The Mayors of four local cities – Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula and Lake Elsinore – emphasized growth and public safety as they spoke to hundreds at a local luncheon held by the Women’s Council of Realtors at the offices of the Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS® Jan. 5. The luncheon was sponsored by Chase Bank.
MENIFEE
Mayor Scott Mann referred to Menifee as being in the early stages of the “product lifecycle,” having just recently celebrated its seventh birthday and growing from 65,000 to 85,000 residents during that recessionary period. Menifee was one of only 12 cities (out of 4000) that were showcased at the recent International City Managers Association Conference in Seattle, Washington September.
Mann emphasized Menifee’s central location providing ease of access to various business and recreational opportunities.
“Basically, Menifee is a great place to live, work and raise a family,” he said.
Menifee has approved a General Plan (land use policies), implemented an Economic Development Plan, and a five-year $100 million Capital Improvement Plan. AccoRoading to City Manager Rob Johnson, two of the seven infrastructure projects have been completed to provide volume traffic flow that would carry the city through build-out.
The $4.4 million Newport Road widening was completed in winter 2013; the $4 million Menifee Road “Missing Link” was competed in spring 2014. The $48.4 improvement project at Newport Road and Interstate 215 is currently under construction. Future CIP projects include: $5 million Newport Road west widening (2017), $18 million Holland Road Overpass (2017), $52 million Scott Road/215 Interchange improvement (2019), $8 million Bradley Road and Salt Creek improvements (2018), and the $35 million McCall Blvd/I 215 interchange improvement is pending funding with a possible start date in 2020.
Menifee was the second fastest-growing city in Riverside County and the sixth-fastest in the state in 2014. Average household income rose 14.5 percent last year ($67,318) and housing appreciation in 2014 was 25.3 percent. Median age has also dropped from 57 to 38 and unemployment has dropped steadily from 14.7 percent in May 2010 to 8.3 percent in May 2015.
Twenty percent of the 46.4 square mile city is unbuilt and reserved for business development. The General Plan created an economic development corridor on both sides of the 215 freeway that has exposure to 70 to 80,000 cars per day.
“We are creating a business-friendly environment with a streamlined application process and an Ombudsman program,” said Mann. His staff expects a complete build-out within 10 years. “There are 104 active projects, including 16,000 housing units fully-entitled,” said Mann, “Rooftops bring economic development.”
The Town Center Marketplace, a 12.2-acre Rich Development project on Haun Road/Newport Road will feature: Fitness 19, Home Goods, True Value HaRoadware, Jimmy John’s, AIC, Luxottica, Forever 21, Aldi, PetSmart, Party City, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, Kirkland’s, The Habit Burger Grill, Sprint, El Pollo Loco, Sprint, Bright Now Dental, and the Menifee Union School District Education Center. Recent additions include: WaBa Grill, Rubio’s, Ono Hawaiian BBQ, Krispy Kreme, Yogurtland, Pieology, European Wax Center, Nikki’s Nails, Sport Clips and The Joint.
The Menifee Town Center will be comprised of the courthouse, the civic center, Central Park, the twelve-screen Krikorian Theatre, a bowling alley and a sports bar/restaurant.
Menifee Lakes Plaza at the corner of Newport Road and Antelope Road will be anchored by LA Fitness.
The Shops at Menifee Lakes on Rockport Road and Laguna Vista Drive will feature Stater Bros and CVS.
Commerce Pointe will feature 48 business suites in the city’s first industrial park.
Other upcoming projects include: The Heritage Square Shopping Center, The Junction at Menifee & Menifee Crossroads (Wal-Mart Superstore), The Shops at Newport Road.
“Pardon our dust,” said Mann. “We are under construction, but open for business.”
MURRIETA
“Murrieta has grown more than 400 percent in 23 years,” said Mayor Randon Lane. “Growth will happen. Let’s guide it.” Murrieta now has a population of 107,479 with a median age of 34. The average family income is $105,000. Over 60 percent have attended college with 20 percent earning a BA/BS or advanced degree.
Lane cited the 2011 update to the General Plan which will guide the city’s growth to 2035, noting that it is important for real estate professionals to know what is being built where and what the zoning of particular areas are so they can properly represent the city to their clients and prospective new residents.
“Our top priorities are public safety, quality of life and economic development,” said Lane.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has ranked Murrieta among the top 10 safest cities in America since its population reached 100,000 in 2007. Murrieta is currently ranked the second-safest city in the nation. “We have 90 sworn police officers and 51 sworn firefighters,” said Lane. Many live in Murrieta with a vested interest in maintaining the high level of public safety.
“Our city is growing, but we want to maintain a high quality of life – a big city with the same small town feel.” He noted destinations such as the Santa Rosa Plateau that preserves natural open space, activities such as hosting the largest bike race in the nation (Amgen 2013), unique events like the Field of Honor.
Lane sees the biggest challenge for economic development as long-distance commuting: 68 percent of Murrieta’s workers commute more than two hours a day.
“Our vision is for Murrieta to be the next business and technology hub for Southern California. This requires business development to grow existing businesses and attract new businesses as well as infrastructure development,” Lane said.
Lane cited the signing of a $125 million infrastructure budget as one of his career highlights.
Murrieta is establishing three growth corridors: the North Murrieta Technology Corridor, Central Murrieta, and the South Murrieta Business Corridor.
Kaiser Permanente is developing a phased master planned campus on 40 acres just north of the Loma Linda University Medical Center. This area has been rezoned to Office Research Park to encourage further growth.
The growth of Rancho Springs Medical Center, the addition of Rady’s Children’s Hospital, Anthem Memory Care, HumanaHealth, Riverside Medical Clinic and Healthsource contribute to the community’s goal of becoming a regional health care hub.
Murrieta has also attracted hotel development: a Marriott Residence Inn and a CourtyaRoad by Marriott are being built on Madison Avenue across from Wal-Mart; a four-story Hampton Inn is built on Hancock on the I-215 business corridor.
Opening soon are the long-awaited Baron’s Market, the D-Town Public House and CarMax.
The Murrieta Innovation Center continues its mission of encouraging local entrepreneurship to grow technology and defense-related businesses.
“We have an opportunity – through business development and infrastructure – to grow our businesses, our community and keep our people home!”
TEMECULA
“Creating a high quality of life for our families has always been an important priority for Temecula,” said Mayor Mike Naggar, “and the stability on the City Council has been an important key.”
Naggar has also been a licensed real estate agent for 31 years and encouraged the audience of real estate professionals to get involved in the Temecula Trekkers Ambassador Program.
Temecula’s population is now 108,920 with a median age of 34. The 33,869 households average $85,839 in income. The median home sales price (November 2015) was $435,743. Temecula provides 50,600 jobs with an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent; Riverside County’s unemployment rate is 6.2 percent; California’s unemployment rate is 5.7 percent.
“Our schools are highly regaRoaded,” said Naggar, “There is no city that thrives and does well without a thriving school district.”
Great Oak, Chaparral, and Temecula Valley High Schools were all named in U.S. News and World’s report of the best public high schools in the nation.
Temecula was also named one of the top 50 cities in the U.S. to live, ranking No. 31 by 247wallst.com based on housing markets, crime rates, education, poverty and amenities.
Naggar also noted that Temecula’s Grape Drop made CNN’s list of quirky New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Temecula’s $66 million budget gets the bulk of its revenues from sales and use tax 48 percent and property tax 11 percent. Almost half supports the city’s priority on public safety; another 20 percent goes to public works.
“Temecula is once again among the top 10 safest cities in the nation,” said Naggar. “We have four firefighters and an EMT on every call. Emergency response time below five minutes is important.”
Naggar then addressed Continuous Infrastructure Improvements, “Brace yourselves – there’s going to be a lot of construction!”
The I-15 at Temecula Parkway interchange is fully funded at $50 million and construction will begin in three months. Phase I of the $200 million French Valley Parkway is completed and Phase II is being adjusted with Caltrans to develop a three phase project.
The Uptown Specific Plan has been approved for Jefferson Avenue.
The Altair Specific Plan for the 270 acres on the hills west of Old Town is under review. The project will include a four-lane Western bypass, 1500 residential units, an elementary school, a community clubhouse, parks, trails and a community clubhouse.
The Temecula Creek Inn Specific Plan is in review and includes plans for a hotel room expansion from 128 to 227 rooms, an additional 153,837 sq feet of banquet and spa facilities, 409 single-family and multifamily residential units and an 18-hole golf course.
Old Town developments include Town Square Marketplace in front of City Hall (50,000 square foot of retail, restaurants, office); a 54-room boutique hotel; 11,000 square foot expansion at historic Palomar Hotel, 7,000 square foot expansion on Old Town Front Street, and a new 14,000 sq foot building on the corner of Front Street and 4th Street.
A Hilton Home 2 Hotel plan is in review for the Business Park Zone and will be four-stories and 120 rooms.
Planned residential developments include 16 homes on the 31.86 acres on Pauba Road across from the library. Minimum lot size is 1-acre with proposed homes approximately 4,500 square foot.
Senior living residential developments include: 84 units at Highgate Senior Living on Moraga Road and Rancho California Road and a 67.146 square foot nursing and memory care center at De Portola Road and Campanula Way. A plan is in review for Generations at Linfield, a 438,500 square foot, 330-unit complex near Linfield Christian School that will have offices, day spa, health club, medical clinic, theater, chapel, library, art studio and eating areas.
The Promenade Mall is planning an expansion that includes an outdoor shopping wing and a new ring road.
“Tourism is now a $651 million industry in Temecula,” said Naggar.
Naggar noted that Mercedes-Benz had $92 million in sales its first year; Hoehn Audi will be opening up next door.
Naggar credited former Mayor Jeff Comerchero for extending the school-initiated “Because Nice Matters” program into a city-adopted “Temecula Has Heart . . . Because Nice Matters” theme and added that this year’s theme “Families First” will build upon that.
Eagles Soar Playground, built for special needs children is only one of four in the nation and is extremely popular and successful.
Naggar praised the community and its businesses for their efforts towaRoad tearing down the barriers between typical and special needs children and for their efforts to provide employment opportunities for them as adults.
“What makes Temecula strong are its families!”
LAKE ELSINORE
Former Mayor Steve Manos painted a picture of growth and re-invigoration for the oldest city in the region; Elsinore was established in 1888. It now has 60,000 residents and ranked the 18th fastest-growing city in the United States. The average age of a resident is 30.5 with a median household size of 3.4 and average household income of $74,000.
Manos reported that sales tax revenues are up 8 percent and property values are up 12.5 percent; he expects home pricing to be near pre-recession levels by the end of the year. Unemployment is down to 6.8 percent.
Manos reported that Lake Elsinore has taken advantage of lower interest rates and refinanced $138 million in Mello-Roos Community Facilities District bonds resulting in a savings of $26 million. Much of this was returned to property owners in property tax reductions and also used to fund community projects.
“Elsinore has seven major initiatives,” said Manos, “public safety, economic development, recreation, transportation, image, education and service.”
Public Safety: In the past year, Elsinore has experienced a decrease of 20 percent in violent crimes and 25 percent in overall crime.
Economic Development: The budget for Capital Improvement Projects has been increased by $21 million to $76.4 million. Six projects were completed last year; seven are scheduled for completion this year. There are 58 active projects. AccoRoading to Manos, last year’s “Pave everything” plan resulted in improvements to 25 percent of Elsinore’s roadways.
Elsinore grew by 103 businesses this past year (compared to 60, 37, 36, and 34 in each of the previous four years). They are already up to 35 new businesses this fiscal year, including Tractor Supply, O’Reilly’s, Sleep train, Dickey’s.
Ninety-five percent of their commercial space is occupied fueling the need for the 600,000 square feet of active projects, including 150,000 square feet in a new industrial park.
The Elsinore Outlet Center, one of the very first in the state, has just undergone a $6 million renovation.
Building permits issued are up by 1800 this year to 5000.
Recreation: “Great parks make great cities,” said Manos. Elsinore has 120 acres dedicated to 18 parks, including a new dog park, a second skate park and new equipment upgrades to many of the older parks. The development of Phase II of Rosetta Canyon Community Park includes a five-diamond tournament facility on 13.6 acres.
The city is also expanding its recreation opportunities by allowing swimming and towables as well as high-speed boating on the largest natural freshwater lake in southern California.
An Artists’ Village is being established in Old Town to inspire arts and culture. Old Town has also been wired with speakers and security cameras. The City hosts over 65 special events each year.
Transportation: Improvements to five major I-15 interchanges are planned to maximize fluid movement through 2035 projected traffic levels.
Image: New entryway monuments will greet travelers on the I-15 from both directions.
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