5 Redlands City Hall issues to watch heading into fall

With the Redlands City Council on recess, we're taking a look back at some of the biggest decisions and ongoing issues we've been following at City Hall this year.

If you're one of the hundreds of readers who recently joined Community Forward Redlands, consider this your catch-up guide.

From a major investment in a new police station to questions about fire staffing, warehouse development and the city's response to homelessness, here are five City Hall issues to watch as Redlands heads into fall.

A new police station takes shape

One of Redlands' largest infrastructure investments is officially under construction at the former Kmart property on Redlands Boulevard.

In July, the City Council approved $49.7 million in Phase II construction contracts for the roughly 60,000-square-foot police station, which will consolidate police department operations currently spread across four facilities into a single headquarters.

The project is expected to cost about $78 million, funded through a combination of city financing, reserves and development impact fees. Demolition of the former Kmart this summer marked a visible milestone for a project the city has been planning for years.

Construction of the new police station will remain a major City Hall story as the project moves toward completion.

Catch up: Redlands approves $49.7 million in construction contracts for new police station

Fire calls keep climbing as staffing remains unchanged

Redlands firefighters are responding to more emergency calls than ever before as new housing and commercial development adds pressure to a fire department that has maintained roughly the same frontline staffing since the 2000s.

Our reporting this spring found the department was on pace to handle nearly 12,000 calls in 2026, with 19 firefighters assigned to daily emergency response operations across four stations. The department meets its five-minute response-time goal about 70% of the time, with overlapping calls and gaps in coverage creating particular challenges as development expands across north Redlands.

City officials have discussed adding two fire stations and additional firefighters, but the cost remains a major hurdle. The City Council's new two-year budget advances the long-planned replacement of Fire Station No. 264 but does not fund additional frontline staffing.

How — and when — Redlands expands fire coverage as the city continues to grow remains a major issue to watch.

Catch up: Redlands fire calls rise as staffing remains largely unchanged

Redlands City Council to consider warehouse ban

After months of debate over warehouse development, a proposed ban on new warehouses is headed to the Redlands City Council for a decision.

The Planning Commission voted in May to recommend the ban with several revisions, including changes that would give existing warehouse operators more flexibility to expand truck docks and building heights.

The City Council postponed consideration of the proposal until September so the full council could be present, putting warehouse policy among the major land-use decisions awaiting council members when they return from recess.

Catch up: Redlands planners advance warehouse ban with industry-backed revisions

Redlands plans for parks, infrastructure and growth

As Redlands continues to grow, city leaders are making plans for the parks and infrastructure needed to serve residents in the years ahead.

In June, the City Council adopted the city's first Parks Master Plan, laying out long-term priorities for Redlands' park system. Community input collected during the planning process showed strong interest in splash pads and other water features, playgrounds, shade, trails and improved accessibility.

The council also adopted a two-year budget and authorized up to $85 million in financing for major infrastructure projects, including the new police station, relocation of Fire Station 264 and library improvements.

How Redlands pays for infrastructure and public services while accommodating continued growth will remain a key issue to watch.

Catch up: Redlands residents want splash pads, shade and playgrounds

Also: Redlands approves budget, up to $85M for infrastructure

Redlands works to preserve supportive housing

The city's efforts to preserve permanent supportive housing took a significant turn this summer after the developer behind the former Good Nite Inn project defaulted on its contractual obligations.

The property, which opened as permanent supportive housing in 2023, continues to provide housing and services to people experiencing homelessness. In July, the City Council approved the formation of the Redlands Housing Corporation, a nonprofit that could eventually acquire and operate the property as the city works with state and county partners on a long-term ownership solution.

The decision comes as Redlands' overall homeless count has fallen for three consecutive years while the number of people living unsheltered in the city increased in the latest count.

What happens next with the property will be important to follow this fall.

Catch up: Redlands approves nonprofit to pursue ownership of former Good Nite Inn supportive housing property