HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-2022_Open Session_ Item 3_Boyd, Kenesha_RedactedFrom:Genoveva Rocha
To:Public Comments
Subject:FW: Public Comment for 8/3/22, Item #3
Date:Wednesday, August 3, 2022 3:23:10 PM
From: Kenesha Boyd
Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 2:30 PM
To: Council <Council@sbcity.org>
Subject: Public Comment for 8/3/22, Item #3
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Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
My name is Kenesha Boyd and I am a long-time resident of San Bernardino. I am writing in
regards to item #3, Third Amendment to Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) – Carousel
Mall (Ward 1), on tonight's agenda.
As a resident, I am extremely disappointed in the developer chosen for the development of
the Carousel Mall site. Since the beginning of the RFP process, it was clear Renaissance
Downtown USA or ICO Realty (RDICO) did not have the capacity or a clear plan as to what to
do with the site. Their presentations to council and the community throughout the entire
process have been sub par and questionable.
I disagree with extending the ENA another year. There has been and continues to be so many
red flags with the original developer. The City Manager, Rob Field, is adamant that Lincoln
Property Company (LPC) has the capacity for the project, yet urged council to approve the
extension to a company without a clear presentation to all council members or the
community. Please request a concreate phased out plan. By now, we should know what
exactly what is going to be built, phase by phase, with a timeline. How many residential units,
what type of units (apartments, townhomes, condos, etc.), square footage of units, elevations,
amenities, retail space, and commercial space? What are the proposed tenants for the
commercial & retail spaces? What major anchors are they able to secure? What major
anchors have they secured in past projects to demonstrate their ability to do it with this
project? What amenities will the site offer to residents and visitors to the city? A riverwalk
should not be the sole amenity for this project.
If Lincoln Property Company has the capacity our City Manager indicates, there should not be
a need to extend the ENA till September 2023. Again, RDICO has failed to provide a clear plan
to the development of the site, why should the residents possibly wait another year or more
for development of the site? If this 3rd extension is approved, the developer has the option to
request 2 more extensions up to 180 days each. That means the ENA could possibly be
extended into late summer of 2024.
I am also concerned that if LPC has the capacity, why are they only putting $50,000 down for a
development of this size. Do they not intend to develop? Do they plan to sit on the property
until values improve? With a project this size, I would think that an amount more than
$150,000 total would have been required to prevent the developer from sitting on the
property or backing out. When we learn from our mistakes and make sure we are getting
developers that intend to develop. Is $100,000-$150,000 customary for entering into an ENA?
If so, will a larger amount be required for the DDA?
Surrounding cities in the Inland Empire are in the process of undertaking similar projects and
will be breaking ground within a year. Redlands recently entered into an agreement with a
developer that provided clear details of their project, plans have been approved and they will
be breaking ground in 2023. Moreno Valley is also redeveloping their mall and breaking
ground in 2023. Why do we continue to be so far behind other cities?
Supply chain issues continue to plague our nation and rising inflation is a serious concern,
extending the ENA for another year is not in the best interest for our city. I think an extension
of 90-120 days is sufficient. If Lincoln Property has the capacity to build, there is no reason the
ENA should be extended for another 12 months.
I ask today that you actively listen to all details provided by city staff, Lincoln Property, and RDICO/SBDC. I implore
you to make your decision based on what is best for greater good of the residents of San Bernardino. Residents
deserve a downtown that is thriving, livable, safe, and sustainable for future generations to come without having to
wait 20+ years to get it.
Thank you for your time,
Kenesha Boyd