Carousel Mall project tenuous
Mayor Pat Morris and others have worked very hard to sell the idea of a major linchpin of downtown housing at the site of the current Carousel Mall ...
But it's looking anything but imminent.
LNR Corp. purchased a big hunk of the moribund mall's property in February 2006, to great fanfare. Executives then helped to fan the media frenzy over what change in ownership could mean to the property, which has been a drag on downtown for years.
But it's clearer than ever that LNR is probably not going to initiate a major, revitalizing project with the property, much less erect the 750 New Urbanism-style homes Morris and others have hailed as a catalyst that could invigorate a series of smaller downtown projects well on their way to becoming reality.
Earlier this year, the harbinger of the current situation was there for all to see. A special council workshop was held with LNR officials to discuss and hopefully agree on a tentative plan for the site.
LNR sent a strikingly young - and short on answers and commitments - operative to the meeting. Councilman Neil Derry referred to the official and his two associates as the "B Team."
Needless to say, no consensus was reached.
This turn may be more about the sluggish real estate market than anything else. Regardless, it doesn't bode well for the site or for downtown.
Look for another corporation to move on LNR's land, and the other land at the site owned by other entities, including the city.
What happens then is no guarantee, but other sorts of developments - business, entertainment, etc. - may be more likely than the 750 dense urban dwellings most experts and leaders hope for ...
Why housing, you ask? A major part of it is a June visit by the Urban Land Institute, a nationally renowned planning think tank that studied the downtown. Panelists recommended a dense urban community at the site, and that recommendation - like almost all the others - was lauded by city leaders as the right course of action.
San Bernardino Mayor Morris’ continued collaboration with CSUSB in efforts to turn downtown into a vibrant, exciting colorful place to stroll after school or work in a pleasing environment while viewing a changing visual art scene and enjoying a myriad of tasty treats is the lynchpin securing the spectrum of benefits waiting to be seen around City Hall in every direction.
There can be no doubt that our city has continued downtown support of the performing arts in stalwart venues to the north of Carousel Mall extending beyond California Theater and Cinema Star multiplex to encompass the Bing Wong Auditorium at Feldheym Library and Sturgess Theater farther north.
There can be no doubt that our city has continued downtown support of the recreational benefits of professional sports to the south of Carousel Mall extending beyond the Arrowhead Credit Union Stadium where wholesome good times are had by all. And, to the landmark Brandin’ Iron for dancing and maybe, as many have done, finding the perfect spouse. And, to the National Orange Show where any number of events take place in the various locations on that campus and satellite wagering takes place toward the end before transitioning to a professional caliber bowling alley with other activities also available for individual or group participation.
There can be no doubt that our city has continued downtown support of the status as County Seat to the east of Carousel Mall by actively retaining our County Administrative Offices Complex, District Attorney’s Offices, Public Health Offices, Tax Collector Offices, and historic courthouse among other anchors there for everyone’s convenience.
There can be no doubt that looking westward from City Hall the only step necessary for the circle of good to remain unbroken is for Carousel Mall itself to become transformed into a land use most befitting the location: the ULI’s recommended high density urban community with enhancements. This will become San Bernardino’s conceptualization of City Walk, turning the corner toward the sunny side of the street for all to promenade across on their way to the good things awaiting exploration at every point on the compass. These are good things already in place and waiting for your visit now.
In our downtown’s high-rise office towers, the employees number in the thousands. The impacts on global warming, our air quality, the congestion of our freeways, their own qualities of life and financial rewards from living within walking distance to work and most every other daily interest make the surety of sales being brisk and retention maintained high great. In this day and time there is no reasonable expectation that this venture will be reminiscent of the failed condominium project across from Seccombe Lake for municipal employees back when gasoline and pollution were scarcely concerns.
The transformation of the old gymnasium across from city hall’s northern perimeter into a stimulating space for augmenting the galleries at Feldheym Library with venues for visual arts to be expanded and explored by all will only add yet another layer of complexity to the package we offer those investors with vision and progressive mindsets who would – who WILL – dare to be the first to transform the final frontier of the downtown quad into a place befitting the varied and vital neighbors facing and to either side of it.
The students at the sprawling sports university will be reticent to remain housed distant from campus when Mayor Morris and others’ realized visions for downtown San Bernardino are our realities.
Then the days will be long and full of time for mourning an opportunity let pass by the developers then coulda-shoulda-wouldaing their way along, after missing the chance of a lifetime by missing a chance to transform the sow’s ear of Carousel Mall into the silk purse it is destined to become.
Look at the lofts in L.A. Look at the Cannery Row area of Monterey. Look at the area surrounding San Francisco’s Presidio. All are shining examples of a city turning a white elephant into an enduring success. Soon, San Bernardino WILL list among them!
Begin acclimating yourself now to this new identity we are about to enjoy by venturing out to the many fine opportunities our downtown already has to offer us all. Start by checking out all the offerings at the library by visiting www.sbpl.org Visit the many different new places to have a meal. Walk it off exploring the eclectic shops lining downtowns streets. If you find that must-have item, large branches of major banks are but steps away!
The Arts Are Fine Is What’s On My Mind!
I think it fair to say the housing market sluggish right now. The city would be hard pressed to get anyone to get going on the housing element of this project right now.
The handbook info issued by developers per the Sun's
Friday gave the City one of the worst marks as a potential downtown develpoement site. The Mayor comments posted in the Sun must ahve been in the wee hours of the morning as he was not awake enough to blame this entirely on Mr. Penman. That was really surprising that given as much press as he got on that subject, a cheap shot or a low blow was not delivered on behalf of his protege for Mr. Penman's office.
At the last Council meeting, Penman asked for help that could expedite the process in the City for Planning, permits, and Developement Services. He was denied that request simply because the same 4 Council people dug their hooves in to deny a request that would have helped speed up a process in San Bernardino that clearly was in the City's best interest. the reason given was: "we have no money in the budget" the truth came out later that there was money to potentially hire 3 more Planning Dept positions. If these 3 positions are filled more backlog will further stifle the process.
If a Code Compliance vacancy can miraculously be created for the Mayor's candidate protege, why deny a real legitimate need to help the City? Could it be the Morris Camp is in the business of saying "NO" to all good suggestions for the City's good? Ask any builder about our infamous reputation in the Planning. permits, and Developement process.
When will our elected city officials finally see the light, and admit that downtown San Bernardino is a city that is dead at it's core? No one wants to live downtown, the "urban streams" project is a joke, crime is up, poverty is up, and our city officials all talk about "revitalizing" downtown. What a joke! The Orange Show used to be a point of civic pride. That's become nothing but a three day freak show. South E street has no stores worth stopping at, and you all know it. When I mention that I live in San Bernardino, people either do one of two things: They laugh, or they apologize. Why not tear down the Central City Mall, and build an urban forest? It wouldn't cost much, and at least it would give people somewhere to go - provided they felt safe. Safety is the number one problem with this city. If you don't feel safe, you're not going to risk going out. San Bernardino is no longer a safe place to live. The city motto used to be "City on the Move". Yes, city on the move, to move away.
What an exciting prospect! An urban forest in downtown San Bernardino! It isn't easily accomplished because convincing landholders in certain areas is more difficult than in others. Still, it's worth a try!
Until then, everyone is welcome to help plant 150 15 gallon trees at 3 city libraries, 4 city parks and 5 contiguous blocks of Mt. View median, from Marshall to Parkdale this Make-A-Difference Day, Saturday, October 27th. Registration is free at www.UnitedVoices.org and all registrants will receive a free tee shirt!
If you'd like to become part of the solution, join us!
I happen to live downtown. Yep, right downtown! Other than those going to and from the Court house, Welfare, Probation, Drug Courts, etc.. It's employees 9 to 5 and those changing buses.
Lots and lots of panhandlers that know how to disappear almost instantly into the shadows if and when a Police car happens to drive by.
There is some bragging going on by the Mayor and council woman Estrada about the 4th and G Street area and around Stater Bros Market being so much safer now that a couple of old liquor stores and a building or two are being torn down.. Now, that's a laugh.. Mayor says "Went ta a Seniors meeting of about 75 or so seniors and they were all telling me how much safer it is now... heheheh... forgot to mention that for the first time there is a Police car setting there during daylight hours just about every single day during the week.. Was never there before! And, when it moves on down the road.. THERE BAAAAACK!!! Yuppers! Listening to Estrada tell the stories of all the telephone calls she is getting about the bad people disappearing.. hehehe... yea..! Right! Mrs. Estrada.. I suggest you don't send your Great-Grandchildren over to play in the area. Just look in the City's Web Area and you'll see there are more than just one or two sexual preadator and violent parolees in the area .. let alone all the others that call the area their home grounds... what a joke...
You can start with 5Th and D Street (Jack-N-The-Box) The U.S. Post Office going west on any given morning through the rest of the day on into the night walking on over to just G Street ..down to 2nd back over to D Street going North to 5th and you can find lots and lots and lots of problems going on and lots of danger...
Please don't ever send your children to this area, NEVER! And, if you must ..be with them!
And, after 5: p.m. ..anyone that doesn't have to be in the area.. well.. hey.. they already know to leave.. and never come around on the weekend... this is San Bernardino, Ca...
Now, as far as turning the Mall area into anything except another park... don't! Homes within a few feet of a major freeway.. the pollution added to the City let alone the Pollution coming from the Freeway is a pure DEATH SENTENCE for anyone that would move into those would be living quarters.... This City is already deadly enough downtown and elsewhere without our FAMOUS REPUTATION for SMOG!!!!
Someone one.. hey! Someone please stop killing the children and our Mother Earth with some idea to lets build it bigger and better!!!!
The downtown core of this City of San Bernardion, California is DEAD! You can call the new Court house area and the City Hall area a CAMPAS area.. but that is not going to make any difference... DOWNTOWN is already
D E A D! And, no person living in this City today will see it come back during their lifetime, period!