The city of San Bernardino has unveiled plans to reopen a historic downtown street alley as part of its broader initiative to invest in public safety and renovating streets.<\/p>\n
Sole Alley, once known as Fourth Street Alley, was a creative space for artists to shoot music videos and shows. But over the decades, the alley was forgotten. Now, it\u2019s being revamped as part of a $750,000 state-funded effort to help rejuvenate the area, according to councilman Theodore Sanchez.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to build transit and housing. We need people to live downtown with disposable income,\u201d Sanchez said. \u201cPeople who are going to frequent businesses and we are working with developers to build on the 43-acre blank canvas that we have in San Bernardino that used to be the carousel mall property.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gustavo Mena, a shop owner celebrating his fifth year in the city, said the limited number of operating businesses downtown has made it challenging after he took a risk to open there. But he hopes the alley’s reopening will inspire others to do the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people said, \u2018Don\u2019t do it in San Bernardino – do it in Redlands or Riverside.\u2019 They say it\u2019s a safer way, but what\u2019s the point in that? Because then nothing will ever open in San Bernardino,\u201d Mena said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
City officials said they are investing millions in public safety and street improvements after the city\u2019s 2021 bankruptcy<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n