Construction begins on mixed-use development in Packing House District

REDLANDS, Calif. — Construction is underway on a long-anticipated mixed-use development at the northeast corner of Eureka Street and Stuart Avenue, marking a major step forward in the city’s push for transit-oriented housing near its downtown rail station.

Heavy equipment is now moving dirt on the roughly 3-acre site, where an 85-unit apartment complex with ground-floor commercial space is planned. The project, located less than a block from the Downtown Redlands train station, was approved by the Planning Commission in April 2025.

Photos taken this week show grading activity across the fenced site, with large earthmovers reshaping the lot and preparing foundations. The property, previously vacant, sits at a prominent downtown intersection and is one of the first major developments tied to the city’s Transit Villages Specific Plan.

City leaders have said the plan is designed to encourage higher-density housing near transit stops, reduce reliance on cars and create more walkable neighborhoods.

The three-story development, proposed by Balboa Park Properties LLC and designed by Brooks + Scarpa, will include apartments, nearly 7,000 square feet of commercial space and public pedestrian pathways connecting surrounding streets.

During earlier public hearings, supporters said the project would help address Redlands’ housing shortage, particularly near transit.

The project also drew concerns from nearby residents about parking and traffic impacts. While state law does not require parking due to the site’s proximity to transit, the developer plans to include 51 covered parking spaces.

As construction progresses, the development is expected to transform a highly visible corner of downtown into a denser residential and commercial hub, though a timeline for completion has not been publicly announced.