Rail system between Redlands and San Bernardino moves forward

The long-planned project has cleared its environmental hurdles and been cleared to begin design and construction. Proponents hope it will not only lessen traffic in both communities but attract commercial development along its route as well. How much the latter happens is open to debate, says one local retail broker.

A planned light-rail project that would run between Redlands and San Bernardino could do more than improve traffic flow in, and between, those two cities.

The proposed $240 million system, which is being developed by San Bernardino Associated Governments with some help from both cities, could also be a commercial boost for the region, according to officials familiar with the project.

Even though the rail line isn’t expected to be up and running until 2018, at the earliest, several developments are already under construction or being planned along the nine-mile Redlands Passenger Rail Project. There’s also a possibility of more development happening along the light-rail line as it takes shape, according to officials familiar with the proposed development.

“It could have a big impact, not just in Redlands and San Bernardino but in all of San Bernardino County,” said Mitch Alderman, director of rail and transportation projects for SANBAG. “It’s already creating some commercial development, and there could be more in the future. It’s also going to put some high-skilled people to work, which will be good for the economy.”

Alderman was referring to several projects, including a clinic being built by Loma Linda University near the future rail line, a planned Veterans Administration facility that would cover about 270,000 square feet and have a staff of 500, and possible development around the University of Redlands, where a station will be built.

“The university might even build a small hotel,” Alderman said.

One Redlands company is so anxious to see the rail line happen that it will put its own money behind the project.

ESRI, the international supplier of geographic information and mapping software, has agreed to build a rail station on New York Street, said Don Berry, the company’s chief operating officer.

That structure will be about two blocks from the company’s Redlands headquarters at 380 New York Street, at one end of the rail line. Cost of the station has not been determined, but ESRI is “absolutely committed” to developing it, Berry said.

ESRI, which has been in Redlands since 1969, would be helped greatly by the rail project once it’s up and running.

“We have people come in from out of town all of the time, and they expect to have a rail line because that’s what they’re used to,” Berry said. “If it was there, they would use it. We also have interns during the summer and most of them don’t have cars, so the only way they can get around is on a rail line.”

Besides lightening traffic, the long-planned rail project could also be a catalyst for more development in downtown Redlands, Berry said.

“We know the city has some ideas for commercial development in that area,” Berry said. “We would certainly sit down and talk with them about that. We look at this as something we need to do for the community.

The project cleared a major hurdle last month when SANBAG gave its final approval to its environmental impact report. That action came one month after the proposed rail line was found to be in compliance with the federal environmental guidelines, all of which means final designs and construction can begin.

Funding will come from state and federal sources and Measure I, the half-cent sales tax for transportation projects that San Bernardino County voters approved in 1989 and voted to extend in 2004.

Talk of a light-rail line between Redlands and San Bernardino began in the early 1990s, immediately after Measure I passed and there was money available for such projects, said Carl Baker, the city’s public information officer.

The project, which will require five stations, will also make it easy for people in Redlands to connect with the Metrolink station in San Bernardino, which will be close to the city’s new light-rail station.

“The idea has been around for years, but now it looks like it’s going to happen,” Baker said. “Because of the Metrolink connection, it’s going to make it possible to travel by rail from Redlands to Los Angeles, which will be a great thing for the city.”

The Redlands City Council recently passed a resolution supporting the Redlands Passenger Rail Project, which despite its name is almost entirely a SANBAG project, Baker said.

“There’s a little opposition out there, but overall I would say support for it is pretty solid, especially downtown where it’s going to enhance businesses,” Baker said.

The Redlands Passenger Rail Project will operate on a right-of-way formerly owned by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It’s expected to begin operating in 2018.

The first phase of construction will include replacing all track, installing two dozen grade crossings and refurbishing five bridges, according to SANBAG.

The areas around ESRI and the University of Redlands probably have the greatest potential to attract commercial development of any place along the proposed rail line, said Rick Lazar, senior vice president with Coldwell Banker Commercial Sudweeks Group in Redlands.

“The most interesting thing happening with this project ESRI has been buying [near their campus] for housing,” said Lazar, whose practice includes retail transactions. “They’re really into the idea that their employees should be able to live close to where they work. I also like being able to get from Redlands to Los Angeles on the Metrolink.”

As for development along the rest of the light-rail line, Lazar is skeptical.

“I’m not so sure,” he said. “The University of Redlands is building this project into its master plan, so something will happen there, but beyond that I don’t know. The rail line won’t hurt, but I don’t know how much it will help either.”