Rancho Cucamonga, CA

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ocated in southwest San Bernardino County 37 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the City of Rancho Cucamonga is making a name for itself in transit-oriented development and the businesses that follow it.

Once referenced in a Jack Benny monologue and popularized in Looney Tunes cartoons between the 1930s and 1960s, Rancho Cucamonga today is a serious contender for manufacturing heavyweights seeking a more business friendly destination in Southern California with easy access to international and interstate commerce hubs. Increasingly, these companies are finding that mix of location factors in this 177,000-resident city at the heart of the white-hot Inland Empire.

Looking for validation that Rancho Cucamonga’s moment has arrived? Consider this roster of advanced manufacturers that now call this city home: Perimeter Solutions, a producer of fire retardants; Amphastar, a biopharmaceutical firm; General Micro Systems, a tech manufacturer; Kumho Tire; and Evolution Fresh, a Starbucks company. Add to that lineup Coca-Cola and Frito Lay, and you realize that no one’s underestimating Rancho Cucamonga anymore.

Far from it, corporate executives are flocking to this 46-year-old city in droves. Many are drawn by a rapidly expanding array of transportation options and how they connect to each other. Four-time-elected Mayor L. Dennis Michael perhaps said it best when he noted that “new transit options greatly facilitate this shift (of businesses choosing to locate in the city) and make it easier to get in and out of Rancho, travel locally and nationally or internationally. And it lessens the number of people who have to be dependent on cars.”

The city’s new transit options will soon include high-speed rail, a tunnel to Ontario International Airport (ONT), bus rapid transit and the new Cucamonga Station.

Multimodal Transit Options Abound

Atif Elkadi, CEO of ONT, says the airport’s partnership with Rancho Cucamonga is important because “it creates better access to the airport for their city. We consider ourselves partners with the entire region. That is why we wanted to facilitate the connection of the new Cucamonga Station to the airport. We are motivated by a desire to avoid the congestion we see happening at other airports around the country. We know that the passengers’ journeys begin when they leave home, not just when they board an airplane.”

Part of the city’s vision for decreasing congestion and improving livability is to increase the density and the various types of development in certain parts of town. “The city’s new General Plan in 2021 prioritized increased housing density and increased job density through mixed-use corridors,” says Mayor Michael. “Most of our main north-south and east-west arterials are now zoned for greater intensity.”

The mayor adds that “mixed-use development enables higher densities of people in a more compact footprint. This is attractive to retailers who look at rooftops and residential areas to determine if demand exists for new locations. Typical urban downtown development often helps attract a higher-end business, including office and service uses, which depend on the density of people in a compact location to support their use.”

At the center of the new General Plan is the HART District, a transit-oriented, mixed-use area that is bordered by Haven Avenue, Arrow Route and Rochester Avenue. The city’s goal is to enhance walkability by tying in connections to Metrolink, Omnitrans and ONT.

Live-Work-Play Comes to Life

Another leader who’s working to bring more density to this community is Jeff Bischofberger, office broker with Lee & Associates. “JRC Real Estate Investments is developing 248 apartments with 25,000 square feet of supporting commercial space in the city,” he says. “They broke ground a month ago. This project will deliver in the middle of 2025. After COVID-19, the city put together a new General Plan. They created a mixed-use district (MUD) of 9.37 acres. It is a transit-oriented development.”

Bischofberger says the city “is trying hard to get all sites being developed to work together. Employees will work in these new office buildings, live in the development, go to lunch there, use a gym facility there, and otherwise enjoy the amenities and shopping that will be available to them in one central location.”

He adds that one goal of the HART District is to draw people back into the office. “The way that companies are going to do that will be to draw workers back in through amenities,” he says. “I know this market very well. I have been working here for 20 years. The mayor and others have a great vision for the city; and they have kept true to that vision.”

Mayor Michael himself says the ultimate validation occurs when companies vote with their feet and move to the city — something he openly welcomes. “We are beginning to see a new generation of businesses looking at Rancho Cucamonga,” he says. “This includes office uses in the medical, high-tech and advanced manufacturing areas that previously would not have considered locating in a suburban community like Rancho Cucamonga.”

They are doing that now, and the council and leadership’s vision is quickly becoming a reality.

This Investment Profile was prepared under the auspices of the City of Rancho Cucamonga.

For more information, email ChooseRC@CityofRC.us. On the web, go to www.cityofrc.us/economicdevelopment.

If you're looking for some fun in the sun, California is the perfect place to be. Even if you're located inland, like in Rancho Cucamonga, you're only a short drive away from some of the best beaches in the state. From surfing and swimming to beachcombing and sunbathing, the coast has something for everyone. In this article, we'll guide you through the top three beaches near Rancho Cucamonga, providing you with their addresses, distances from the original location, unique highlights, and parking and accessibility details.

Address: 103 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Known as "Surf City USA," Huntington Beach is the closest beach to Rancho Cucamonga, making it a popular choice among locals. With almost nine miles of sandy beaches and some of the best waves in the state, it's a surfer's paradise. But even if you're not a surfer, there's plenty to do, from beach volleyball to bonfires and concerts. The beach has plenty of parking, but it can get crowded, especially during the summer months. There are also plenty of amenities, including showers, restrooms, and food vendors.

Address: 100 McFadden Pl, Newport Beach, CA 92663

If you're looking for a more upscale beach experience, Newport Beach is the place to be. The beach is known for its luxurious homes, high-end shops, and restaurants. The waves are also great for surfing, and there are plenty of other activities, such as paddleboarding and kayaking. The beach has plenty of parking, but it can be expensive, especially during peak season. There are also public restrooms and showers available.

Address: 107 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Laguna Beach is a hidden gem that's worth the extra drive. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and coves, giving it a unique, picturesque landscape. The water is crystal clear, making it perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. The beach is also home to several tide pools, where you can discover all kinds of sea creatures. Parking can be challenging, as the beach is located in a residential area. There are some paid parking lots nearby, but you can also try your luck with street parking.

If you're looking for a fun day trip or weekend getaway, these three beaches near Rancho Cucamonga are a great place to start. From the world-class waves of Huntington Beach to the scenic coves of Laguna Beach, there's something for everyone. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, snacks, and water, and be prepared for crowds, especially during peak season. But most importantly, don't forget to have fun.

Chedraui USA, a grocer that runs the El Super, Smart & Final, Fiesta Mart stores, has signed a 1.42 million-square-foot industrial lease in Southern California.

The company, formerly known as Bodega Latina, is taking the entire building called Bridge Point Rancho Cucamonga I owned by Bridge Industrial, according to a report from Savills. It’s one part of a two-building property that spans 2.2 million square feet in the Inland Empire less than one mile from the intersection of Interstates 10 and 15.

SEE ALSO: Foot Locker Signs Warehouse Pre-Lease in Los Angeles County

Bridge acquired the building at 12434 Fourth Street in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., along with a 23,240-square-foot retail building, from Big Lots for $191.1 million in 2019. The landlord used a three-year, $200 million bridge loan, according to an announcement from JLL at the time. Big Lots vacated in 2020 for a new location.

Wells Fargo (WFC) Bank provided another $230.4 million in financing for the property in June 2022, property records show.

The Inland Empire’s industrial vacancy increased 70 basis points in the second quarter to 3.8 percent, according to Savills’s report. That’s up 260 basis points over the 1.2 percent rate from one year ago. The Inland Empire also recorded negative absorption for the first time in more than two decades as the overall industrial real estate market normalizes.

Industrial rental rates have flattened and are expected to plateau while economic uncertainties persist due to increased interest rates and uneven retail sales, Savills added. Inland Empire asking rental rates increased by just 0.7 percent from last quarter to $1.44 per square foot per month, while increasing by 27.4 percent compared with one year ago.

Bridge Industrial, formerly Bridge Development Partners, announced in March that its development pipeline in Southern California and the Bay Area was at nearly 4 million square feet across 12 buildings delivering in 2023.

“Southern California and the Bay Area continue to experience some of the lowest vacancy rates in the nation, and Bridge’s current pipeline is well positioned to meet the needs of top-tier industrial users seeking modern, last-mile warehousing space,” Bridge’s Greg Woolway said in the March announcement. “Due to persistent strong market fundamentals in California, Bridge will continue to make strategic acquisitions across the state in 2023 to further grow its development pipeline and value-add investment strategy.”

Bridge has 40 buildings across 26 developments completed or under construction in California. Its current California portfolio spans 9.5 million square feet and is valued at $2.7 billion, the firm said.

Commerce, Calif.-based Chedraui USA operates 253 Smart & Final stores, 61 El Super grocery stores, three El Super Fresh stores, as well as 59 Fiesta Mart stores in five states.

Gregory Cornfield can be reached at gcornfield@commercialobserver.com.

UPDATE: This article has been updated with Chedraui USA’s current name and additional information about the company. It previously referred to the company by Bodega Latina.

Keywords: 12434 Fourth Street, Bodega Latina, Bridge Point Rancho Cucamonga I, El Super, Fiesta Mart, Greg Woolway, Industrial real estate, Inland Empire, lease, Bridge Industria, Chedraui USA, Savills, Smart & Final, Wells Fargo

Plans for high-speed rail connecting Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas are picking up speed after passing a key hurdle this month.

On July 12, the Federal Rail Administration approved the environmental review and permits for the project, which includes a 49-mile stretch of rail between Rancho Cucamonga and the High Desert.

The rail administration found no significant environmental impacts would be caused by the project, allowing Brightline West, the company building the rail line, to start the construction process on the segment connecting Rancho Cucamonga to Hesperia and eventually Las Vegas.

The administration’s finding “confirms the environmental benefits of the project extending into Greater Los Angeles at Rancho Cucamonga,” Sarah Watterson, Brightline West’s president, said in a statement. “Having permits and right of way are typically the highest barriers to success for large scale infrastructure developments, and Brightline West’s tremendous progress here signifies why we are moving towards a ground-break later this year.”

Once completed, the high-speed rail will run 218 miles along the 15 Freeway at speeds reaching up to 200 mph, according to Rancho Cucamonga city officials.

The city said that during the construction period the project would support more than 11,000 jobs a year and bring $5 billion in spending to San Bernardino County and $300 million to Rancho Cucamonga.

The project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 400,000 tons annually and is predicted to see more than 11,000 passengers come through Cucamonga Station, the city’s multi-modal transit station, each year.

The train will be fully electric, powered by overhead electric lines, according to the rail administration’s website. The administration said the trains are expected to arrive in 60-minute intervals at the Victor Valley and Cucamonga stations, the latter offering connections to existing Metrolink service. The trip between Victor Valley and Rancho Cucamonga is expected to take about 35 minutes.

According to city officials, Brightline expects to break ground on the project by the end of 2023. The line is expected to be in operation by 2027 in time for the 2028 Olympics taking place in Los Angeles.

Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, a West Coast and Midwest bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola beverages, plans to invest $500 million to demolish a single-building distribution center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and replace it with a 620,000-square-foot manufacturing campus with full production capabilities.

The current 125,000-square-foot facility at 10670 6th St. was built in 1984 and is limited to distribution operations. The new facility, which will become a flagship property within RCCB and the Coca-Cola system, will be the first Coca-Cola production facility built in California in nearly 60 years. The Rancho Cucamonga campus will be the fourth manufacturing location in California for RCCB. The other locations are in Los Angeles, Downey and San Leandro.

What’s next

During construction, operations will relocate to a temporary facility in Fontana, Calif.

When completed, the expansion is expected to create new jobs, contributing to the economic development in the region and strengthening the local workforce.

The project is being designed with safety and sustainability as top priorities. The newly constructed bottling and distribution center will include added employee amenities such as expanded break rooms, training rooms, a parking garage with EV charging stations, tour gallery, fleet shop and recycling center. Plans call for maximizing efficiencies around energy and water use, including installing drought-resistant landscaping.

READ ALSO: Industrial Amenities Are Important, Too

Image courtesy of Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling

The expansion project is in the development and environmental impact review process and will come before the City Planning Commission and City Council at a future time. If plans are approved, construction could begin as soon as 2024 and operations could begin by the summer of 2026.

In addition to California, RCCB operates across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The company manufactures and delivers more than 40 brands to restaurants, sports venues, businesses, health-care facilities, schools, convenience stores and supermarkets. RCCB currently operates 27 facilities in California and has 5,500 employees in the state.

Another Coca-Cola expansion

RCCB isn’t the only Coca-Cola bottler and distributor expanding with a new industrial project. In December 2022, Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co. based in Lenexa Kan., received approval of a preliminary site plan for a 1.2 million-square-foot production campus in Olathe, Kan., from the city’s Planning Commission. Heartland had closed on the 116-acre development site 25 miles southwest of Kansas City in September 2022. The company’s plans call for a production, warehouse and office complex to be built in two phases and be completed by the summer of 2024.