By Council Member Jon Harrison

In March of 2010,Redlands became one of only 10 cities chose by Southern California Edison to participate in the California Green Communities Challenge. The program enables us to highlight progress in 10 “challenge areas”, including energy efficiency and conservation, green building efficient transportation and land user and community design that contribute to keeping our quality of life high and save money for the city, its residents and its businesses.

 The City Council and staff rose to the challenge, developing materials for the California Green communities’ website, creating a checklist of existing sustainability measures and projects and an action plan to designate future sustainability projects to meet different levels of participation in the program. These are all local actions that create more efficient operations for the City and reduce ongoing costs through energy efficiency, waste-stream diversion, water conservation and sustainable environmental practices.

The action plan submitted to the California Green Communities in April 2011 includes programs currently in operation such as the City’s Recycled Product Preference policy, passed by the Council six years ago to increase the use of recycled products; marketing of the City’s LNG/CNG fueling station, which increases sales of alternative fuels from the City to private vehicle owners as well as commercial alternative fuel fleets; and installation of a photovoltaic system at the City’s wastewater treatment plant, saving the City $16,000, and 200,000 kilowatt hours every year.

Other aspects of the plan will be implemented over the next several years such as conversion to highly efficient and long lasting LED street lights; retrofitting City equipment and facilities to take advantage of newer, more sustainable and cost effective technologies and building materials; and improving the City’s non-motorized transportation, making it easier for local residents and visitors to walk or bicycle to destinations throughout the City. Cost/benefit analysis of programs like theLED streetlights show the savings on operating costs cover the capital investment in only a few years and continue to yield savings to the city.

With the Redlands Rail Project coming ever closer to reality the City is reviewing land use and community design around the stations, including downtown, to promote residential and commercial development in these areas and take advantage of investments in roads, water, sewer and other infrastructure that already serve the community.

A report on the status ofRedlands’ involvement in the California Green Communities Challenge, including a comprehensive discussion of each of our initiatives, will be coming before the City Council during an upcoming meeting. That report will be available at City Hall and online.

I encourage each of our residents and all our local businesses to get involved in promoting a more sustainable future for our City. Feel free to contact me or Danielle Garcia in the City’s Quality of Life Department at dgarcia@cityof redlands.org.

     The Redlands Chamber of Commerce Government Review Committee has proposed an amendment to the Sign Code that will allow business outside the downtown business arena the opportunity to use portable of A-frame signs. The current code does not allow businesses to use A-frame structures if located outside the geographic confines of the Downtown Business District. Because the business district was recently dissolved the committee that had been working on the revisions decided it was the perfect time to submit changes, as the language in the code required modification because of the disbanding.

        The need for expanding the use of portable signs came to the attention of the Chamber when a number of businesses indicated that during these extremely difficult economic times businesses are reinventing, recreating new and innovative ways to find new customers and clients and many are looking for unique and distinctive advertising opportunities. While A-frames have been banned in commercial areas outside of downtown many businesses have opted for using them attempting lure customers in, but have found themselves on the wrong side of the law and have been cited by code enforcement and forced to remove the violating sign.

        In an effort to be fair and equitable to all businesses located in commercial zones and in specific plan areas, the Chamber is proposing that portable signs be allowed with size restrictions, and noted location limits. The proposal has been sent to Council liaison for review. Watch for details as the recommendation moves forward through channels at City Hall.

 A STORAGE PLACE–BARTON ROAD

Kierstin Wasko

26419 Barton Road

Redlands,CA 92373

Phone:  796-4447        Fax:  796-6547

Web Site:  www.aspselfstorage.com

 BRISKETS

Dave Kaney

256 E. Citrus Avenue

Redlands,CA 92373

Phone:  335-2649

 FARMERS INSURANCE – A. T. EICHER AGENCY

Andrew Eicher

1450 Iowa Avenue

Riverside,CA 92507

Phone: 817-291-0557  Fax:  951-684-5238

 RENAISSANCE BANQUET HALL

Maricela Silva

19 E. Citrus

Redlands,CA 92373

Phone:  798-3462

Web Site:  www.therenaissancebanquet.com

 SYLVANLEARNINGCENTER#556

Paul Lay

413 E. Palm

Redlands,CA 92373

Phone:  792-9669        Fax:  792-8510

Web Site:  www.educate.com/centers/92373

 WESTCOAST DERMATOLOGY BILLERS, LLC

Risa Kanavas

319 E. Stuart Street

Redlands,CA 92374

Phone:  335-8638        Fax:  335-8644

Web Site:  www.dermatologybilling.com

By Mayor Pete Aguilar

     One of the top priorities for the Council and City staff has been economic development.  A number of initiatives are already in the works or in place and some are already bringing results. New businesses have opened their doors and some existing businesses are preparing for expansion.

          But with the positive news in economic development, there is one elephant in the room, or in this case, in the City’s downtown – the Redlands Mall. With the notable exception of CVS and a few outlying buildings, the mall has stood empty for more than a year, seemingly a prime location for economic growth.

          One of the most frequent questions my Council colleagues and I receive is, why hasn’t the City done something about the Redlands Mall? The following Q&A might help explain some of the complex issues the City wrestles with in dealing with this issue.

Does the City own the Redlands Mall?

No. The mall is owned by Howard Hughes Corporation, a real estate development company based inDallas,Texas.

 Does the City own the parking lot?

Yes.  The city owns the parking lot surrounding the mall, the underground parking, and the parking lot to the southeast of the mall.

 What businesses are located at the mall?

CVS is located at the east end of the mall and a Denny’s, Banner Mattress, and Union Bank are in a building on the northeast corner of the mall. The rest of the mall is vacant.

 What are Howard Hughes Corporation’s plans for the mall?

There are no plans to sell or develop the mall according to company officials. Howard Hughes has not submitted any proposals to the City or provided the City a proposed timeline.

 Is the Howard Hughes Corporation willing to entertain opportunities for additional tenants at the mall?

The City has provided potential tenant opportunities to Howard Hughes, but no development ensued.

 Can the City or a private company purchase the mall?

There have been numerous offers to purchase the mall, but Howard Hughes Corporation insists that the Mall is not for sale.

 Can the City condemn the mall?

Under the laws governing eminent domain, the City could only condemn the property for a public use.   

 What are the City’s long term plans regarding the mall?

The City has engaged a real estate advisory firm to initiate development strategies to develop the City’s interest in the mall.

          Rest assured that the City Council and City staff will continue to explore every avenue available to us to move the Redlands Mall property toward productive use.  In the meantime, staff has been diligent in requiring the mall’s owners to maintain the property, requiring attractive screens at the shuttered entrances, keeping the property free of debris and graffiti and maintaining the landscape.

          If you have additional questions or need further information, please feel free to contact Michael Lengyel, Economic Development Director, with the City of Redlands Development Services Department at (909) 335-4755 or mlengyel@cityofredlands.org.

          Savory, succulent, mouth watering, taste treats fromRedlandsvery finest restaurants must mean that the Redlands Chamber of Commerce Cruisin’ Cuisine is back!

          Friday, May 18, ten restaurants will offer gastronomic experiences to guests as they stroll from one establishment to another in downtown Redlands sampling specialties, delighting in sophisticated tastes and nibbling signature dishes. Attendees will check in at the Chamber office at 4:30, trade their ticket for a wristband and passport and off they go to sample, nibble, test and try to their hearts content.

          Each restaurant will have a host sign their passport that will then make them eligible for a drawing at the end of the evening. For restaurants not located in downtownRedlandshost businesses will partner with them allowing use of facility providing both with great exposure.

          “There is no place better in the Inland Empire to spend an evening out thanRedlands. It plays to our Shop Redlands program and showcases our wonderful restaurants.” said Paul Barich, Chamber President. “This was a sold out event last year and a whole lot of fun. At the end of the evening guests were asking when we were going to schedule the next one. So here it is!”

          Tickets for the event are $35 per person and are limited. To purchase your tickets or for more information about Redlands Chamber Cruisin’ Cuisine call 793-2546.