Downtown San Bernardino: Difference between revisions
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'''Downtown San Bernardino''' is the [[central business district]] of [[San Bernardino, California]], located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered city is such that its downtown core is often considered a separate district. It is home to the city and county government buildings. The area officially termed "downtown" is bounded by the downtown freeway loop: north to south [[Interstate 215 (California)|Interstate 215]] (in downtown) and west to east [[Interstate 10]] (south of downtown). Further north is [[Interstate 210 (California)|Interstate 210]]. |
'''Downtown San Bernardino''' is the [[central business district]] of [[San Bernardino, California]], located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered city is such that its downtown core is often considered a separate district. It is home to the city and county government buildings. The area officially termed "downtown" is bounded by the downtown freeway loop: north to south [[Interstate 215 (California)|Interstate 215]] (in downtown) and west to east [[Interstate 10]] (south of downtown). Further north is [[Interstate 210 (California)|Interstate 210]]. |
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The ''California Planning & Development Report'' recently ranked San Bernardino's downtown |
The ''California Planning & Development Report'' recently ranked San Bernardino's downtown on its list of "Most Disappointing Mid-Sized City Downtowns in California," largely due to poor [[public safety]].<ref>{{citation | last=Shigley | first=Paul | title=California's Best And Worst Mid-Sized City Downtowns | url=http://www.cp-dr.com/node/1782 | journal=California Planning & Development Report | date= [[September 10]], [[2007]] | accessdate=2007-12-17}}</ref> The [[San Bernardino County Sun]]'s own reporters refer to the area as "urban nightmare," due to the high crime.<ref>{{cite news | last=Rayburn | first=Kelly | title=Urban nightmare targeted | url=http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_3653202 | date=2006-03-30 | publisher=[[San Bernardino County Sun]] | accessdate=2007-12-24}}</ref> Local city planners and developers say the area is "poised for a renaissance," although these plans seem to hinge on the successful development of the Carousel Mall site.<ref name="Rogers">{{cite news | last=Rogers | first=Robert | title=San Bernardino developing | url=http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_7339719?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com-www.sbsun.com | date=2007-11-01 | publisher=[[San Bernardino County Sun]] | accessdate=2007-12-21}}</ref> |
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==Parks== |
==Parks== |
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Revision as of 23:59, 26 December 2007
Downtown San Bernardino is the central business district of San Bernardino, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered city is such that its downtown core is often considered a separate district. It is home to the city and county government buildings. The area officially termed "downtown" is bounded by the downtown freeway loop: north to south Interstate 215 (in downtown) and west to east Interstate 10 (south of downtown). Further north is Interstate 210.
The California Planning & Development Report recently ranked San Bernardino's downtown on its list of "Most Disappointing Mid-Sized City Downtowns in California," largely due to poor public safety.[1] The San Bernardino County Sun's own reporters refer to the area as "urban nightmare," due to the high crime.[2] Local city planners and developers say the area is "poised for a renaissance," although these plans seem to hinge on the successful development of the Carousel Mall site.[3]
Parks
Seccombe Lake
Seccombe Lake is known as "The Duck Park" or "El Parque De Los Patos". It is a haven for homeless transients.[4][5] Bodies are frequently found floating around in it.[6] It is located at the corner of 5th Street and Sierra Way.
Meadowbrook Park
Meadowbrook Park is the main downtown park and is home to much activity. The park is located at the corner of 3rd Street and Sierra Way
Court Street Square
Court Street Square is a square in the downtown area used for the Main Street's events. Downtown San Bernardino is home to many festivals throughout the year including the annual Route 66 Rendezvous, in honor of mother road highway 66. 500,000 classic cars come from around the world for this event which takes place on the third weekend in September for four days and three nights of a classic car parade. Court Street Square is at the corner of Court Street and "E" Street.
Performing arts
The California Theater of Performing Arts, in downtown San Bernardino, holds cultural events, including touring Broadway theatre presented by Theatrical Arts International the Inland Empire's Largest Theatre Company and the San Bernardino Symphony. The Hyundai Pavilion in adjacent Devore, the National Orange Show, and Coussoulis Arena at Cal State San Bernardino host popular music. The historic Fox Theatre of San Bernardino is also located in the downtown area, next to American Sports University. The Fox Theater is being reopened and remodelled.
San Bernardino City Hall
Planning of the current City Hall began in 1963 under the guidance of a citizen's committee. The design contracts for the City Hall, Exhibition Hall and parking structure were completed by September 1972. Gruen Associates—architect César Pelli provided the design. Architectural journals and critics in the US, Europe and Japan have been unanimous in their praise of Gruen Associates' design as an outstanding example of public architecture: 6,000 tinted smoke glass windows avoid visibility from outside. Outside: 90% glass. Basic component: Metal Studs & Dry Wall. The City Hall is a six story, glass-sheathed building—sculpture designed to engender civic pride and reflect the urban environment around it. Internally, with the exception of the council chambers, it is a functional office building with flexibility in wall and floor plan.
Downtown Universities
American Sports University is located downtown and all other San Bernardino universities are located outside of downtown, such as California State University, San Bernardino which is located northwest of downtown.
Carousel Mall
In 1972, the downtown shopping mall was known as Central City Mall. It opened to fanfare and wide popularity, with anchor stores Harris’, J. C. Penney, and Montgomery Ward. In the late 1980s, the mall began to decline. Its name was changed to the "Carousel Mall" as part of a failed revitalization plan in the early 1990s.
Today, all the anchor stores and many of the businesses left. Harris closed in 2000, Montgomery Ward in 2002, and J. C. Penny finally closed in 2003. In response to the closures, the mall's owners developed a mixed-use concept to fill vacated retail outlets with offices. Today, the mall houses more than 300 San Bernardino County employees and 150 from the San Bernardino Unified School District. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. employs more than 400 in the mall and is downtown San Bernardino's largest private employer. As of 2006, about 65 retail stores were still open for business.[7]
LNR Property Corp purchased the property in February 2006 with the intention of developing a high density residential and commercial project, but the regional housing slump appears to have deterred the company from moving ahead.[3]
Transportation
San Bernardino is served by Metrolink. Lines include the Metrolink Inland Empire-Orange County Line and the Metrolink San Bernardino Line. Amtrak's Southwest Chief, operating from Los Angeles to Chicago has one daily train in each direction that stops at the San Bernardino station.
Downtown Bus
The City of San Bernardino is a member of the joint-powers authority Omnitrans, including downtown. A Bus Rapid Transit project, called SB-X, is planned from Cal State San Bernardino to Loma Linda. A bus transit center is planned in the vicinity of E Street and Rialto Avenue. Omnitransbuses stop at a number of bus stops throughout the downtown area. There is also the Martha bus which takes people directly from downtown to the communities in the San Bernardino Mountains.
The airport provides both domestic and international air services. It provides growth to the city and the Inland Empire. Buses serve the airport, which lies two to three miles from downtown.
Buildings
Main buildings
| Rank | Name | Street Address | Year | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caltrans Center | 464 West 4th St., San Bernardino | 1998 | Government |
| 2 | Clarion Hotel & Convention Center | 295 North E St., San Bernardino | 1987 | Hotel |
| 3 | St. Bernadine Plaza | Fifth St., San Bernardino | Residential | |
| 4 | Vanir Tower | 290 North D St., San Bernardino | 1974 | Office |
| 5 | San Bernardino City Hall | 300 North D St., San Bernardino | Government | |
| 7 | 303 Building | 303 West Third St. San Bernardino | 1966 | Government |
Other buildings
- San Bernardino Employment and Training Agency Building
- Andresen Building
- Bank Of America Building
- Wells Farago Building
- WaMu Building
- First American Title Building
- Building 505
- San Bernardino County Center Building
- County of San Bernardino Court 2 Building in 3rd Street
- County Records Tower
Gallery
-
San Bernardino, Amtrak station, Santa Fe Depot -
Vanir Tower next to City hall in "D" Street -
DowntownSan Bernardino in 2004 -
Building in Downtown called the San Bernardino Plaza -
Downtown Hotel Tower 1 -
Court District of San Bernardino County called the Arrowhead Plaza -
Forth Street also known as Broadway because home to some theaters in downtown. -
Andresen Building -
San Bernardino County Records Tower
External links
References
- ^ Shigley, Paul (September 10, 2007), "California's Best And Worst Mid-Sized City Downtowns", California Planning & Development Report, retrieved 2007-12-17
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Rayburn, Kelly (2006-03-30). "Urban nightmare targeted". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
- ^ a b Rogers, Robert (2007-11-01). "San Bernardino developing". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
- ^ Rogers, Robert (2006-10-08). "Homes plan not for homeless". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
- ^ Kennedy-Ross, Selicia (2006-05-22). "In a day's work". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
- ^ Weeks, John (2007-07-11). "SB park needs new marketing strategy". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
- ^ Steinberg, Jim (2006-02-16). "Another transition for Carousel Mall, downtown". San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
