This past Friday and Saturday, the City of Colton invited stakeholders, developers, business owners to participate in a hosted Charrette to create the “Vision” for Colton’s Hub City Center area. There are new developments currently under construction or planned in and around the Hub City Center area, and more input was being asked for at this meeting, by those invited.
“Charrette” (noun) means “ a meeting in which all stakeholders in a project area attempt to resolve challenges and architecturally map solutions for a common vision”. Hub Center Planning Areas 9 and 16 is comprised of approximately 65 developable acres and some of the future development that has been proposed is made up of office space both commercial and retail, retail outlets, restaurants, entertainment venues, hospitality, medical support services, assisted living, and professional and student housing. As discussions were being had during the conference, it was shown how the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center was the pearl in the oyster of the growth of the HUB City Center. There are so many projects on the drawing board with the Hospital and the ancillary buildings surrounding the Medical Center which will affect the overall future growth of the area. Dr. Ganadev, the Medical Director for the Hospital, said, "One of the exciting additions to the hospital campus will be the new Medical School to be built over the next couple of years north of the hospital on approximately seven acres of land previously owned by the Colton Joint Unified School District". The first class for the school we be started on July 16, 2018 at its temporary location at the Club Center in San Bernardino.
During the opening remarks and introductions at the Charrette, Dr. Ganadev gave a brief overview of what the status is with the new surgical center that is being built across Meridian behind the hospital. It is near completion, and the first floor will house the surgical suites and operating rooms, the second floor will have medical offices and 19 exam rooms, and the 3rd floor will be the new vascular center. In addition to the surgical center, there was an additional 22 acres of land purchased around the surgical center for future housing for the medical students, other medical services and extra parking which will be needed to service the clientele of the expanded hospital requirements.
The main focus areas of the meeting were Planning Area 9 which is designated for retail use/mix use (25 acres) and Planning Area 16 which is designated as retail (approx. 68.1 acres) that will be reduced down to nearly 65 developable acres. At the meeting Peter Quintanilla, Urban Designer along with his team of associates who were with Michael Baker International (a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, who has been partnering with communities since 1940 to help solve their most complex infrastructure challenges with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity) gave their valuable expertise and insight on what type of business development would work well in the HUB center area between the different stakeholders and developers. In attendance at the meeting were two City Council members Woods and Toro; Councilmember Toro, First District is where the HUB City Project build out will be most concentrated.
The event was held at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Management Office Building (MOB) conference area on the third floor with Arthur Morgan, Economic Development Manager for the City of Colton overseeing the event. The overall goal of the meeting, as mentioned before, was to obtain buy in from the local leaders, stakeholders, developers both residential and commercial, vendors, hotel and restaurant providers on a consolidated game plan (Vision) to present to the public and future business brokers and owners interested in locating to the City of Colton.