Recently in Development Category
YUCAIPA - It took 12 years of gathering reports, planning, and procuring funding, and another 20 months of construction work to build the I-10 Freeway / Live Oak Canyon Interchange bridge. But on Thursday the $20 million bridge was officially declared open and marked with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.
"The concept of this improved interchange project began in 1995," said Yucaipa Mayor, Dick Riddell. "This project has been a long time coming and we are happy this day has finally arrived."
Construction on the project began September 2007. The project widened and realigned the I-10 Freeway with Live Oak Canyon Road. It also widened and lengthened the on and off ramps and added signals. From two lanes the bridge has been expanded to five lanes with turning lanes. Sidewalks and fencing were added, with landscaping planned for the near future.
The City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), and Caltrans worked closely together on the project that cost $20 million of which $9.7 million came from the Transportation Congestion Relief Program, and $10.3 million from the City of Yucaipa and Measure I. The city has an agreement with SANBAG to be reimbursed as Measure I funds become available in future years, Riddle said.
Third District Supervisor Neil Derry said that the bridge provides a welcome relief for Yucaipa residents.
"For those people that frequently travel here and who have had to exit and enter on this interchange through the years, I don't think I have to point out to them the congestion relief and safety enhancements this bridge has to offer."
Lou Amendola uses either the Yucaipa Boulevard Bridge or the Live Oak Canyon Bridge on and off ramps to leave or return to his Yucaipa home. He envisions commuters having a much easier time with two travel options now available.
"To get on the freeway at 7:30 in the morning is a nightmare," Amendola said. "This is awesome because it will even out the flow of traffic between the Live Oak Canyon and Yucaipa Boulevard bridges."
News Release:
YUCAIPA - The City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino Associated Governments, and Caltrans will hold a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony marking the completion of the Interstate 10 / Live Oak Canyon Road Interchange reconstruction project in Yucaipa on Thursday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m.
BANNING -Banning Chief of Police, Leonard Purvis, has his calendar marked for late December, early January because that's about the time when he and his police department will move into their new home - the new Banning Police Station.
The new station is currently under construction on Ramsey Street just one block east of San Gorgonio Avenue in the heart of downtown Banning.
When finished, the new station will dwarf the old station by about three times the size, and in a sense unite the department.
"The new station will have about 30,000 square feet," said Purvis. "We have some departments separated and spread apart. Now we will be all under one roof and we are really proud of that."
Because the new police station has plenty of room, it will also allow the department to grow as the city grows, he said.
"It will be nice," Purvis said. "We are all excited about it."
BANNING - The lots have been cleared, the foundations will soon be poured with concrete, and then the work begins in earnest to build two new homes for deserving Pass Area families.
The San Gorgonio Pass Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate builds homes for low income families who would otherwise have no opportunity for home ownership. There most recent projects include building two new homes in Banning.
Each home will be 1,400 square feet with four bedrooms and two baths, said Wendell Bainter, president of the Pass Area affiliate.
"We have two families already selected, one from Banning and one from Beaumont," Bainter said. "Each family has three children."
Although, the Pass Area affiliate has a volunteer base of about 35, skilled trades people - carpenters, electricians, plumbers, masons, and others are always needed.
"We are always looking for more volunteers," Bainter said. "We really need experienced trades people."
For more information on volunteering, call Wendell Bainter at (951) 922-3944.
The home sites are located at 1563 Nicolet Street, and 443 No. Hathaway Street. Both sites are located next to each other.
San Gorgonio Pass Area CA, HFH
PO Box 269
Banning, CA 92220
(951) 922-3944
Mayor Villaraigosa's plans would destroy ecologically rich desert, mountain areas
News Release:
OAK GLEN - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is still considering running transmission lines through California's ecologically rich regions nearly two years after 10 environmental groups petitioned him to use a less damaging existing utility corridor.
This was revealed at a Greenpath Power Project meeting on Friday, February 20 at the offices of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). The groups have requested that Mayor Villaraigosa use the "Smart Path," an existing utility corridor along Interstate 10.
LADWP originally contended this path would condemn 3500 houses. At Friday's meeting, LADWP's own study revealed it would impact only 16 houses, which environmentalists and community groups believe could be avoided.
"It is clear that any route that does not follow existing transmission corridors would be an economic choice by Mayor Villaraigosa that totally disregards the environment," states Joan Taylor, the Desert Energy Chair of the Sierra Club.
Thousands of concerned residents are taking action and urging the Board of Supervisors to deny the proposal for an 80-foot radio tower adjacent to the Wildwood Canyon State Park in Yucaipa.
News Release:
YUCAIPA, CA - As of January 21, 2009 over 1,000 area residents have registered their opposition to Lazer Broadcasting's proposal to construct an 80-foot radio broadcast tower and 500 gallon fuel tank adjacent to the Wildwood Canyon State Park.
In addition, several hundred letters from residents have been sent directly to the Board of Supervisors expressing criticism for the project that threatens natural vistas, trails, and local plants and wildlife.
The Citizens for the Preservation of Rural Living (CPRL) has filed an appeal of the Planning Commission decision to approve the project and will be heard by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday January 27 in the San Bernardino County Government Center Board Chambers located at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave. in San Bernardino.
YUCAIPA - Traffic narrowed to one lane on both the east and west bound lanes of Yucaipa Boulevard as the construction crew from Ted Burton Underground, Inc. were busy installing a storm drain as part of the Yucaipa Boulevard storm drain project. The project extends from Adams Street to Third Street and is expected to be completed in March.
Traffic slows to 25 mph in the construction zone and occasionally stops do to the movement of heavy equipment and for safety measures, so expect some delays if driving in the upper part of Yucaipa.
Five-year renovation has returned dilapidated church to prominence
YUCAIPA - The CiRullo's laugh easily now, but when they began the renovation of the "The Old Church," as it's known in Yucaipa, it wasn't quite so funny.
Bernard and Kris CiRullo, an artistic husband and wife team, bought the old church on Bryant Street near Yucaipa Boulevard in December 2003. Kris because she had a vision of what the old, run down church could once again become. And Bernard because he relished the challenge of restoring the church to prominence.
In October 2008, they finished their project. And it looks beautiful. But what a mess the CiRullo's had on their hands when they began the renovation.
"It was such an eyesore," said Kris CiRullo. "When we started, I thought it would be easier than it turned out to be."
CALIMESA - Saturday morning a road construction crew was working on the road that winds its way from Sandalwood Drive through the foothills south of Calimesa to Mesa View Middle School, which is expected to open in time for the 2009 - 2010 school year.
The school, which cost $34 million, has sat empty for over four years until the contentious issue of where an access road to the school would be built could be resolved. The school was built to accommodate 1,700 students.
News Release:
By Sherry Washburn
Administrative Assistant
YUCAIPA - City of Yucaipa Public Works Department Construction Update
Chicken Springs Wash Storm Drain and Street Improvements/Yucaipa Boulevard Storm Drain
These projects include the construction of curb and gutter, sidewalk, asphalt concrete pavement, storm drain improvements, earth channel grading, placement of grouted rip rap, concrete structures and catch basins, removal of existing storm drain culverts, construction of concrete flood walls/retaining walls, and reconstruction of existing surfaces between Adams Street and 3rd Street along Yucaipa Boulevard and at the 3rd and 4th Street culvert crossings. The project is underway and is scheduled to be completed by March 2009.
7th Street Park Rehabilitation - Phase II
The project consists of retrofitting a partially finished concrete pad as three covered basketball courts with lighting. In addition, the project will include a modular skate park and retrofitting several gazebos with additional landscaping around the "formal" main gazebo to enhance its use for special events. This project is underway and is now scheduled to be completed by January 2009.
Tight squeeze: Cabazon Water District makes use of every inch; Architects at work designing a new $1.4 million administrative headquarters
News Release:
Contact: Steve Moore Communications
(w): 760-832-8170
email: scoop@dc.rr.com
CABAZON - A new $1.4 million administrative headquarters being designed for the Cabazon Water District will increase staff efficiency, provide more comfort and amenities for the public and celebrate the community's rich agricultural, lumber and railroad history, says General Manager Calvin Louie.
Redevelopment bond money will pay for the project, said Andy Frost, principal development specialist, 5th District regional manager for Riverside County's Economic Development Agency.
For more than a half-century, the small town water district has operated out of an 800-square-foot, onetime fruit stand.
It's a tight squeeze.
YUCAIPA - Crafton Hills College (CHC) will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for its two main construction projects, December 5, 11 a.m., at the soccer field behind the CHC Gymnasium.
Planned for completion in 2009-2010 academic year are a new Learning Resource Center (LRC)/Library building and a Community Recreation Facility that will include a swimming pool. Grading and infrastructure work began for the projects this summer.
BEAUMONT - Construction workers were busy on Monday, Nov. 24, working on the Albert A. Chatigny, Sr. Community Center located at the northeast corner of Oak Valley Parkway and Cherry Avenue in Beaumont.
The Community Center is scheduled to open in Spring 2009. The 24,000 square foot building will offer multiple uses including a day care center, children's play area, gymnasium, amphitheater, and play court.
CALIMESA - If a major earthquake strikes Calimesa, the city's Fire Chief, Andrew Bennett, said that the city has a plan approved and in place to respond.
"Our Emergency Operations Plan has been reviewed and approved by the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services and the state office of emergency services," Bennett said. "It has also been approved by the Calimesa City Council."
Construction was busy on the Rite Aid Pharmacy, Monday, Nov. 10.
YUCAIPA - The Lake Development Rite Aid Pharmacy Center at the southwest corner of Oak Glen Road and Bryant Street has been under contstruction since about mid-June, said Superintendent,Mike McCasland, of Spears Construction, Inc.
McCasland said the project is proceeding on schedule and expected to be completed the first week of February 2009. "The project is going well so far," he said. "Everyone has been really cooperative. This is definitely a good corner (for a shopping center.)"
Along with the Rite Aid Pharmacy, the center will include a retail building with six tenant spaces and a drive through fast food restaurant, of which a tenant has not been determined yet.
Shoppers will be able to access the center from two entrances on Bryant Street and one on Oak Glen Road. The center will serve the north side of Yucaipa, which has experienced a steady growth of new housing units over the past several years.
A Stater Bros Market is located on the east side of Bryant Street directly across the road from the center.
YUCAIPA - Lazer Broadcasting Corporation will appear before the San Bernardino County Planning Commission tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. seeking approval to build an 80-foot tall communications tower in Wildwood Canyon State Park.
Community groups including the Friends of the Wildwood Canyon State Park and Yucaipa Equestrian Arena Committee have joined with the Citizens for Preservation of Rural Living (CPRL) to protest the project. Local volunteers have been circulating a petition and have over 1,000 signatures opposing the tower.
Support to stop the tower has also been generated at local car shows and horse competitions. And the CPRL websites www.stopthetowernow.org and www.myspace.com/stopthetowernow have also seen much activity and support.
The Planning Commission meeting will be in the Board Chambers of the San Bernardino County Government Center, located at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave. in San Bernardino.
Several representatives from Friends of the Wildwood Canyon State Park, Yucaipa Equestrian Arena Committee, and CPRL will speak against the project, but more concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.
Proposed building of radio tower a visual concern for supporters of Wildwood Canyon State Park
Photo By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - Elena Harshaw drives nearly 40 miles from her Corona home to hike in Wildwood Canyon State Park with her Yucaipa friends.
She loves the peace and quiet. She loves seeing horseback riders and hikers cantering and walking the parks many winding trails. The park is absolutely beautiful, she said.
But if a communications tower is built in the park, the park's natural beauty and the land on which the tower is proposed to be built would be tarnished, she said.
"We found out about six months ago that Lazer Broadcasting (Corporation), a major communications company wants to build a communications tower in the park," Harshaw said.
YUCAIPA - In its October 27 meeting, the City Council voted to increase development impact fees by $624 for each residential unit and a $2,500 increase per acre for commercial and industrial property.
According to the taped minutes of the meeting, Community Development Director, John McMains, said that the revised development impact fees will generate an accumulative $169-million over the remaining 25 to 30 year life of the development impact fees program.
A developer of commercial and industrial property will pay about $47,000 per acre because of the increased fees, which McMains said amounts to a little over $1 per square foot.
7th Street Park Rehabilitation - Phase II well under way
YUCAIPA - On Saturday, a painting crew was spray painting girders and beams on what will provide the support for a covered shell for three basketball courts with lighting at Seventh Street Park.
The Seventh Street Park Rehabilitation project in addition to the basketball courts also includes a modular skate park and retrofitting several gazebos with additional landscaping around the "formal" main gazebo to enhance its use for special events. According to an October construction update from the Public Works Department, the project is underway and is now scheduled to be completed by January 2009.
When the building is finished it will have150-feet of open glass front and patio area, along with a water works design similar to that found in front of Yucaipa City Hall, said Brian Conroy, who owns the retail / shopping center located at the corner of Fifth Street and Yucaipa Boulevard.
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