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Ontario leaders outline downtown revival, $200 million transit push and housing plans
Summary
City officials presented a broad plan to accelerate downtown redevelopment, build transit connections and use Measure Q funds for infrastructure, homelessness services and workforce housing, while highlighting the airport and new industrial projects as job drivers.
A city official said the City of Ontario is moving quickly to reshape its downtown and regional infrastructure, announcing plans for new mixed‑use housing, a large transit investment and expanded services for residents experiencing homelessness.
The plan, described during a public event, centers on downtown revitalization and public‑private partnerships that city leaders say will create retail, housing and entertainment options. "We're actually making a huge investment, about $200,000,000 in our city to build this," a city official said, referring to the West Valley Connector bus rapid transit project that will link the downtown, the arena, the airport and regional transit hubs.
Why it matters: The city framed the work as a coordinated strategy to retain residents and attract businesses — combining housing, transit and amenities to support the area's status as a logistics and entertainment hub.
Officials highlighted specific projects and outcomes. They said a new C Block parking structure will add more than 400 spaces as part of a mixed‑use development; additional downtown projects are expected to add more than 600 residential units and nearly 13,000 square feet of retail. On housing, the city pointed to Ontario Ranch as a major growth area, forecasting thousands of units and new parks tied to long‑range plans.
The city also discussed Measure Q, the 1% sales tax measure, as a funding source for roads, sidewalks, water and public safety. "Measure Q is for you," a city official said, and city remarks included a specific use: the purchase and planned retrofit of a motel to provide continuum‑of‑care services — showers, laundry, counseling and medical space — with plans to offer up to 177 units for very low‑income households at full build‑out.
Airport and logistics were prominent themes. A speaker described Ontario International Airport's recent growth, new airline service and cargo expansion, and officials pointed to a planned 4,300,000‑square‑foot HUB adjacent to the airport with anticipated completion in 2025. City remarks emphasized the region's logistics employment and industrial footprint as engines for local economic output and labor income.
Officials noted timelines for several projects: some industrial developments and airport‑adjacent projects aim for 2025 completion, while hospitality and convention center expansions are being planned to come online ahead of future regional events. The address closed with a call to continue partnerships among residents, businesses and the city to realize the downtown vision.
Next steps: city leaders said property acquisitions and design work are underway for the transit corridor and downtown projects; officials expect phased construction and additional public updates as projects advance.
