HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2021 Study Session_Item 1_Aguilera, Branden_RedactedFrom:Branden Aguilera
To:Public Comments
Cc:Theodore Sanchez; Ben Reynoso
Subject:1/27/2021 -- Study Session - Agenda Item No.1
Date:Wednesday, January 27, 2021 3:20:26 PM
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Branden Aguilera
1st Ward Resident
San Bernardino Generation Now member
_________
Though I would like residents to fully see comprehensive proposals from both SCG
and Renaissance Downtowns/ICO, I along with so many other residents are deeply
concerned about levels of transparency and the Pay to Play probability at work for
this project.
It is known that SCG has formed a strong relationship with Mayor Valdivia, hosting his
travels in China, and it's likely that there's some degree of an incentivized agenda
around financial kickbacks for Him and for future political/economic gain from this
relationship.
Additionally, SCG's proposal itself is said to be sub par in terms of footprint
optimization with things like just having one large, oversized public space – as
opposed to Renaissance Downtown's more pedestrian-friendly and compacted
footprint plan. Their renderings show blocks that are very small and streets that are
relatively narrow allowing for stronger urbanism with intersections that are numerous
and frequent from having smaller buildings.
Renaissance Downtowns is known to take a "crowd-sourced place-making" approach
that they have been successful with elsewhere. Also, their joint venture with SoCal
based ICO, already owns a fair amount of real estate near the mall.
Our City Leaders must ensure that there is a thorough and comprehensive
Community Benefits Agreement that will be signed before a contract can officially
move forward. Overall, the community should be involved as much as possible for
this project for things like the naming of the development itself, ensuring arts and
culture, pedestrian-friendly transit, and that locals have the ability to get in on building
businesses there too.
The 48-acre property is too important just to go to the developer that only cares about
financial gain vs investing the care to create the highest-quality development possible
to help rebuild a city in dire straits.
Thank You.
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