Tag Archives: Eastvale Economic Development

Eastvale: Here We Grow Again-REVISED

eastvale gatewayBY K.P. SANDER

 

Eastvale – Let’s take a drive through the grand city of Eastvale and see what is new and exciting as we continue to grow.

Start in the east part of the City near the I-15 Freeway, and pull into the Eastvale Gateway center at the northeast corner of Hamner and Limonite. Take a gander at the brand new Food Court sign stretching across the area by The Habit Burger Grill and Von’s market. The new signage really spruces the courtyard up, and alludes to some wonderful culinary possibilities (have you ever had the pastrami on sourdough at The Habit? I’d call it wonderful). Not quite a food choice, but new all the same is the Cellular Repair store, between the dentist and the forthcoming Tio’s Mexican Food. Since practically everyone on the planet has a cell phone, I’d say, “Well done, Gateway.” Speaking of Tio’s, word on the Eastvale News Facebook page is lots of positive anticipation and reports of really good food and service – okay, that was a few words, but excitement over delicious tacos cannot be contained to just one.

Staying in the same center, now drive over toward the movie theatre where you will find Pho Viet, a Vietnamese noodle house next door to Bamboo Thai. And then right between the theatre and Nestlé’s is the Snow Station. I had to know more, and found that their website asks a poignant question: “Have you ever wondered what freshly fallen snow would taste like if it were combined with your favorite flavors?” If it is macaroni and cheese, then no, I have never wondered about this. But if it is a “cold, light, fluffy, cotton candy melting cream that is rich and dreamy and will dazzle my taste buds and is a healthy, lactose-free and vegan friendly dessert option with flavors like strawberry, mango, passion fruit, green apple and raspberry,” then YES! Sounds like a great post-movie or beat-the-heat treat.

We are now going to head to the southwest part of the city, so exit Gateway onto Limonite, but before you do, take a look across the street at Gateway South and be amazed by the progress that the Eastvale San Antonio Medical Center has made. That building is up and the exterior is quite polished; it appears to be developing nicely toward the grand opening this fall.

As you pass the Starbucks on Limonite, set your GPS for “the other Starbucks,” and head toward the Marketplace at the Enclave, at the corner of Archibald and Schleisman. You know CVS and Jack-in-the-Box, and you might know that appearing in the not-too-distant future are Fantastic Sam’s, Mes Amies Hair and Nails, Foot Massage, Dentistry with Nihar Tanna DDS, Lee’s Noodle House and Juice It Up; but did you know we are getting a Great Harvest Bread Company? Oh, joy of joys! Not only do they bake amazing, whole-grain, healthy bread daily, but they make some seriously mean sandwiches. But come autumn (and according to Great Harvest themselves, a September Eastvale opening is a possibility) they bring out the big guns…a pumpkin swirl delight that can be transformed into a french toast that is a bucket list all by itself. Seriously, you make some of that at home and a ticker-tape parade will be held in your honor. Just sayin’; its pretty good stuff, if you like that kind of thing (OMG!). Oh, yeah, they’re pretty generous with their samples, too.

Now drive home, get your family, and go out and enjoy the new businesses in Eastvale!

 

Eastvale: Got Walmart?

BY K.P. SANDER

Eastvale – Talk of a Walmart coming to Eastvale has been around the town for quite some time. The property at the southeast corner of Archibald and Limonite is the destination of the project, which is still in the preliminary planning phase, as in, can this really happen?

According to the City of Eastvale’s Public Information Officer, Michele Nissen, Walmart is still a go. The popular retailer is currently in negotiations with Southern California Edison over a 66KV line that sits on Archibald Avenue. Apparently SCE wants Walmart to relocate the line when the road is widened, but Walmart is not keen on spending the $1 million to get it done. Once an agreement has been reached in this regard, the actual planning stage can begin. It could be a year before it comes before Eastvale’s Planning Commission.

According to their website, Walmart operates nearly 11,000 stores in 27 countries, including 282 retail establishments in California. They employ 2.2 million employees, or associates, worldwide, and expect fiscal year 2014 sales of approximately $473 billion. Their mission is to help people around the world save money and live better, and try to keep integrity as the cornerstone of their operations from retail transactions to community giving and global responsibility. But Market Watch (Wall Street Journal) has recently noted that the company has reported five straight quarters of declining same-store sales in the U.S., with Sam’s Club sales dropping for two straight quarters. Should we be concerned?

As if this weren’t enough, CNNMoney recently reported that the National Labor Relations Board challenges that Walmart “unlawfully threatened, disciplined and/or terminated workers for engaging in legally protected strikes and protests.” At the heart of this challenge are 60 workers – 19 of whom were fired – who walked off the job in strikes aimed at better pay and benefits in 2012 and 2013. The U.S. Government will have a say in whether this was all done legally, and Walmart could be forced to reinstate the terminated workers and provide them with back pay depending on the outcome of forthcoming court dates. And legalities are part of the norm in any business, especially in one of this size, however the decision could have an effect on employer/employee relationships everywhere.

Despite the recent ruckus, the retail giant could still be a boon to Eastvale by bringing a potential $1 million in sales tax revenue to the City, and another way to “roll back prices” for more than 57,000 Eastvale residents – as well as those in nearby Chino and Ontario. If they can re-gauge their target markets in alignment with new initiatives to better sales, Walmart may indeed help Eastvale save money and live better.

Eastvale: Here We Grow Again

BY K.P. SANDER

 

Eastvale – With the second, and dare we say much needed, Starbucks location at Archibald and Schleisman (I mean, what if you aren’t heading in the direction of the Starbucks in the Ralph’s shopping center?) opening mid April, two additional businesses opened their doors with a ceremonious Ribbon Cutting.

 

Ponino’s Pizzarena: If you are familiar with the Original Graziano’s Pizza in Ontario, then you can appreciate the grand opening of their sister location in the Cloverdale Marketplace at Limonite and Hamner avenues on April 12. Says owner, Lee Turriciano, “We are fortunate to finally be in Eastvale; it’s been a long time coming.”

 

With bright, welcoming décor, and a business philosophy that caters to local sports teams, Turriciano says they are all about quality. “We make our own sauce and dough daily, use real cheese and fresh ingredients,” he adds. Their menu has a wide variety of choices to satisfy any appetite.

 

With a game room, party rooms, and a spacious dining area, there is plenty of space for teams and families to coincide in a friendly atmosphere to celebrate a team victory, or a regular weekly pizza night.

 

New Day Christian Church: On a cool April 26 morning, Eastvale’s first official church building opened its doors. While they were fortunate enough to have their site completed for Easter Sunday services, New Day Christian Church’s appreciation for what has transpired was very apparent at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

 

Dignitaries Mayor Ike Bootsma, Assemblyman Eric Linder, Brad Dupray (Senior Vice President of Church Development Fund), New Day church members, and many other City of Eastvale guests were present to share in the celebration of the 8,530 square foot worship center that has finally come to fruition on the 4.36 acre property next to the fire station on A Street. The realization of this building was many years in the making, and Pastor Ed Moreno couldn’t be more pleased, or more humbled. “When you look at this place, look to God, for we had very little to do with it,” says Moreno.

 

With much of the labor and materials either donated or provided at cost, the concrete tilt-up is a welcome addition to the City of Eastvale, and inspiration to the other, now mobile, churches in the City. As Mayor Bootsma said, “As you know all churches in Eastvale meet in schools and homes. It is exciting that New Day has opened its doors as the very first church here.”

 

JCSD Sewer Project: While the growth of Eastvale is very apparent above ground with new homes and businesses all around, a big part of the development is happening below ground. You may have noticed that many of the streets, especially those close to Limonite and Archibald, are undergoing changes. As part of Jurupa Community Services District’s (JCSD) ongoing capital improvement projects, they have been installing and upgrading the sewer system and non-potable waterlines throughout Eastvale and Jurupa Valley.

 

According to a press release from JCSD, this Master Plan B Trunk Sewer and Non-Potable Waterline project includes major construction in order to upgrade and improve the community’s sewer system infrastructure and to build the first major non-potable water supply line in the region.

 

This construction began March 10 and is expected to continue until May 23, 2014, with a portion of the project continuing through August. Segments of this project involve lane reductions and closures; however, designated detours will redirect motorists.

 

 

Eastvale: An Interview With Mayor Ike Bootsman

By Jennifer Madrigal

Eastvale Mayor Ike Bootsma

Eastvale Mayor Ike Bootsma (image courtesy of Google Images)

Q:  What do you feel is the City’s Biggest Challenge for 2014?

A:  “Our biggest challenge is economic development and bringing new businesses into our city.  We need customers, but we also need businesses and it’s kind of a Catch 22. We have to convince businesses to come into our city because we already do have the customer base needed to support them. Things like “Shop Eastvale” have helped since so much of our city income comes from the sales tax. I also hope that we can get some more industrial business parks and office spaces here in Eastvale so more residents can live, work and shop in Eastvale.”

Q:  What is your number one goal for the City this year?

A:  “Definitely increasing the money we get from sales tax via promoting Shop Eastvale, bringing businesses here, getting more residents in our city and others outside of our city to shop here.”

Q:  What feels great about Eastvale to you?

A:  “The parks.  We have so many great parks and facilities around us and I love how many people are involved in the parks and sports. Kids are participating in sports and using the trails and the equipment and it’s nice that so many local sport programs have the facilities right here available to them. I am so excited for the new Eastvale Community Park to open up and for the community to enjoy those soccer fields and the jogging trails, etc.  Hopefully we will be able to get more regional tournaments here which will help us economically as well.”

Q:  How long have you been here in Eastvale? What’s your history with the City?

A.      “I was born and raised five miles from here in Chino, on a dairy that was one of the first dairies in the Chino Valley area founded in 1938. I moved to the Eastvale area in 1974 and started the Bootsma Calf Ranch with my brother. At one point we had about 8,500 head of cattle. My wife, Squeaker, and I have called Eastvale home ever since.  We have enjoyed watching the city grow and expand.

Get Connected! Shop Eastvale!

Eastvale City Manager

Carol Jacobs, Eastvale City Manager

City Manager

Let’s face it, we live in a digital age.  There are ever-growing ways to connect with people across the globe and snail mail is losing its glory and immediacy.  People want accurate, timely information sooner than later and through multiple means that meet their needs at any given moment in time.

Eastvale residents are predominately young and technologically savvy which means that City Hall needs to keep pace with the trends in communications that are utilized by our citizens.  Thankfully, Eastvale City Council and staff recognize the priority and the need to keep our citizens well-informed and engaged in the operations, news, events and more coming from City Hall.   We encourage all residents and visitors to register for e-notification on the City’s website to get the latest updates on community news, meetings, events and more at http://www.eastvaleca.gov.

It’s important to keep the doors of communications open, fresh and engaging at all times and that is why we keep raising the bar and meeting the latest trends in communication.  This past month, the city launched Instagram so that the city and our residents can tell the pictorial story of Eastvale.  Instagram is a free online photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking platform that allows its users to take pictures and videos, apply digital filters to them, and share them on a variety of social networking services.   As the old adage goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Follow the City of Eastvale on Instagram: thecityofeastvaleca

At the same time, the City launched a LinkedIn profile which is a more business-oriented social media method for connecting with business and industry professionals.  If social media is more your speed, the City of Eastvale has plenty of ways to connect:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/#thecityofeastvaleca

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-eastvale-ca  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofEastvaleCA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityEastvaleCA Give a little Tweet @CityEastvaleCA

The City has also launched our Shop Eastvale program and website – just in time for holiday shopping!  The Shop Eastvale program is part of the City’s economic development initiative and represents, in part our commitment to the success and growth of the Eastvale business community.  It’s important to help the Eastvale businesses grow and thrive and we are honored to have the support and collaboration of the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce.  The excitement is not over yet!  In just a short time, we will also have a Shop Eastvale App to complement our new program and help our residents and business community stay connected to shopping in Eastvale.  This app will be available for Apple and Android users. For more information on our Shop Eastvale program, please visit: http://www.shopeastvaleca.com

Should you have any questions or comments, City Hall may be reached at Hall (951) 361-0900. City Hall office hours are Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm, closed every Friday.

Shop Eastvale!