EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 63, NO. 47
August 27, 2026
San Bernardino Council Revisits Downtown PBID Amid Broader Revitalization Debate
IECN.com
Blythe, Norco Among Riverside County Prison Towns Facing Job Losses After Closures Pg. 4
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL The San Bernardino City Council sits on the dais during its Aug. 5 meeting at the Bing Wong Auditorium inside the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library, two weeks before members revisited the proposed downtown PBID.
By Manny Sandoval
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yearslong push to establish a Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) in downtown San Bernardino returned to the City Council on Aug. 19, but council members stopped short of advancing the proposal and instead called for it to
become part of a broader discussion about downtown revitalization. The PBID appeared as a receive-and-file item, meaning no decision was required. No district was formed, no assessment was approved and the council took no action to begin the formal formation process.
Still, the discussion marked the latest public step in an effort downtown property owners have pursued for more than five years. Kelly Rankin, senior project manager with Civitas, presented findings from a feasibility study completed in early 2023 PBID, Cont. next pg.
CJUSD’s $27M Deal Requires Opposition Withdrawal to Massive Warehouse Project Next to Zimmerman Elementary MVC Super Saturday Helps Students, Families Navigate Resources & Learn About New Housing Pg. 5
New Loma Linda Rehab Hospital Brings Expanded Care to Redlands Pg. 8
PHOTOS MANNY SANDOVAL Zimmerman Elementary, left, sits beside the roughly 213-acre Bloomington Business Park project, where plans call for up to 3.24 million square feet of industrial development.
By Manny Sandoval Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com
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n executed settlement between Colton Joint Unified School District and the developer of the Bloomington Business Park shows CJUSD could receive up to $27 million while retaining ownership of Zimmerman
Elementary School, but the agreement also requires the district to withdraw its opposition to the project and commits CJUSD not to file or support specified projectrelated litigation. CJUSD says Zimmerman, which sits adjacent to the development area, will remain open. San Bernardino County
describes the Bloomington Business Park Specific Plan as a roughly 213-acre project that could accommodate up to 3.24 million square feet of industrial and business park uses at full buildout. A Board of Supervisors public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22. Mega Warehouse cont. on next pg.