New developments along freeway will open a new window into Fontana
The extension of Interstate 210 through Fontana not only provides travelers with an alternate freeway to traverse, but the new freeway has opened a new window into the City of Fontana that will forever change this community. This freeway is also bringing Fontana many incredible development opportunities as well. The City is seeing a commercial boom all along the City's segment of Interstate 210. Developers are eager to capitalize on both the new freeway and Fontana's housing growth.
In particular one stretch of Interstate 210, between Sierra Avenue and Citrus Avenue, is brimming with an array of new developments that City leaders have dubbed the "Miracle Mile."
Fontana Auto Center
Along the south side of Interstate 210 between Sierra Avenue and Citrus Avenue, car dealers are buying land in order to be a part of the Fontana Auto Center. The Fontana Auto Center could accommodate as many as 12 dealers, bringing together some of the finest car dealerships in the world.
Fontana Nissan has become the first dealer to open up for business in this new auto center. Fontana Nissan features an impressive showroom along with a customer lounge and café as well as a children's play area. There are a total of 24 service stalls with a special viewing window in the customer café so customers can watch their cars being worked on. Fontana Nissan, under the leadership of Marc Wims, has already become an excellent community partner with a thriving dealership and a state-of-the-art facility.
Two other Fontana dealerships have announced plans to relocate and expand their existing business at the Fontana Auto Center. Both Rock Honda and Rotolo Chevrolet have enjoyed successful dealerships while also being excellent community boosters. Both Rock Honda and Rotolo Chevrolet are working on their development plans for their new expanded dealerships.
The City has received interest from many other car dealers looking at potentially locating within the new Fontana Auto Center. This entire project is dealer driven with individual dealers negotiating and buying their own property. The City of Fontana is not buying land for any of these dealers. The City is working on the design of a state-of-the-art freeway pylon sign for the Fontana Auto Center.
Lewis Retail Centers bring quality development to Fontana
Most of the land along the north side of Interstate 210 between Sierra and Citrus Avenues is being developed by Lewis Retail Centers. The Lewis family and the Lewis Group of Companies have been a good community partner with the City of Fontana for many years. From planned communities and retail centers to Sierra Lakes Golf Course and the Ralph M. Lewis Sports Complex, the Lewis Company has proved that they are committed to the success of Fontana and its residents. "Fontana is emerging as a new center of significant retail and quality residential growth. We view our role as partners with the City of Fontana in helping to build the best community possible," said Randall Lewis, Executive Vice President of Lewis Operating Company. "It is Fontana's turn to bask in the glory of its planning and hard work. It's Fontana's turn to capture the sale tax dollars that have been going to other communities," added Lewis.
Sierra Lakes Marketplace
Residents are already enjoying Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, which is anchoring the newly developed Sierra Lakes Marketplace. This 300,000 square foot upscale retail center is located at the northwest corner of Sierra Avenue and Interstate 210. In addition to Washington Mutual that is already open for business, plans are being finalized for other businesses to become a part of the Sierra Lakes Marketplace including Applebee's, El Pollo Loco and Carl's Jr that are all slated to open in 2006.
During the State of the City Address, Mayor Mark Nuaimi announced that Costco is looking to become part of Fontana and the "Miracle Mile". Costco and Lewis are finalizing development plans and both are working hard to see that the new 150,000 square foot Fontana Costco opens in 2006 in order to serve the residents of Fontana.
Sierra Lakes Professional Park
Still in the planning stages, the 120,000 square foot Sierra Lakes Professional Park is developing a business center along with a 45,000 square foot LA Fitness Center.
Sierra Lakes Village
Planned for the North East corner of Citrus Avenue and Interstate 210, Sierra Lakes Village will be a 107,000 square foot neighborhood center anchored by Ralph's and Walgreen's. The center will also include Well's Fargo Bank and Wienerschnitzel.
Sierra Lakes West
Home Depot will anchor Sierra Lakes West being developed on the northwest corner of Citrus Avenue and Interstate 210. This new retail center is expected to open in 2006 and will also include Chevron and Farmer Boys.
Sierra San Antonio Medical Plaza
Construction is underway for the Sierra San Antonio Medical Plaza that will be a three-story, 60,000 square foot medical building located along the north side of Interstate 210 near Cypress Avenue. "We are excited about this state-of-the-art medical facility that will not only provide needed medical care to our fast growing community, but will also bring high-end professional jobs to Fontana," said Mayor Nuaimi.
This project is a joint venture between San Antonio Community Hospital and Phoenix-based Ensemble Real Estate. Sierra San Antonio Medical Plaza will house urgent care, laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy services along with physician offices. Depending on specialty needs, the building can accommodate as many as 20-30 office suites to meet the medical needs of families moving here.
The Promenade Experience
The Fontana Promenade plan envisions what is referred to as a lifestyle/mixed-use center. The City is planning to develop a center that promotes pedestrian connections and a gathering place for the community. The project area will encompass nearly 100 acres along Sierra Avenue between Baseline and South Highland Avenues. The proposed development will include retail and commercial as well as residential developments. "The Promenade is the type of development we'd like to see at the gateway to our City as people are welcomed to Fontana from the 210 freeway. This would be one of the first walking districts helping define Fontana as a healthy community," said Mayor Nuaimi. This promenade project will feature pedestrian walkways between the residential and retail areas with an Italian Tuscan architectural theme. It may include specialty retail stores, a multi-screen movie theatre and restaurants.
Why develop a Promenade?
A decline in the traditional mall or strip-mall over the past two decades has been followed by an increase in the popularity of new retail centers called "Lifestyle Retail" centers. These centers represent a departure from previous retail development that was often focused more on attracting and maintaining retail tenants rather than the needs and desires of the customer. The Promenade is meant to customize its environment to the changing lifestyle of the consumer in order to make it a stimulating and social place to gather.
The City wants to create an area where residents of Fontana will be able to take care of most of their recreational and social needs like shopping, dinning and entertainment, thus keeping and creating more sales tax revenue for the City.
Article courtesy of www.fontana.org
CONTACT
Let Us Know What You
Like About This Site Email Comments
My Online Neighborhood, Inc. is neither responsible nor liable for any Content posted to this Web Site by anyone other than My Online Neighborhood, Inc., including without limitation, statements or opinions posted to discussion boards or forums, advertising, hyperlinks to other websites, and the like, and makes no representations with respect to the truth or appropriateness of any such third party Content. See Legal Notice for further information.
