BLOOMINGTON, April 8, 2015 — San Bernardino County Supervisors and Related California executives broke ground on the first phase of construction of a 5-acre site that will contain 106 affordable housing units for qualifying families and a new Bloomington Branch Library on Wednesday. “This project is our Countywide Vision in action. It promotes economic and community revitalization and serves as a flagship of new opportunity for Bloomington. I say that with all of my heart. For all of the people that have called Bloomington their home, this one is for you,” Supervisor Josie Gonzales said during the groundbreaking ceremony. The new 6,712-square-foot Bloomington Branch Library will be on the ground floor of a three-story, 70-unit residential building named Lillian Court that will serve the needs of seniors; 36 townhome units, known as Bloomington Grove, will be built behind the library to serve the needs of families. The development is the first County sponsored project that combines a library, housing, and infrastructure improvements as part of an overall neighborhood revitalization effort. Phase 1, totaling $34 million worth of private and public investment, includes one mile of sewer and water line improvements that enable sewer accessibility to properties on the North and South side of Valley Blvd. and streetscape improvements in the form of medians that complement the county’s long-term investment plan for the unincorporated area of Bloomington. Environmentally friendly, the entire project uses California drought-tolerant materials and has open space with meandering pathways. Related California CEO Bill Witte, Chairman James Ramos, and Supervisor Josie Gonzales led the event. The Bloomington High School ROTC band and color guard performed at the ceremony. “Over the past 15 years, Related California has created 10 affordable housing communities within the County of San Bernardino," Witte said. “With this experience, we are pleased to partner with the County on this first-of-its-kind endeavor to implement the countywide vision for true community development.”
