Redlands approves deal to preserve downtown parking during mall redevelopment

REDLANDS, Calif — The Redlands City Council unanimously approved a plan on April 7 to preserve hundreds of key downtown parking spaces as the long-vacant Redlands Mall site prepares for demolition and redevelopment.

Why it matters: The Redlands Mall parking lot has played a critical role in providing downtown parking. Maintaining access helps ease pressure on nearby businesses, supports major community events and addresses persistent concerns about parking availability.

Details: In a unanimous vote, Council approved a parking license agreement with Town Square Development Group, LLC, the property’s new owner.

The agreement allows the city to continue offering public access to approximately 520 parking spaces on the mall site during the early phases of demolition and redevelopment.

In exchange, the city will pay about $29,084 per month — roughly $349,008 annually — to lease the spaces. The agreement runs through April 2029 but can be terminated earlier by either party.

Key terms include:

• Construction flexibility: The developer can close portions of the lot with 10 days’ notice, reimbursing the city $2 per space per day for lost access
• City responsibilities: Maintenance, security, cleaning and insurance
• Developer responsibilities: Landscaping, utilities, structural repairs and accessibility upgrades

The lot will be used in its current condition, with the city assuming liability for its use except in cases of owner negligence.

Zoom out: Parking has long been a concern in downtown Redlands. A city-commissioned study found nearly 5,000 spaces in the broader area, but demand is concentrated near popular corridors like State Street, creating a perception of scarcity.

To address this, the city has increased enforcement of time-limited parking zones, worked to improve signage and encouraged use of underutilized parking areas

The mall lot remains especially important during large events, including the Redlands Bicycle Classic, the Kiwanis Christmas Parade and events at the Redlands Bowl.

Moving forward: The newly approved agreement provides a short-term solution as the mall property transitions toward redevelopment.

City officials are also exploring new parking options, including a potential 140-space lot near the Arrow rail line in partnership with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.