W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD
Vol 21, NO. 40
June 29 , 2023
Rialto City Council Making Claims and Refuting Allegations Over C o n t r o v e r s i a l Wa r e h o u s e A p p r o v a l N e i g h b o r i n g F r i s b i e P a r k
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PHOTOS CITY OF RIALTO
First-Gen College Graduate Jorge Villegas Ruiz Overcomes Language Barriers to Pg. 4 Achieve Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Pg. 5
Mayor Pro Tem Andy Carrizales, Mayor Deborah Robertson, Councilmember Rafael Trujillo, and Councilmember Joe Baca are currently serving the City of Rialto.
By Manny Sandoval
T
he City of Rialto has become a battleground over a contentious warehouse project approved by the City Council in a narrow 32 vote on April 25th. The proposed warehouse, planned for
the intersection of Pepper Avenue and the 210 freeway, is an area initially zoned for retail, commercial, and housing. However, the contentious approval has ignited allegations of conflict of interest, health hazards, and misuse of zoning laws. The voices from the City
Council are echoing across the community with increasing intensity as the drama unfolds. Councilmember Joe Baca is leading the opposition, arguing that the warehouse will create hazardous health conditions in the area, particularly concerning the recently renovated and
neighboring Frisbie Park, and increase the city's maintenance cost due to the wear and tear from increased trucking. "After city staff investigated all aspects of the industrial project, our planning commission recommended against it and said City News, cont. on next pg.
R e a l i c o r e R e a l E s t a t e Tu r n s D o z e n s o f E m p t y B u i l d i n g s I n t o O p e r a t i n g B u s i n e s s e s i n D o w n t o w n S a n B e r n a r d i n o , E l e v a t i n g Wa l k a b i l i t y
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PHOTOS REALICORE
Father and son, Co-founders of Realicore Real Estate Group David Friedman and Howard Friedman (center) cutting the ribbon on their downtown San Bernardino office; which is located at 395 N E St Ste. 104, San Bernardino.
By Manny Sandoval
N
estled in the heart of downtown San Bernardino, the locally owned and highly respected Realicore Real Estate Group has contributed significantly to the city's rejuvenation since its establishment six years ago. David Friedman, the charismatic cofounder, CEO, licensed broker, and CSUSB alumnus is leading the charge towards urban renewal, and he has a lot to say about it.
"We started by flipping houses in 2011, but it soon became mundane, and the industry became saturated after HGTV popularized the idea," recalled Friedman, whose family is all CSUSB alumni. "We saw the writing on the wall and decided to invest in our city and be part of downtown revitalization."
The fall of Norton Air Force Base, the city's bankruptcy, and lousy leadership deterred many investors, but not Friedman and his co-founding father, Howard
Friedman. They've weathered through the challenges and used them as stepping stones to build a successful business.
"San Bernardino needed attention, particularly the commercial buildings that were left derelict," he said. "Many people have and still complain about the lack of public transportation (which is important), but I say we need to navigate towards creating a walkable community to generate engagement, which will help local businesses Realicore, cont. on next pg.