IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
The battle over a massive warehouse project propose for Moreno Valley raged on Tuesday, as residents on both sides of the issue voiced their opinions and occasionally traded insults during a contentious city council meeting.
The World Logistics Center would cover 40.6 square feet – roughly the size of 700 football fields – on the city’s east side. Developer Iddo Benzeevi claims his project will create 20,000 jobs, but critics say the development will add to traffic and pollution and create health hazards.
Because of the amount of public interest the project has generated, the council took the unusual step of holding three special meetings on consecutive nights. All three sessions are being held in city’s Conference & Recreation Center, a larger venue, to accommodate the crowds.
About 100 residents spoke during public comments, which began Monday and ended last night. Council members are expected to vote on the project tonight, following a final discussion the project’s pros and cons.
Tuesday’s meeting grew even more heated than Monday’s session, as both sides exchanged catcalls and shouted down the other side’s speakers. One person was escorted from the meeting by police for being disruptive.
Speaker Darrell Peeden accused Benzeevi of wielding unfair financial influence over several council members and called the developer an example of how corporate money has damaged U.S. politics at all levels.
Beeden, who wore an American flag over his shoulder while addressing the council, was booed loudly by the project’s supporters during his remarks.
Mayor Jesse Molina – who said the council should have a night’s rest before making its decision – several times had to ask the crowd to stop yelling and hurling insults.
