Chino Hills has much to look forward to in the year 2008. Many projects that have been part of the community's vision for many years will be completed during 2008 and 2009. One of the City Council's long-held priorities has been to work for the long-term financial security of the community. The Council has maintained fiscal constraint since our incorporation in 1991; and, has sought to maximize the commercial potential of vacant property due to the fact that local governments rely on sales tax revenue to fund municipal services. Several major commercial projects will come on line in 2008 and 2009.
By the end of May, this community will come together to celebrate the grand opening of The Shoppes at Chino Hills. This significant project resulted from our partnership with Opus West, Inc. to develop the lifestyle center at Peyton Drive and Grand Avenue. The complexity of the project was daunting and we have been focused on its planning, development, and completion for many years. As a result, Chino Hills residents will enjoy upscale shopping and dining opportunities that have not been available in Chino Hills before; and, our 1% share of the sales tax generated is projected to add just over $1 million to the City's General Fund to help fund City services. The City Council worked tirelessly with Opus West to ensure our vision that "The Shoppes" would bring something unique to Chino Hills. What we'll have is a very walk-able, smaller version of the popular Victoria Gardens, with its own pedestrian promenade. We will also be working in partnership with Opus West, and the Employment Development Department of the County of San Bernardino, to hold job fairs and match Chino Hills residents with job opportunities related to the project. Check the "Pardon Our Dust" section of our website, www.chinohills.org for a list of signed tenants.
Another Opus West project, the Commons, located at Chino Hills Parkway on the east side of SR71, is being graded now. Sales tax revenue generated from this project is projected to add approximately $700,000 to our General Fund. Major tenants include Lowe's, Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ, Toys R Us / Babies R U, and Ayres Hotel.
Another project along the Peyton Drive corridor that will be finished in 2008 and early 2009 is our new permanent Government Center. The Chino Hills Police/Sheriff's Department is expected to move in August from temporary quarters across Peyton Drive to the new state-of-the-art 30,000 square foot facility. The 28,000 square foot Library, the City Hall, and the Fire District Administrative Headquarters will be occupied a few months later.
Infrastructure improvements on Peyton Drive will continue, as will the "Peyton Drive, Another Route Might Be a Better Route" campaign. Construction on Phase I Peyton Drive improvements from Grand Avenue to English Road should be finished by the end of the summer. Environmental review for Phase II Peyton Drive improvements from English Road to Chino Hills Parkway is nearly complete. Right-of-way purchases will begin when the Environmental determination is finalized by Caltrans. Construction on Phase II, which includes English Channel, is expected in 2009 and may result in the temporary closure of Eucalyptus Avenue between Peyton Drive and the entrance to Chino Hills Community Park.
Our park system will also see progress in 2008. The transformation of the McCoy residence at the McCoy Equestrian & Recreation Center into a community building may be done by the time you read this. The building and new covered patios will be available for small receptions and events soon. The next community facility will be the community center at the old City Yard site on Pipeline Avenue. Design is underway for the 15,000 S.D. building. In 2008 we expect to see the demolition of the old building, and plan to award the construction contract in the spring or summer of 2008. The County of San Bernardino has committed $6 million to the project.
Our Park Master Plan update in 2007 helped identify needed recreational facilities. The City Council has authorized conceptual designs for several park projects although funding for construction is not available. Once completed, the City Council will review the design concepts and may fund additional design work for projects that are most competitive for Proposition 84 grant funding. We are undertaking this effort because "shelf ready" projects are often the first to receive grant funding.
Several other projects will be among our top priorities during the coming year including monitoring the water supply and encouraging water conservation; continuing our efforts to encourage an alternate route for power lines that are proposed by Edison's Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project; monitoring prison issues at the State level and their affect on the California Institution for Men in Chino; and monitoring the State budget and potential impacts to Chino Hills. We will also keep our lobbyists at the State and Federal level busy promoting our legislative agenda.
As always, the City Council is interested in your questions, concerns, and ideas. The City Council telephone number is (909) 364-2620 or my home number is (909) 606-6818. Questions or comments may also be e-mailed to citycouncil@chinohills.org or to my specific address curthagman@aol.com.
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