HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-03-21_Open Session_Item 7_Norman, Marven_RedactedFrom:Marven Norman
To:Public Comments
Subject:03/03/2021 – Open Session - Agenda Item No. 7
Date:Wednesday, March 3, 2021 4:00:22 PM
This comment is regarding Item #7 on the agenda for today, 3 March 2021. I am strongly in
favor of the Council selecting Option 2 to proceed with the Renaissance Downtown/ICO
proposal for the redevelopment of the Central City/"Carousel" Mall property. This proposal
would provide a welcome change to the city's downtown area and is much more forward-
thinking and wholistic than the proposal by the SCGA group.
Additionally, the recommendation from Staff to throw out both proposals and simply roll
redeveloping the mall into a downtown specific plan effort makes no sense. First, even though
they weren't even required to, the RD/ICO proposal ALREADY went the extra mile and looks
at the larger downtown area and their proposal expressly is designed to be an anchor and
catalyst of further development. This should not be and is not a hindrance to the development
of a broader downtown specific plan, but it IS a strong base to build such a plan off of.
Beyond that, the City simply can. not. afford. to. waste. any. more. time. The site has sat
largely vacant for more than a decade. It is beyond maddening to ask the residents of this city
to endure an even longer wait for something to get done. The RD/ICO proposal is an
exemplary vision of rebirth and revitalization of a community that has suffered for far too
long. Please do not waste this opportunity by kicking the can down the road. San Bernardino
needs and is ready for this project. Do the right thing to move the community forward into a
position of leadership and prosperity by selecting Option 2.
Thank you for your time.