development patterns toward dense, walkable urban environments. The strategy rests on five core principles: designing for people first, providing connectivity and accessibility, creating destinations, establishing Rancho Cucamonga as the cultural and economic hub of the Inland Empire, and addressing environmental justice. These aren’t mere talking points. INLAND EMPIRE’S RAPID EXPANSION The numbers tell a remarkable story about where Americans are choosing to live and work. While Los Angeles and Orange counties lost 175,913 residents in 2021, the Inland Empire added 47,601 people, making it the fifth-largest population gain among the nation’s 50 biggest metro areas. By 2048, demographers project the region will house more than 5 million people, growing twice as fast as the rest of Southern California. This isn’t just suburban sprawl finding new territory. The Inland Empire covers 27,000 square miles across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, an area roughly the size of South Carolina. Riverside County alone added 13,798 residents in 2023, the largest numerical gain among all counties with populations exceeding one million. The region’s appeal lies in housing costs that run about half the price of coastal counties, while still offering access to Southern California’s economic opportunities. Marquez places Rancho Cucamonga squarely within this regional growth story. “The Inland Empire as a region is massive, not only based on population, but on square miles,” he says.“When you learn about the Inland Empire being expected to grow faster or twice as fast as the rest of Southern California over the next 25 years, it lends even more to the importance of getting the infrastructure right.” Migration patterns align with economic shifts. Remote work has reduced the penalty of longer commutes, while rising coastal housing costs have pushed families eastward. Paul Granillo, president of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, sees the challenge ahead: making the region attractive for the 5 million-plus residents it will soon house, complete with major league sports teams and amenities that match its world-famous music festivals. BRIGHTLINE WEST AND CONNECTED INFRASTRUCTURE High-speed rail has struggled to gain traction in America, but one project is bucking the trend. Brightline West officially broke ground in Las Vegas in April 2024 with $3 billion in federal funding, making it the nation’s first true high-speed passenger rail system.The 218-mile route will connect Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga in just over two hours, running 183 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA
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