98 Apartments Coming to Bloomington's Affordable Housing
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
7/29/2019 98 apartments coming to Bloomington’s affordable housing community – San Bernardino Sun NEWS 98 apartments coming to Bloomington’s affordable housing community By SANDRA EMERSON || [email protected] || PUBLISHED: July 28, 2019 at 10:30 am || UPDATED:UPDATED: July 28, 2019 at 10:31 am More affordable housing will be coming to Bloomington. The county is moving forward on the next phase of its mixed-use affordable housing community on Valley Boulevard — 98 apartments and a 7,700-square-foot community center. Plans also call for the relocation of underutilized Ayala Park. “It is one of a kind,” said Supervisor Jose Gonzales, whose 5th District includes Bloomington. The $48-million-phase is planned west of thethe project’sproject’s firstfirst twotwo phasesphases thatthat opened in 2016:: BloomingtonBloomington Grove,Grove, withwith 8484 apartments,apartments, andand LillianLillian Court,Court, withwith 106 units, including 70 for seniors. There’s also the 6,500-square-foot Bloomington Public Library. Once complete, there will be 288 units for low-income families, seniors, formerly homeless and residents with special needs, like mental health or physical conditions. By anchoring the housing to public facilities — the library, park and community center — the development will offer residents a city-like atmosphere, officials say, not typically found in unincorporated communities. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/07/28/98-apartments-coming-to-bloomingtons-affordable-housing-community/ 1/7 7/29/2019 98 apartments coming to Bloomington’s affordable housing community – San Bernardino Sun ADVERTISING Affordable housing, new community center The 98 apartments in the new phase will include 10 apartments for Department of Behavioral Health clients and 10 for Inland Empire Health Plan members. There will also be a community services building for residents only. About eight units will be built above the community center, facing the relocated Ayala Park to the north, said Randy Mai, project manager for Related California, which is developing the project with LaBarge Industries, Inc. and Housing Partners I, Inc., San Bernardino County Housing Authority’s nonprofit affiliate. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/07/28/98-apartments-coming-to-bloomingtons-affordable-housing-community/ 2/7 7/29/2019 98 apartments coming to Bloomington’s affordable housing community – San Bernardino Sun https://www.sbsun.com/2019/07/28/98-apartments-coming-to-bloomingtons-affordable-housing-community/ 3/7 7/29/2019 98 apartments coming to Bloomington’s affordable housing community – San Bernardino Sun The county “wanted eyes on the park, so that’s why they wanted something that provides a combination of housing and community space,” Mai said. Since opening in 2016, Bloomington Grove & Lillian Court havehave hadhad veryvery littlelittle turnoverturnover ofof residents,residents, MaiMai said.said. ThereThere isis currentlycurrently aa waitingwaiting listlist ofof aboutabout 1,0001,000 applicants. “It’s been very successful in terms of housing families around the area and the tenantstenants havehave beenbeen amazing,”amazing,” hehe said.said. Improved Ayala Park Ayala Park, at 18313 Valley Blvd., is directly north of the 10 Freeway nestled between vacant land and mobile home parks. Relocating the park into the new development, and adding amenities, will allow itsits useuse byby thethe residents,residents, nearbynearby schoolsschools andand surroundingsurrounding singlesingle familyfamily neighborhoods. The state Department of Parks and Recreation has approved the new site and proposed park development. The county has a few more steps to take to gain approval to sell the old park land. “It’s a huge undertaking,” Gonzales said. “In this case, it is the most ideal move thatthat wewe cancan make.make. WhenWhen youyou havehave aa parkpark thatthat isis backedbacked upup toto aa freewayfreeway andand hashas limitedlimited accessibilityaccessibility toto it,it, youyou dodo notnot havehave thethe makingsmakings ofof whatwhat ultimatelyultimately isis anan open green space that is welcoming and inclusive of the residents.” County officials even got input from Joe Baca Middle School students on what featuresfeatures they’dthey’d likelike toto seesee inin aa newnew publicpublic park.park. Some of those features include a basketball court, dog park, picnic areas, water play areas and open green space. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/07/28/98-apartments-coming-to-bloomingtons-affordable-housing-community/ 4/7 7/29/2019 98 apartments coming to Bloomington’s affordable housing community – San Bernardino Sun Funding and construction The $48 million cost estimate comes from a variety of sources. The county is contributing nearly $20 million. Included in that, is $2.1 million for thethe communitycommunity centercenter andand $1.5$1.5 millionmillion fromfrom IEHPIEHP toto buildbuild 1010 unitsunits forfor itsits members. The remaining $28 million is coming from the developer. However, the county has applied for nearly $25 million in competitive low income housing tax credits. If the county is awarded the tax credits, and if the park financing gains supervisor approval by the end of the year, construction could start in March with an anticipated opening date in 2021. County’s vision The county’s multi-year investment into Bloomington is an example of putting its vision of revitalized unincorporated communities into action, said Dena Fuentes, deputy executive officer of the Community Development and Housing Agency. In addition to addressing affordable housing and public space needs of Bloomington-area residents, county officials hope the water and sewer infrastructureinfrastructure improvementsimprovements mademade inin thethe areaarea leadlead toto furtherfurther economiceconomic development. “When you think about what the county is trying to do in its vision for the county and its residents, this truly is taking those words and applying it in a visual and social economic context,” Fuentes said. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/07/28/98-apartments-coming-to-bloomingtons-affordable-housing-community/ 5/7 7/29/2019 Grand Jury: County parks neglected | News | championnewspapers.com http://www.championnewspapers.com/news/article_d582b77c-afce-11e9-9703-438f03ab05d5.html FEATURED Prado Park one of nine in need of repairs Grand Jury: County parks neglected By Marianne Napoles Jul 27, 2019 A dingy-looking splash pad at Prado Park needs paint, the ooring needs replacement, and one of the waterspouts is inoperable, according to a report issued by the San Bernardino County civil grand jury. Champion photo by Brenda Dunkle The San Bernardino County civil grand jury has determined that seriously dangerous conditions exist at county parks because they have not been properly maintained for many years. The report states that the San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department has failed in its leadership and has exhibited a lack of concern for residents due to its policy of deferred maintenance, where repairs are postponed in order to save money and to meet budget funding levels. The report acknowledged that it has only been in the past year that any meaningful attempt has been made to correct the issues. www.championnewspapers.com/news/article_d582b77c-afce-11e9-9703-438f03ab05d5.html 1/4 7/29/2019 Grand Jury: County parks neglected | News | championnewspapers.com County spokesman David Wert said the county realizes the parks need a lot of attention and funding is the root of the problem. He said the Regional Parks Department was required by the county administrative oce during the 2008 recession to become self-sucient and that mandate is still in place. The Department was mandated to survive on the revenue generated by the parks rather than compete with law and justice and social services for limited general fund revenues, Mr. Wert said. “Despite the mandate, Regional Parks has yet to become completely self-sucient,” Mr. Wert said. Prado Park Prado Park, located o Euclid Avenue in south Chino, was called out for a stang problem because the park is operating at 50 percent of its sta allocation, according to the grand jury report, even though the park is the largest with the most activities of the nine county parks. The report calls for a replacement of the playground and splash park ooring because they are worn out, torn, and a safety hazard. Bathrooms need attention because the shower lighting xtures are infested with dead insects, lights in the shower stalls are not working, and water faucets are broken. Trash containers are needed in the women’s toilet stalls and irrigation systems need repair. Drinking fountains are also in need of repair and the restrooms should be refurbished. www.championnewspapers.com/news/article_d582b77c-afce-11e9-9703-438f03ab05d5.html 2/4 7/29/2019 Grand Jury: County parks neglected | News | championnewspapers.com The concession and pedal boat stands should be re-opened. Mr. Wert said Regional Parks plans to seek funding from the county for repairs to the playground and splash park areas during the next quarterly budget cycle in September or October. He said the county hired Regional Parks Director Beahta Davis in 2017 who has a great deal of experience operating parks. “Under her leadership, the conditions at the parks are improving and the management of the department is improving as well,” Mr. Wert said. In decline The Regional Parks investigation was launched after the grand jury, a citizens panel tasked with examining all aspects of county and city governments, received complaints about the pool closure at Guasti Regional Park in Ontario and the prolonged delay in completing the dredging and dam operations at Lake Gregory in Crestline. The grand jury reported that the Regional Parks Department maintenance sta was reduced by 33 percent from 2010 to 2018 and no revisions or updates have been made to job descriptions since 2009. Most concession stands are closed, and many have fallen into an extreme state of disrepair. “Based upon the rise in vandalism and the potential hazards to park visitors, the current security program is inadequate,” according to the report. Sta has been reduced from 275 in 2010 to 194 in 2018.