HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-2022_Open Session_ General Comment_SB4SB Coalition Letter_ Ad Hoc Commitee Updates_any links sanitizedAugust 3, 2022
Kimberly Calvin
calvin_ki@sbcity.org,
Fred Shorett
shorett_fr@sbcity.org,
Theodore Sanchez
sanchez_th@sbcity.org,
City of San Bernardino Councilmembers
City of San Bernardino
290 North D Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
RE: Ad Hoc Committee Updates
Dear Ad Hoc Committee:
The redevelopment of the Carousel Mall site is a pivotal development for the revitalization of the
City of San Bernardino. Something Better for San Bernardino (SB4SB) writes to urge the City’s Ad
Hoc Committee members to deliver public updates on the current Development of Disposition
Agreement (DDA) between the City of San Bernardino and Renaissance Downtowns USA and ICO
Real Estate Group, also known as RDICO.
On May 16, 2021, the San Bernardino City Council Members and Mayor ProTem unanimously voted
to approve agenda item 29: “Update Regarding Negotiations with Renaissance Downtown USA/ICO
Real Estate Group (RDICO) for the Carousel Mall Property.” This agenda item resulted in the
creation of an Ad Hoc Committee, authorizing Councilmembers Calvin, Sanchez, and Shorett to
work with City staff regarding negotiations with RDICO and provide report backs during City
Council meetings.
Since the creation of this Ad Hoc Committee, the public, community, and advocate organizations
have received virtually no updates. The City of San Bernardino and developers have recently made
changes to the redevelopment of the Carousel Mall site by proposing to add a third developer,
Lincoln Property Co, a Dallas-based developer, which was publicly released on July 21, 2022, City
Council Meeting. The delay in sharing this information and process, which resulted in the addition of
a third developer, is concerning as there was no community input and the second Disposition of
Development Agreement (DDA) deadline is soon approaching in September 2022.
SB4SB commends the hard work of the Ad Hoc committee members to provide a transparent process
for the redevelopment of the Carousel Mall site. However, we urge the committee to engage the
community and stakeholders like SB4SB sooner rather than later to continue a transparent and
forthright process.
SB4SB wants to continue working in good faith with the City of San Bernardino and RDICO to
reach a strong and equitable Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) for the redevelopment of the
Carousel Mall 43-acre property. We strongly believe updates from the Ad Hoc committee are crucial
to continue this process. Something Better for San Bernardino would also like to request regular
monthly meetings with the Ad Hoc Committee members to continue having open communication
and update each other on the redevelopment of the Carousel Mall. SB4SB is requesting that the next
update from the Ad Hoc committee be provided by August 17, 2022. In addition, SB4SB is
requesting continued updates/status to be agendized at each pending City Council meeting moving
forward.
Sincerely,
Something Better for San Bernardino (SB4SB):
Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement
Inland Empire Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Inland Congregations United for Change
Sierra Club’s National Campaign, My Generation
Peoples Collective for Environmental Justice
Teamsters Local 1932
IE Building Trades Council
Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Warehouse Worker Resource Center
Just San Bernardino Collaborative