condo projects currently being built in the area as well.

And then this really made me mad...

"Twenty-five people -- many of them members of the preservationist group Old Riverside Foundation -- spoke against the proposed demolition of the Stalder building and against Fox Plaza's proposed size, bulk, the number of condominiums and its likely impact on traffic."

They are worried about the impact on traffic. OMG. Traffic comes with a healthy downtown! Wait, and they are worried about the size of six-story buildings when being next to a 12-story Marriott? With their backward heads, Downtown Riverside will never be allowed to become a true downtown that thrives.

Frustrating.

That's because the Old Riverside Foundation is rife with geniuses whom are completely and utterly convinced that anything old is automatically historic. The Mission Inn is historic. It's hosted Presidents and shit. The Heritage House is historic; Eliza Tibbets lived there. The Stalder Building is just a small commercial building stitched together in the thirties from three other, smaller commercial buildings. I fail to see any historic value in the Stalder Building beyond its age.

And I totally agree. If these people are upset about 6-8 stories, we have some serious issues.

The generation that is doing all the complaining is poised to do some serious dying-off soon, though. Which I think is great. Maybe in ten or fifteen years some real progress can be made in Riverside.

I know Unmentioned posted images of mSole and Raincross Promenade already, but I figure I could contribute an update on both projects or at least offer some high quality shots...

M'Sole... now without the fence! ;)

http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/0.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/1.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/2.jpg

With the garage finished, it appears ground is broken for the actual Raincross Promenade condos (finally).

http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/3.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/4.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/5.jpg

That's all I had time for. I'm anxious to see how close Raincross Promenade comes to the only concept rendering I could find on the project...

http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/raincrosspromenade.jpg

The generation that is doing all the complaining is poised to do some serious dying-off soon
:hilarious:hilarious:hilarious

oOOOOoooOOooohhhh foundation work! =D Thanks, Chewsif!

and it's true. anywhere you go, all the squawkers in the public meetings are on average like 90.

Well, why don't we go there to bring the average age down. Shoot lets see. I am 20, they're 90, 20+90+110 110/2= 55.

OH SHOOT. IF I GO THEN THE AVERAGE AGE WILL BE 55!!!!. Tell me when and where and I will go. FOR THE CITY!!!

Anyone remember The Villagio in Riverside? I wish it was built as it could've bought some life near the Convention Center.

Part of Fox Plaza sits on the same two blocks the Villagio would've occupied. Like the Fox Plaza, the Villagio was the victim of a lack of boldness and vision on the part of the people in charge and ignorance on the part of people who complained that it was "too big" (seven stories is by NO MEANS big).

It's an extreme disappointment and a display of a lack of forethought and shortsightedness that the Planning Commission would recommend such a significant downsizing of Phase II.

People need to understand that if Downtown is going to become anything respectable, bold and ostensibly risky moves need to be made, in the interest of building momentum and creating a mood of chage, growth, and dynamism that will draw people there. Incrementalism is the best way to ensure a chain of failed ventures that floundered out of a lack of interest that will stem from a perception of stagnance.

Go big or go home.

IMPORTANT!

Hey everyone, especially Riversiders, there is a meeting today (Tuesday) at 3PM at City Hall regarding the Fox Plaza Development. If you read the article this morning on "Some say downtown Stalder Building should be saved" you will probably be as pissed off as I am. This is that chance to speak out, and I'm again pissed because YESTERDAY was my day off from work, so I can't even represent today.

So if any of you are not doing anything at 3PM, head over there and add a younger presence + more logical reasoning of why NOT to save the Stalder, and why it is the Fox Plaza that should be SAVED.

Stuff to hit them with:
1. What are we going to do with the Stalder if it's saved?
2. The Stalder is not a landmark.
3. The Stalder will make the corner of Mission Inn and Market dead if left as is.

For persuasive compromises maybe this (if you agree):
1. Keep/restore the real facade of the Stalder and build the Fox project incorporating the real facade instead of making a replica.

Damn it, I really want to attend. Booo. Hoping some of you can.

Well, a couple wins and a couple losses...

The "Phase I" block with the Hyatt and condos is approved, and the enviromental impact report is approved. But it looks like the other two blocks will be undergoing redesigns for sure. I really liked "Phase II" (the one in place of the Stalder), I thought it looked the best... Ah well, maybe some of it's luster will be kept for the redesign. The one thing that might be cool out of all this is the Stalder facade may actually be used in the new design, but I guess we will see...

Why can't they gut the Stalder while leaving the facade and build on top of it? Matter of fact, why can't Riverside build on top of it's numerous parking structures?

That exact idea was a part of the original Fox Plaza proposal. The Planning department specifically required it contingent to the plan's affirmative staff reccomendation.

I won't even speak of how disappointed I am about the Planning Commission's recommendation to scale Phase II back.




Meanwhile, things move forward over at 9th & Orange:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/riv-2008f-dt-regency-020-450.jpg

I loved this editorial in the usually-asinine Press Enterprise:

Downtown idle?


Riverside cannot attract people and commerce to its downtown by tangling vital projects in pitched battles over marginally historic buildings. Preserving the city's heritage should not come at the cost of forgoing its future.

Projects such as the Fox Plaza development are what the city needs to bring life to a struggling downtown. The City Council approved one part of the massive development last week -- a block containing a parking garage, 40 condominiums and 8,285 square feet of retail space. But other portions of the massive housing and retail complex are mired in a fight over plans to demolish old buildings.

Preservationists want the city to save the Stalder Building on the corner of Market Street and Mission Inn Avenue -- a building the city designates as a "structure of merit," but not a historical landmark. The building dates to the early 1900s, but a façade added in 1926 came from architect G. Stanley Wilson, who also designed parts of the Mission Inn. One preservationist group said last week it might sue the city over the issue.

But stalling downtown redevelopment over the Stalder building is foolish and shortsighted. The Fox Plaza project takes the place of the Villagio development, which folded in 2004. Letting another downtown proposal die would only delay the city's economic revitalization, to the detriment of Riverside residents.

Besides, Riverside is hardly in danger of demolishing its heritage. The city is careful about preservation, but cannot save every old structure. Riverside still has many historic buildings, but does not have crowds in its downtown business district. The Fox Plaza and other projects can provide that missing ingredient.

Cities cannot stay frozen in time, no matter how much some people might wish it. Riverside's downtown will change, either through civic renewal or urban decay. The question is which outcome residents prefer. Riverside gains nothing if it succeeds in preserving an economic ghost town.

Sigh...... if only it were still so....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/socorox/1907-riv-randa-railway-002-600.jpg

I had no idea that even existed... damn the freeways!!!!!

First they take the red cars, and now i find they took this also...

Anyone else see the Crane today? I don't know if it was for the project mentioned in post #221 but from the Quad building at RCC it looked HUGE. Anyone at all?

Also, does anyone know what they are doing in the median on the 10 freeway immediately after you get off of the 215 going east? I drove by and got excited that it might finally be some form of rail extension, but I am probably wrong.

Yup vidgms, it's for the Regency Tower :)

http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/RegencyLg.jpg

...ooooooooooohhhh so pretty!

Sweet. I read it would be higher than the Detention building, that makes me happy.

Anyways.

I would like to see this thread more active and I guess I will take the initiative to do so. On that note, if someone can give me a list of bigger projects, or some low rise projects in the Riverside/Corona area, I will go take some pictures and upload them for all to see.

I just need to know where they are, what street or anything useful will help.

Ummm... there's a major project going down at UCR... The college is putting up a new engineering building that I believe will specialize in nano technology research.
I meant to take some pictures of the project, but I haven't gotten around to do it yet.

There is also a new apartment/condo complex off Magnolia near Tyler Mall that appears to have stalled for a long time. I mean the wood framing is complete but no facade. It's been that way for months.

Speaking of the mall, they are moving TGI Fridays next to Barnes & Noble.

Are you talking about the apartments behind the 99 cent store and next to the Lowes? I was wondering about those. I remember seeing them get the wood up but nothing else after that.

I wish I could be of more assistance in the lively-making of this thread, but alas, I live in New York now....

Your location lies.....

Unmentioned... don't tell me you got so fed up with the Fox Plaza project that you left Riverside in anger ;) .

You're right! It does lie indeed.

I'll get around to changing it eventually.


And very nearly, Chewsif... hahah. But I'm coming back for a couple of weeks on Monday annnd I can't wait to see that Regency Tower crane! WOO I looove cranes!

I drove by the site today. You can see the crane from the 91 freeway!!! It makes Riverside look so not bush league where you can see it.

Anyways,

The site is still a hole in the ground but from what I could see through the fence it looked as if the steel beams were set and popping above street level. I will try to get down into the parking garage and get some pictures on Monday.

Quick question, does anyone know if the building will be taller than the detention center?

Indeed it will be. If I remember correctly, Presley D.C. is right around 100' tall, and Regency Tower will be like 115' or 120' or something like that.

I very well may be making those numbers up, however, I specifically remember that it will be taller.



In other news, the old supermarket on Magnolia where mixed-used condominiums are going has been demolished.

(these ones)
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/1810/magsquare2sk8.png


has anyone seen the progress over there? maybe some photos, perhaps?

They're on the north side of Magnolia, a few blocks west of Tyler.


Annnd how about California Plaza? The project received final approval; and dirt moving yet?

And Raincross Promenade - how is the framing coming along?


GAH I can't wait to get back.

California Plaza? Never heard of it... do tell :)

Raincross Promenade looks about the same when I drove by it today. I think the more interesting project is the Fox Theater renovation right now. They are doing a lot of work on the outside that might be worth taking a look at, plus the back wall appears to be finished.

In sad news, it appears some moron decided to deface the UCR underpass mural at the entrance from University Ave. It might be scraped into the wall, I can't tell. I'm very mad about it though. I hate seeing any work of art defaced >(

I'm at the library right now and regarding the Regency Tower: There are a few steel beams already above street level. There are also convoys of trucks with steel beams rumbling all over downtown.

California Plaza is nothing spectacular... but noteworthy, nonetheless. It's a new mixed-used retail/condo plaza going in around Maxifoods at California and Monroe. It's mainly interesting because that's pretty dense for being in such a chiefly residential area and I'm pleasantly surprised it's even happening.

Oh okay, I have heard of the project before... do you have any concept pictures of it? :)

I can't find anything on Yahoo or Google, must be a pretty good secret.

There are renderings in the City Planning Commission agendas from a while back, however,

A) I'm too lazy to look through all of 2008's agendas to find it

B) They're in PDF form, and I'm retarded, ergo I can't figure out how to save the individual image and post it here.

It's actually quite ugly. haha.

Hopefully y'all can link to this: http://aquarius.riversideca.gov/plnimage7/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=33335&dbid=2

Wow that is kinda ugly. They should have added a couple of levels on to it to make it look better.

It's also in standard stripmall L-form, just with condos stuck on top.

HOWEVER hopefully this is a sapling of a coming trend. I'd like to see Riverside reach 500,000 by 2050, and densifying like that is just the trick. Also, annexing Woodcrest down to Cajalco wouldn't hurt...

I think in 20-30 years, Woodcrest will be much like Western Riverside is today, as in the triangle formed by Arlington, Van Buren, and Victoria - pretty solidly filled in with single-family housing and light commercial uses. The Mid County Parkway, which if I understand correctly is going to be a full-flegded freeway and will more or less follow the route of Cajalco/Ramona Expy. will definitely help that along.

I can imagine Wood Road (which will need a name change) and Mockingbird Canyon and possibly Washington/Harley John will become the major arteries linking the new freeway with Van Buren and the rest of the city.

In the meantime, I will hope that the area I mentioned before in the Arlington/Van Buren/Victoria triangle will continue to densify.

Magnolia Avenue will make a FANTASTIC light rail route one day, linking the dense Magnolia/Tyler area with Downtown and the future bullet train station....





hahaha, when did this turn into Riverside of the Future??

Kind of a cross between University Village and Chicago Square. Still, looks better than how it is now. I think the sections with the condos look pretty cool. The color scheme is questionable, but it might turn out alright. :)

http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/california_plaza_2.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/california_plaza_1.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/california_plaza_3.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/jhzone/ssc/california_plaza_4.jpg

GOOD WORK

Now that you know where to find Planning Commission agendas and reports, perhaps we can have renderings/elevations of projects when they break!

Does anyone know what is being built or, it looked like being mined, down Banbury?

Banbury is south of Tyler St. , just one or two streets, and this section of Banbury is away from the 91 freeway on the other side of Magnolia.

Anyways, it looked like it was something big and probably noteworthy.

If we're talking about the same project - where Banbury Ts with Magnolia, on the north side of the street, then it's the mixed-use project I posted a picture of earlier:

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/1810/magsquare2sk8.png

I didn't know they were excavating, though... the last time I drove past, it was just rubble from the empty grocery store that was demolished.

Oh ok, those apartments. I thought you were talking about the ones that were behind the 99 cent store in the shopping center there.

Yeah they are excavating, looks like they are digging for gold though.