Beaumont’s “Bridge to Nowhere” may finally lead somewhere after a divided City Council voted to move forward with the long-delayed Potrero interchange project.
The council voted 3-2 Tuesday, Aug. 16, with Mark Orozco, Brenda Knight and Della Condon in favor and Mike Lara and Lloyd White opposed.
Plans are to build an interchange at Potrero Boulevard and Western Knolls Avenue and a six-lane bridge over the 60 Freeway. Construction is expected to open up development possibilities for more than 2,000 acres of mostly empty land.
“This project is so important for Beaumont,” interim City Manager Richard Warne said. “Beaumont needs this.”
The project, on which Beaumont has already spent $11 million, has long been dormant – thus the nickname.
The money went to Urban Logic, the consulting firm in the eye of the corruption case in which seven former city officials face felony charges, accused of misusing city funds.
Earlier in the meeting, Warne told the council the decision would be one of the most important ones they will ever make. He said the project will not cost the city any more money, with grants and developers covering the $60 million price tag.
Proponents spoke of how the interchange, near where the 10 and 60 freeways merge, will open up development opportunities, bring in $9 million in sales tax revenue at build out and create thousands of jobs.
They also said by voting against the project, Beaumont would forfeit millions of dollars in county and federal grants already earmarked for the projects – plus get nothing from the $11 million that has been spent over the past decade.
Condon said there were two choices: “We can give back all that money, or we can build the Potrero project and have all the money given back to us,” she said.
Condon said she would never vote for new taxes to solve the city’s financial crisis, and having open land that can be developed is a benefit for the city.
Lara and White praised the project, but said the timing isn’t right in light of Beaumont’s financial issues.
“This is not about growth, this is about getting our financial position back in order before we start writing large checks,” White said. “We do not have the cash flow for this project. It’s being rushed through.”
Construction of the $2.23 million first phase of the two-phase project could begin in spring and be completed in 2018, but it could be 25 years before the land is built out with businesses, warehouses and homes.
“It does present new opportunities and new access the city doesn’t have today,” said Michael Busch, a consultant hired to help the city improve its financial situation. “Clearly this will create jobs for the region. This could be a project where everybody wins if all the pieces come together. But make no mistake; it’s going to take time.”
Almost two dozen people spoke about the project. Most were in favor, but many of those could profit as a property owner, developer or potential worker.
“This solves a lot of problems for the city and creates a lot of benefits,” said Peter Helfrich, a property owner in the area. “When you look at the duress the city has gone through and is going through, this is a lifeline.”
The few opposed, such as frequent council critic Nancy Hall, questioned how the project could move forward when there are few emergency services on that side of the city. Others said the money for the interchange would be better spent on other city issues, such as road repairs.
They were told the grants could only be used for that project and would be forfeited if it isn’t built.