Council approves $250,000 CDBG grant agreement for El Sol recreational and wellness center phase 1

The San Bernardino City Council unanimously approved a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) agreement on Aug. 6 to support phase 1 tenant improvements for El Sol’s proposed Recreational and Wellness Center.

City staff said the $250,000 is city CDBG money allocated in the fiscal year action plan and is intended to be leverage for a larger, multi-phase project. "This project was listed in [the annual action plan]. This request is solely for approval of the agreement," staff told the council. City presentation materials for the project showed planned amenities including community rooms, a cafeteria, gymnasium, playgrounds, walking pathways and other facilities intended to serve health, wellness and recreational needs.

Supporters described the project as a public–private partnership with significant outside funding. Resident Ronald Verrado, who identified himself as living north of the site, said the council’s $250,000 will be matched by an additional $4,750,000 the nonprofit had secured, and he characterized the center as a facility that could serve more than 5,000 residents annually. "The city's investment of $250,000 in CDBG grant funds is leveraged by an additional $4,750,000 in external funding that was secured by El Sol," Verrado said during public comment. "This new center is more than just a building. It's a holistic campus designed to serve over 5,000 residents annually."

Why it matters: City staff said the center aims to address persistent health and social service gaps by providing health education, wellness programs and recreational facilities targeted at underserved populations including Latinx, Black, Asian, LGBTQIA+ and immigrant residents.

Council members asked for a concise presentation of the project scope and confirmed the funding source was listed in the city’s earlier action plan; the staff presentation included renderings of the first-phase improvements and conceptual illustrations for a two‑story campus for later phases. Staff said phase 2 would include expanded recreation elements such as outdoor courts and a community garden.

The council moved and seconded the agreement’s approval and voted unanimously to authorize execution of the CDBG recipient agreement.

Provenance (transcript evidence): topicintro: staff presentation at transcript block starting 8076.685 — "staff is recommending the CDBG agreement with El Sol for $250,000"; topicfinish: vote recorded at transcript block starting 8200.55 — "Motion passes unanimously."