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Home My WebLink AboutLetters In Support / c , .. MT. VERNON CORRIDOR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA City of San Bernardino. California LETTERS IN SUPPORT June 11. 1990 CCITY OF SA~E~NARDINO 0 -~EMORANDUM /f:a--;e. From Lt. R. Curtis To Captain L. Richards Subject Mt. Vernon Co=idor Date 27-Apr-90 Approved Date The Mt. Vernon co=idor has experienced progressively increasing decline during the past decade. The decline of the area is due to several corre- lated historial, econanic, social and crime related causes. The Mt. Vernon co=idor is canprised of a primarily residential district bisected by a main cannercial artery with buildings dating back to pre- World War II. Mt. Vernon has been sporatically redeveloped and contains a mixture of new ccmnercial structures sandwiched between older and often vacant structures. The older cannercial structures historically have attracted small bars, liquor stores and maJ:;kets which co-exist with rootels and small apartment canplexes. The general blighted condition of Mt. Vernon attracts both prostitution and drug dealing to the area. The Mt. Vernon co=idor has also been plagued with a growing reputation in Southern California as a prime "cruising" location for teenagers. This reputation has persisted dispite intensive enforcement by the Police Depart- ment. Cruising increases the potential for assaults and serves as a cover for other illegal activities including drug sales. A recent developnent in the 500-900 block North Mt. Vernon has been the resurgence of long donnant Hispanic youth gangs that claim ownership to the entire area. These gangs are becaning increasing violent and are be- caning involved in drug dealing to support their purchases of firearms and expensive cars, clothes and jewelry. The "hane grown" gangs have been terrorizing both residents and merchants and are responsible for many of the street crimes such as robberies, assaults, vandalism and the illegal shooting of fireanns. The canbined eefect of these causes is the creation of an atroosphere where new businesses are reluctant to establish in the area, existing businesses are being closed, and citizens and merchants are fearful for their safety. PRIDE -1 9ESS - ( "",......, C Cit; of San Bernardi~o"",( INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM 9006-4001 FROM: Robert Temple, Executive Director Redevelopment Agency Larry Reed, Director of Planning ~ ~.M . Mt. Vernon Corridor Redevelopment pfan TO: SUBJECT : DATE: June 7, 1990 COPIES: ------------------------------------------------------------- As Director of Planning and Building Services, I would like to commend the Redevelopment Agency on its efforts to establish a redevelopment project area on the west side of the city. I strongly endorse the Mt. Vernon Corridor Redevelopment Plan and feel that it will greatly assist my department's current and long-range planning programs, as well as, our code enforcement and blight eradication efforts. As you know, the Planning Commission has found the redevelopment plan to be conforming with the city's new General Plan. Also, my staff has worked closely with the Agency since the inception of the plan. I have followed the plan's progress and feel confident that it will help improve the quality of life within the project area. LR:VB/sd (' 1""", "'~', /'.._. CCitY~f San Bernard~ -....,I Department of Planning & Building Services Code Enforcement Division INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM 9006-4201 TO: Susan M. Morales Project Manager/Redevelopment Agency FROM: Alex Valenzuela Code Compliance Officer SUBJECT: MT. VERBON CORRIDOR DATE: June 7, 1990 Larry E. Reed, Director of Planning & Building Services; Vince Bautisa, Principal Planner; Debra Daniel, Acting Code Compliance Supervisor; File COPIES: ------------------------------------------------------------- For many years Mt. Vernon has been in a state of physical deterioration of structures and infrastructure. As a result of these adverse conditions the Mt. Vernon Corridor has experienced negative economic activity and a serious social, physical, and economic burden on the community. Under such adverse conditions many people believed that change was not possible, therefore, the future of Mt. Vernon is questionable. City government has undertaken the task to revitalize and improve the social and economic environment by creating a place of employment opportunities and a place where families can live, shop and be encouraged to invest. However, only through combined efforts of citizen and govern- ment, can a change such as this take place. Generally the area is aesthetically deficient and strewn with hazardous buildings that are boarded-up and unusable. In this report, I will discuss what impact the Department of Planning and Building Services has contributed to the Mt. Vernon Corridor Project. Included in this report are all actions precedent, current and/or subsequent to achieving compliance with applicable State, Federal and Local laws. GENERAL CODE ACTION: Basically, our Code Enforcement Section is responsible for enforcement of all codes. Generally the officer who reviews a complaint has available many different alternatives to achieving compliance. Recently, the officers have been advised "Notices to Appear" (called citation), are preferred where violations exist. It has been our experience that citations have a greater impact on the citizen, and typically the judge will place the citizen on one (1) year probation. Most citations are for minor offenses, generally violations of municipal code. c/ r"' INTEROFFICE MEMO~DUM~ 9006-4201 MT. VERNON CORRIDOR June 7, 1990 Page 2 ~-... ,.....-..... '........" SPECIAL MOBILEHOME PROJECT For a number of years 2057 N. Mt. Vernon has been a have for drug pushing, prostitution, murders and assault & batteries. As recently as June 1, 1989, the Police were receiving 100 to 120 calls annually, not counting the calls that were undocu- mented. As a result of this criminal activity the Police notified Code Enforcement Section, 44 substandard mobilehomes were removed from the park and demolished. The park was cleaned and rid of all trash, debris and junk. Police service calls have drastically reduced. BUSINESS CLOSURE In investigating the businesses on Mt. Vernon, we became aware that many businesses did not have property Business Licenses and/or Certificate of Occupancy, which are required prior to opening. DEMOLITIONS Working in accordance with S.B. 547, (Earthquake Standards) and the Municipal Code, All Unrein forced Masonry Structures (URM), vacant for 180 days or more are considered a Public Nuisance. Because of the number of vacant buildings contributing to blight on Mt. Vernon, The Code Enforcement Section was instructed to create a pilot program as required by state and Federal law. As a result of the creation of a program, the Code Enforcement Section targeted the Mt. Vernon Corridor. As of this date the fOllowing work has been completed, or in the process of retrofit or demolition. Demolition Permits issued six (6) Retrofits Completed One (1) Retrofits In-Plan Check One (1) *Demolitions Completed Fourteen (14) Notified Five (5) *Owner Demolitions Thirteen (13) *City Action Demolitions One (1) r \ "" INTEROFFICE MEMO~UM:~9006-4201 MT. VERNON CORRIDOR June 7, 1990 Page 3 ,..., ,.' ''''\ --t ',. .... In Conclusion, the Code Enforcement Section is continuing its efforts towards revitalization. Citations will continue to be issued to persons not complying with the codes: boarded up, vacant, URM buildings will be addressed to either retro- fit or demolish their structure. It is our desire to revitalize and upgrade the Project Area, and promote an aesthetic, social and economic stability. Code Enforcement will strive to ensure that land-use and structures are conducive to the General Plan and assist any other government agency, business group or citizen who wishes to continue our anticipated efforts of the Mt. Vernon Corridor Project. ~ t./J-'-f~.4- 'Alex alenzuela Code Compliance Officer . () Approved.b~~t-.,~ (~n~ Debra L. Daniel Acting Code Compliance Supervisor AV/eg - - c c "'"' ~J ~., ,........, .....,"j '.....,I INLAND COUNTIES HISPANIC ROUND TABLE P.o. Box 7564, San Bernardino, CA 92411 June 11, 1990 Honorable Mayor Bob Holcomb Council Members City Hall, 300 North D street San Bernardino, California 92401 Dear Mayor and Council: The Inland Counties Hispanic Roundtable Organization supports the Mt. Vernon Business Corridor Project. We are pleased that the city has taken an interest in improving conditions in blighted areas. Those of us that have a particular interest in the west side welcome this long overdue project. . It is our feeling that many will benefit from this endeavor. It is our hope that redevelopment of the Mt. Vernon Business Corridor will attract new businesses, that new housing will be made available and that new jobs will be created. sincerely, ~~ Esther Mata President nu-~til. o 1001 o 1001 D c /"'....... 1...../ ,..- .." . * COMMERCIAL . RESIDENTIAL BLO~ * CONCRETE OR UGHTWEIGHT * SlUMP BLOCKS * SCREEN WALL BLOCKS c '-' "For Quality U. n..A BlocV ELLIOTT PRECISION BLOCK CO. DELIVERY SERVICE 157 Rlncho ~I. . P. O. Box 499 . Son Blmlrdino, CollI. 92402 . Phonl (714) 885.6581 JUBE 11.1990 Rec1n810pment AgencT Of the CitT of SIm Bernarc1ino. Calif. 300 Borth J) Street 81m Bernarc1ino. CA 92.18 Re: Mt. Vernon Corric1or Rec1enlopment Project Gentlemen: The purpole of thil1eUer II to exprell our IUpport tor the ac1option of the Mt. Vernon Corric1or Rec1eftlopment Project. Our bUliDal hili been operating in itl prelent location tor Oftr U years. 1mc1 '98 are '9811 aware of blightec1 conc1itioDl in our imaec1iate area 1mc1 belien rec1nelopment wulc1 be a benefit to our PropeMT ftlue 1mc1 neighborhood in general. AI a repruentatin of our complmT. I 8Dl a member of the project area committee 1mc1 mT brother. Malcolm Elliott. allO attenc1ec1 mOlt of the committee.1 meetingl. Ve YaDtecJ to participate in the rec1enlopment procen to protect our bUlinel1 from ac1nrle actionl on the part of the recJenlpment agencT III '98 '98re aware of _other bloct complmT in Imother city that ftS liqulc1atec1 c1ue to rec1enlopment. AI '98 learnec1 more about rec1enloplllent. it became obnoUl that it elm be the catalyst for rene'98c1 economic health for our area. Tw yearl ago. '98 ablmc1onec1 pllml to bullc1 a ney office 1mc1 merchlmcJiling c1ilplaT area on the corner of our almufacturing pl_t propeMT becaUle of the high COlt of Itreet impronmentl Imd unc1ergrouncJ utilitiel. Ve hacl approncJ pl8DIlmc1 '98re reacJy to paT for the permit. The COlt of the street illlprOftmentl wulc1 haft been more th_ coDltructing our ney bullc1iDg. Vith the help of the rec1enlopment agencT thll project might han been attorc1able. rm lure our bUlinul il not the only one facing a lillli1ar lituation. Pleue aclopt the Mt. Vernon Corric1or Rec1enlopment PI_. It 'rill rentalize thil area of SIm Bernarc1ino 1mc1 'rill be a benefit to the Yhole city. ~/J.2~ MelYiD G. Elliott. Treuurer c ,'" \., .,r-', ~....'" c ....-.... '-' JUNE 11, 1990 Mr. & Mrs. Melvin E1Hott P. O. Box 3601 Blue Jay, CA 92317 Redevelopment Agency Of the City of San Bernardino, Calif. 300 North D Street San Bernardino, CA 92418 Re: Mt. Vernon Corridor Redevelopment Project Gentlemen: The purpose of this letter Is to express our support for the adoption of the Mt. Vernon Corridor Redevelopment Project. As property owners, we are well aware of blighted conditions in our immediate area and believe redevelopment would be a benefit to our property value and neighborhood in general. The development of our fifteen + acres, which are now vacant, would be much more economically feasible with the help of the redevelopment agency providing street and utility i mproyements. It is our hope that jobs and economic health will follow the implementation of the redevelopment plan and the whole City of San Bernardino will benefit. Sincerely, /111l) , JO ~J;J ~ ;fl'~.~ ~ MelYin G. E1Hott . ~ Elizabeth E1Hott ~ C', (' c "" ,j ---- """" '-' ~ DEVELOPMENT. INVESTMENT 2699 WhIte Road Suite 150 Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 660-8888 FAX: 1714) 660-8068 June 4, 1990 Ms. Susan M. Morales P:t'oject Manager Redevelopment Agency 300 North D Street Fourth Floor San Bernardino, CA 92418 Re: Mt. Vernon Corridor Redevelopment Project Dear Susan: I attended the meeting held last week at Richard Prep High School regarding the implementation of the above referenced Redevelopment Plan. Obviously, your job is not an easy one and I wish you the best of luck. In any event, my property is industrial in nature and is located on I Street near Mill. I would like to get together with you or someone with the Agency to discuss the possible redevelopment opportunities along that corridor which backs onto the freeway. I will give you a call to set up a mutually convenient time to meet to discuss this matter further. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please give me a call. Mrs. y Keefe JCP:rg .~"" ,,-'.;, , , r' '- ...-' rJ/l&GIIAM ~'Portable Services" May 30, 1990 Mrs. Susan Morales Project Manager City of San Bernardino Redevelopment Agency 300 North "0" Street San Bernardino, CA 92418 Dear Mrs. Morales: I would like to express my support for the redevelopment of the Mt. Vernon Corridor Project Area. As a member of this City's business community I feel that redevelopment of the proposed area would not only be beneficial to the res i dents of the area but that it is a vi ta 1 tool for the economic growth and development of the businesses along the corridor. Within the next five to ten years escalating housing costs that have forced many families away from other areas will bring those same families to the Inland Empire. The dilapidation and blighted conditions which currently exist within the project area are not conducive to solicitation of new businesses which will be needed to support increased popUlation. Very truly yours, ~~~~ Maureen Giovanni c ~ BI...,TIRES," /"'''" Big D Tires 101 South Mount VemonAvenue San Bernardino. 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