Inland Empire Progressive

San Bernardino could use a little sprucing up to say the least. My city has been kick while its down. Hard luck even in good times. Even some its most active citizens talk about it or hide it like some bastard step child. But I’m here to tell you folks its not that bad… in some parts its like you stepped into another world. Like E St. and I want to say 17th, but I can’t recall the cross street. Its shaded and shadowed by trees on both sides. The houses are in the Spanish style that is most beloved architecture here in the Inland Empire. But you wouldn’t believe that a just a couple of blocks north or south you enter rundown apartment complexes with mix-matched colors. Its like two different socio-economies squeezed into a small space. I say this because I do think we need more estate zoning. That means McMansion lot sizes with grand and beautiful Spanish houses filling those lots. I think it will give our city a much need touch of hope and balance.

I think that zoning plays a big part in how cities are prosperous or stagnant. San Bernardino should be building a city that can withstand recession because we did not go with the whims or fashions of the day. We should be a city that works for the long term and that can be distinct and competitive with our neighbors. We have a template now that can be leveraged to provide maximum benefit to our residents. Three corridors are zoned as commercial but we have yet to maximized the potential of that leverage. Highland Ave, Baseline Ave, and E St. are the commercial corridors that need to be developed into their full potential. Highland Ave. and Baseline Ave. are already built out. However, not all the stores are filled. Especially on the east end. Where it kind of dies out after Del Rosa Ave. then picks up on Sterling Ave. Baseline Ave. is built out as well. But these two corridors can use some TLC to be spruced up for provide less of a run down feel and more of an up and coming feel. ...