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Downtown owners offer 130‑room dorm to shelter fire victims; ask city to expedite permits and inspections
Summary
Property owners and local supporters told the council they are prepared to temporarily house people displaced by recent Southern California fires in a downtown dorm building and asked the city to speed permitting, inspection and utility approvals.
Several downtown property owners and community supporters told the San Bernardino City Council during public comment that they have a 130‑room dormitory near the old Fox Theatre that could be used to shelter people displaced by recent fires in Los Angeles County.
Speakers at the meeting, including local businessman Al Palazzo and two property representatives identified in the meeting as Mr. Lee and Amy, described the building as having roughly 130 rooms and in‑room bathrooms; they said it could accommodate two to four people per room and could be renovated within weeks by local contractors. The speakers asked for city assistance with permitting, inspection schedules, electrical utility approvals and any temporary licensing needed to house evacuees.
Al Palazzo framed the offer as a private‑sector effort to help neighbors in need, saying the owners plan to employ local workers for renovations and to offer short‑term lodging for people who lost homes in recent fires. One speaker said the owners could finish work “in three months” and sought city coordination on building permits, Edison inspections and occupancy approvals so the site could be used for two‑ to 18‑month stays while survivors recover and rebuild.
City staff did not take formal action at the meeting; several councilmembers and staff acknowledged the offer and said they would direct appropriate departments to follow up. Property representatives were advised to work with the planning, building and fire departments and to provide documentation showing the scope and timeline so staff can evaluate any temporary use, health and safety requirements, and whether the site could be used under the city’s existing code or whether an emergency or temporary authorization would be needed.
Ending: Owners and downtown advocates said they will continue working with city staff on permitting and inspections; the council did not vote on any temporary use permits during the meeting.
