Council awards $1.32 million project‑management contract to JLL for Stark site planning

The City Council unanimously awarded a professional services agreement to Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. (JLL) to provide land acquisition, development and project‑management services for the former Herman G. Stark (Youth Authority) property on Euclid Avenue.

Assistant City Manager Jackie Melendez presented the item and described the site as a roughly 200‑acre opportunity within the Euclid Avenue corridor that city leaders and staff are pursuing for a multi‑use redevelopment that could include housing, agriculture, public uses and destination retail. The contract recommended to council caps professional services spending at $1,320,000 over four years and covers four major consulting buckets: community alignment and envisioning; feasibility and market analysis; financial structuring and funding strategy; and RFP/master developer selection.

JLL and partner Stan Tech described their proposed community engagement approach and expertise in developing projects that incorporate agricultural uses, farm‑to‑table programming and public education. Assistant City Manager Melendez and Economic Development Manager Renisha Perry will serve as the city’s project leads.

Motion and vote: Councilmember Don Lucio moved to award the agreement; Mayor Pro Tem Burton seconded. The vote was unanimous. Councilmembers emphasized the need for strong neighbor engagement and coordination with the San Bernardino County Airport Authority on flight‑path and land‑use constraints highlighted by residents.

Staff noted that the state will not convey the land to the city for free; development uses and the mix of uses the council selects will influence the land price and required financing strategy. The agreement is intended to help the city define a development program and then select a master developer via competitive solicitation.