Communities across the nation are gearing up for the upcoming fifth round of the Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) process. The process, authorized by Congress and commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense, is an evaluation of current military installations in order to “reorganize its (DOD) installation infrastructure to more efficiently and effectively support its…
After at least 10 years of talks and 5 years of false starts, one of the region’s oldest shopping centers is finally nearing completion in its transformation from an enclosed mall back into an open-air shopping plaza. Early makeover plans for the Plaza were floated more than 10 years ago, but delays plagued the $80…
With $1.2 billion in expansion planned for the U.S., worldwide cargo-giant DHL has announced intentions to locate its California hub at one of three Inland Southern California airfields, each of which are aggressively vying to land the proposed air cargo hub. Each of the three airfields (Ontario Int’l, San Bernardino Int’l and March GlobalPort) have…
Opened in 1997, California Speedway in Fontana transformed a portion of the former Kaiser Steel Mill into a world-class racing facility. However, has the transformation spilled over into the neighboring areas, most of which are blighted industrial sites? A recent article in the Seattle Times takes a look at the successful impact — or lack…
From a recent edition of the Los Angeles Times: The bronze plaque tells the tale: “The most valuable fruit introduction yet made by the United States Department of Agriculture.” And there, at Magnolia and Arlington avenues in Riverside, stands the last of California’s original Washington navel orange trees, enclosed by an iron fence, looming over…
Another layer of separation has descended upon Inland Southern California. Today, the era of 951 begins. The 909 shrinks today as Riverside and San Bernardino counties begin a slow separation that will give each its own numeric identity (with western Riverside County becoming 951). … San Bernardino County residents and businesses will keep their familiar…
Riverside County’s landmark Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan received federal and state approval this week. The plan, one part of the comprehensive Riverside County Integrated Project — AKA, “The Blueprint for Tomorrow” — sets in motion the county’s ability to better plan and manage expected growth while preserving much needed species habitat and open space: The…
The old debate — new vs. old, dynamic vs. stagnant, growth vs. preservation, etc., etc. Such is always a tricky and dicey situation for any town or city. And, of course, everything is indeed subjective and relative. In other words, what exactly makes a structure “old,” “historic,” and/or “culturally significant”? In Riverside’s case, the city…
An excellent article regarding the recent residential building boom taking shape in downtown San Diego (a not too distant topic here on this very site) appeared recently on the San Francisco Weekly Website. Writer Matt Smith surmises that San Diego and residents themselves are finally beginning to realize both the need and desirability of some…
Just 90 miles to the south of Riverside is San Diego. Like much of Southern California, San Diego has found itself battling suburban sprawl for much of the past few decades. However, unlike its big brother to the north (Los Angeles), San Diego still remains an actual town with a highly recognizable central core —…
