For Economic Development Committee August 28, 2024
TO: Honorable Economic Development Committee Members
FROM: Colby Cataldi, Director of Community Development
Title
Pacific Electric Rail Museum Project
Body
BACKGROUND
On November 15, 2022, City Council acting as the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Rialto, adopted Resolution No. 7999 approving Amendment #5 to the Long-Range Property Management Plan for the Disposition of Real Estate Assets Owned by the Successor Agency.
On May 10, 2022, the City Council authorized Staff to submit an application to the California Transportation Commission for an Active Transportation Program ("ATP") grant in the amount of $7.5 million to complete the extension of the Pacific Electric Trail from Cactus Avenue to Pepper Avenue. The City was awarded the ATP grant, allowing for the City to complete the extension of the Pacific Electric Trail. The Property is adjacent to a portion of the former Pacific Electric railway right-of-way being considered for the extension of the Pacific Electric Trail. The Property served as the Rialto Station of the Riverside-Rialto interurban train service operated by the Pacific Electric Railway from 1914 to 1940. The station building was designed by Thornton Fitzhugh, the architect who also designed the railroad's main terminal known as the Pacific Electric Building located at 610 S. Main Street in downtown Los Angeles.
However, in lieu of selling the Property for use as a privately owned commercial restaurant, it is possible in the alternative to modify the LRPMP designation from "liquidate for the benefit of taxing entities" to "retention by the City for governmental use" as an historical site, museum, and/or other uses that acknowledge the Property's historical significance in the City and are compatible with the City's Rialto Pacific Electric Trail Expansion project. The intent would be to pursue state and federal grant funds to restore the Property to its origina...
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