Fontana is 'the place to be'

Mayor's gala raises money for library and celebrates city's growth, potential

Article Date: 4/1/2007

By Leonor Vivanco, San Bernardino County Sun

FONTANA - Take a look around the community right now. Fontana is home to 180,000 people, including those annexed to the second-largest city in the count. 

Under construction downtown is a $60 million regional library now named the Lewis Library and Technology Center after the Lewis Group of Companies donated $5 million to the project.  

A park just as expensive is being built at Summit and Lytle Creek avenues so those who dream of becoming Olympic swimmers can practice in the 14-lane competition aquatics center. Both are slated to open next year.  

Fontana is investing more than $200 million in its infrastructure.  

"If you are a new resident looking for a tremendous quality of life, you're in the right place. If you are a business looking to relocate your operations, you've come to the right home ... Right now, Fontana is the place to be," Mayor Mark Nuaimi said in his State of the City address Saturday night. The speech's theme was "Right Now."  

Residents have noticed how much Fontana has changed.  

"The city's going in the right direction. The mayor and City Council are really focused to bring the city to a point where it's noticed in the Inland Empire," said Anastacio Lozada, 65, at the black-tie event at the Paul Biane Sports Pavilion. He's lived Fontana since 1964.  

"It's going to be a city everyone will enjoy to live in," he said.  

In the past year, major businesses, including Costco, have opened their doors. Rotolo Chevrolet has relocated to the Fontana Auto Center. A new post office is handling mail.  

"When I look around Fontana today, I see so many seeds that have been planted - seeds of opportunity for our community," the mayor said.  

There's only more to come for the city and more opportunities along Interstate 210, dubbed Miracle Mile, Nuaimi said. The city might even get its own events center, he hinted. The city is working with the county to promote economic development in the areas surrounding California Speedway. Such restaurants as Elephant Bar, Outback Steakhouse and Black Angus are considering locations in Fontana, Nuaimi said.  

A Cypress Avenue overpass on Interstate 10 is set to break ground at the end of the year. The city is working on moving forward with more freeway improvements.  

"We're investing in more than simply buildings and facilities. We're investing in the lives of our children," Nuaimi said.  

This coming year, more children will be able to participate in after-school programs with homework assistance and nutrition tips.  

Fontana has been able to expand programs and services because of its strong budget and economy.  

Much construction is occurring in the north end of town,and the sales tax generated there helps pay for services used by residents throughout the city, Nuaimi said.  

Next year, sales tax is expected to grow by $4 million for a projected $29 million, he said.  

Millie Henson, 81, said residents of other cities are envious of Fontana.  

"We don't have the crime some other cities have," said Henson, who has lived here since 1944.  

"With the library going in and the refacing of some of the stores, it's amazing," she said.  

"I'm real proud of it."  

But the city is not without its challenges. Among them is the bitter fight to lower water rates. The city is battling the Fontana Water Company before the state Public Utilities Commission and expects a decision on April 12.  

The proceeds from the fifth mayor's gala will benefit the library. Past galas have raised more than $350,000 for activities ranging from the performing arts to teen programming.  

The city is halfway to its goal of raising $20 million for the new library. One significant chunk - $1.5 million - came from Young Homes.

Officials want to name the 300-seat auditorium Steelworker Hall in honor of the workers at the Kaiser Steel plant that used to be in the city.