Apple Valley is situated in the Victor Valley, and lies north of Victorville. Apple Valley occupies a land area of 78 square miles. Apple Valley incorporated in 1988, and became the Town of Apple Valley. According to Apple Valley Councilman Bob Sagona, the designation of “Town” was adopted, instead of “City,” in order to emphasize the rural character of Apple Valley. In Apple Valley the minimum residential lot size is one-half acre, and many homes are situated on a full acre or larger. Compare that with the typical nice home in San Diego, Los Angeles, or Orange County, which sits on a lot averaging less than 1/5th of an acre. 70% of the Apple Valley’s homes are owner occupied. It is the premier executive housing area of the region. Apple Valley prides itself in magnificent homes with breathtaking views.

 

Click here to see Apple Valley Video! According to the Southern California Association of Governments, Apple Valley’s current population of about 70,000 residents is projected to climb to 95,000, which represents an increase of about 36%. Apple Valley has plans to one day expand from its current geographical area of 78 square miles to 130 square miles. Apple Valley is a pro growth town that permits fast track development approval in just 120 days, as part of its dynamic development plan.

 

Apple Valley offers many homes in prestige guard-gated communities such as in Quail Valley Estates and the Jess Ranch. With the emergence of the Southern California Logistics Airport to the Victor Valley and the presence of global billion-dollar companies like Boeing, General Electric, Pasha Group, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Pratt & Whitney, the need for executive housing for upper level management in Apple Valley will become very significant.

 

 

The Jess Ranch Residential Development is situated on 1400 acres and features a guard- gated community with an 18-hole golf course and nice lake amenities. The Apple Valley Country Club is an upscale private Golf Country Club, which has some gorgeous homes right on the Course.

 

 

 

As to education, the Apple Valley Unified School District is a leader in technology and academic excellence. The District currently has nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. The recent completion of the 180,000 square foot Granite Hills High School is a significant development. It is an upscale, modern, technologically advanced high school that can boast of having over 2000 students and having its very own performing arts center. Granite Hills High School could serve as a catalyst for increased residential development surrounding the High School. In addition, The Lewis Center for Educational Research in Apple Valley is a California Golden Bell-Award-Winning and nationally recognized model of science education. This School is proud to have a NASA affiliated complex that includes a research-quality observatory and a T-40 jet flight simulator.

 

In the area of health care, Apple Valley is the home of the largest medical community in the Victor Valley. As you drive into Apple Valley, you cannot help but notice the impressive St. Mary Regional Medical Center on Highway 18. The recent $40 million expansion provided advanced levels of service in cardiology, radiology, surgery, emergency care and patient care. Apple Valley also can take pride in the state of the art Apple Valley Radiology and Oncology Center. Apple Valley has emerged as the leader in advanced health care from pediatric to radiology to neurosurgery. It is understandable that the doctors and surgeons who practice in Apple Valley would appreciate the upscale executive housing options available to them.

 

As part of its efforts to attract commercial and industrial companies and create new jobs, the Town of Apple Valley has created two redevelopment project areas totaling 16,000 acres. The Town's efforts have paid off, because as you drive down Highway 18, you see a hotbed of commercial activity, including major shopping centers and malls that are home to Wal-Mart, Lucky/Sav-On, Subway, Hollywood Video, Ralphs/Hughes, Longs Drugs, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, Target, Albertson's, Rite-Aid and many others.

 

 

Apple Valley has leaped into the 21st century with its new $3.9 million Town Hall, consisting of a 25,000 square foot state of the art facility, including a $96,000 multimedia system for broadcasting public meetings over cable and the Internet. The Council Chambers will have a 159 seats equipped with 20 speakers, special units for the hearing impaired, including cameras for recording and broadcasting the meetings on televisions and computer monitors throughout the building. The Town has a five-year plan to construct a Civic Center area with a 19,500 square foot library, a 13000 square foot police station and a 22-acre park and recreation area.

 

The Apple Valley Airport is part of the San Bernardino County Airport System, and is considered the "gem" of the entire System. This Airport is a general aviation airport with a 6500-foot runway that has the capacity to handle DC-9's, Boeing 727's, corporate jets, and helicopters. In addition, a 4500-foot crosswind runway was recently completed. According to Bill Ingraham, the Director of Airports for the San Bernardino County Airport System, there is a new law enforcement facility for the California Highway Patrol and the San Bernardino County Sheriff, which is located immediately to the south of the Apple Valley Airport’s terminal building parking lot. Professional Land Corporation has strategically located, already zoned industrial land parcels in the area surrounding the Apple Valley Airport.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, February 25, 2010, manufacturers looking to position themselves for an economic recovery are looking to locate their operations in Apple Valley. The Boyd Company is a New Jersey based consulting firm that advises businesses on where they should locate. They ranked Apple Valley among the Top 45 small market U.S. cities in a recently released cost-comparison report. Apple Valley placed 32nd in the study. Many company executives have shopped around during the economic downturn and see a bargain in the Victor Valley, Boyd said.

The Boyd Company is based in Princeton, N.J. and counts Hewlett-Packard, Honda Motor Company of America and Verizon Wireless among its clients, conducts similar studies every 18 months or so as a routine part of its business, Boyd said. Several of the firm's clients are specifically interested in the Victor Valley in general, Apple Valley in particular. Boyd said he met with two on Wednesday morning, though he would not identify them.

Apple Valley has worked hard to position itself for an inevitable economic comeback, streamlining its permitting process and pushing for completion of a large industrial complex on the north side of town in the area surrounding the Apple Valley Airport and the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Henderson said. He went on to say that he wants the North Apple Valley Industrial Specific Plan completed by the end of this year. "It's excellent news," Apple Valley Representative Henderson said. "I couldn't be happier." While Boyd said the two have not talked, he and Henderson seem to be of the same mind when it comes to industries the town should attract. Boyd sees the area ripe for green production facilities because of state and federal subsidies, while aerospace and high-end automotive parts manufacturers would also makes good fits. Interestingly, Henderson recently attended a medical industry trade show where he met with several medical device manufacturers. Without mentioning names he received what he called three or four "very promising leads". Boyd, incidentally, said a medical device manufacturer would also be an excellent match for Apple Valley.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, January 18, 2010, Wal-Mart has installed its largest solar project to date at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in north Apple Valley. More than 5,300 ground-mounted solar panels now cover a seven-acre field near the facility's Johnson Road site. The panels will supply one megawatt of power, or enough to meet roughly 20 percent of energy demands from the 1.3 million-square-foot distribution center." They aren't just talking about being a more sustainable company, they're acting on it," said Apple Valley Councilwoman Ginger Coleman, in response to the news. The Apple Valley site is part of a pilot project Wal-Mart first announced in May 2007 to purchase solar power systems for up to 22 Wal-Mart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers in California and Hawaii. The goal is for Wal-Mart's massive national chain of stores to eventually be powered completely by renewable energy sources, with plans to have added solar installations at up to 20 additional California sites by this fall.

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, February 25, 2010, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union cut the ribbon for the grand opening of its new branch in Jess Ranch on Thursday morning. The opening of the new branch at 19111 Town Center Drive is only the latest, certainly not the last, for Alaska USA, credit union officials told a gathering of about 50 community and business leaders." We've evaluated the market (in the Victor Valley) and we feel that it's a good way for us to expand in the future," Geoff Lundfelt, senior vice president of branch administration said.

 

 

 

 

According to the Victorville Daily Press, October 8, 2009, in spite of the poor economy and the housing slump, Del Webb Sun City in Apple Valley is saying it is the right time to buy. The home builder is opening six new models with prices starting at $170,000. Sizes range from 1,099 to 2,076 square feet, with up to three bedrooms for the 55-plus market.

 

 

 

 

Apple Valley to get new Civic Center in 2008

According to the Victorville Daily Press, October 15, 2008, a new civic center is in the works in Apple Valley, thanks to the prodding of the new town manager.” As a fresh set of eyes, and coming from a community that possesses facilities that allow small gatherings all the way up to major conventions, it immediately became clear to me that the lack of civic meeting space is a void in our community ...” said Town Manager Frank Robinson. When looking over the planned Town Hall expansion, Robinson decided to seize the opportunity to fill this void, at least until a formal conference and convention center can be financed and built.

The Town Council appropriated $148,800 from bond proceeds for design costs during Tuesday’s council meeting. The meeting space was proposed during the early planning stages of the expansion, but planning staff figured it wasn’t doable when they were quoted $450 a square foot, or nearly $2.8 million for the 6,200-square-foot facility. Now Robinson said the town is able to take advantage of the current construction market to build for closer to $300 a square foot, or about $1.8 million total. Robinson has requested an aggressive completion schedule for the project. Plans are being drafted by Dougherty and Dougherty Architects of Costa Mesa, who have promised that construction drawings will be ready for review within 45 days.

The space will include a 5,200-square-foot community room divisible with a folding partition, a 1,000-square-foot air-conditioned lobby and a covered outdoor corridor. It will accommodate up to 300 people for dining and 400 for regular seating. Once plans are approved the facility will go to bid for construction, and the Town Council will be able to move forward if council members choose.

 

 

Billion Dollar companies assemble large land parcels around the Apple Valley Airport

We have been following the progress of Watson Land Company and First Industrial Trust. They are big industrial developers and they have been assembling land parcels around the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Apple Valley. These guys develop huge projects and are looking for tenants for their Apple Valley projects. Developers see gold in High Desert dirt, as a haven for logistics companies seeking wide open spaces near a redeveloped air base, freeways and rail lines. With its eye on the rapidly diminishing supply of open space elsewhere in the Inland Empire, Watson Land Company in Carson made its first foray into the High Desert with the purchase of 160 acres in Apple Valley. The company bought the acreage from nine property owners last year and earlier this year. Watson is assembling additional parcels and expects to eventually own upward of 250 acres near the existing Wal-Mart distribution center and Interstate 15, said Craig Halverson, Watson vice president of Acquisitions. The Company will build and lease about 2 million square feet of space on the land, according to the Victorville Daily Press, June 24, 2007.

In addition, First Industrial Trust is assembling huge parcels in Apple Valley. "Our landholdings in Southern California allow us to serve our customers through the development of state-of-the-art distribution facilities that accommodate increasing demand for industrial space from rising trade volumes and population growth," said Phil Bowman, senior vice president of development of First Industrial. During 2007, First Industrial and its partner acquired nearly 900 acres of land in Southern California through 16 transactions. Year to date, First Industrial and its partner have acquired an additional 400 acres of developable land in the Inland Empire that can accommodate approximately 9 million square feet of development. First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR) provides industrial real estate solutions for every stage of a customer's supply chain, no matter how large or complex, across more than 30 markets in the United States and Canada.

 

Major Retail Centers breaking ground in Apple Valley in 2008

According to the Victorville Press, January 3, 2008, the following five major retail centers are breaking ground in Apple Valley in 2008:

 

• Apple Valley Commons: 733,000 square feet north of the intersection of Highway 18 and Dale Evans Parkway
  
  Confirmed Tenants: Carl’s Jr., Cold Stone Creamery, Del Taco, Fresh Work, GameStop, Glamour Secrets, Juice It Up!, Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, Maui Hawaiian BBQ, Office Max, Pacific Dental, Quiznos Sub, Red Persimmon Nails & Spa, Ross Dress For Less, Round Table Pizza, Sport Clips, T-Mobile, The UPS Store, Ultimate Gear, Union Bank and Verizon Wireless
  
  

• Jess Ranch Marketplace: 93 acres at southwest corner of Bear Valley and Apple Valley roads
  
  Confirmed Tenants: AT&T, Best Buy, Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, Carvel Ice Cream, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Denny’s, Famous Footwear, Fashion Bug, Golden Chopstix, Kirkland’s Home, Lane Bryant, Me-n-Ed’s Pizzeria, Nubi Yogurt, Payless ShoeSource, PetSmart, Rite Aid, Staples, Verizon Wireless, Western Dental and WinCo Foods
  
  

• Mojave River Crossings: 165,000 square feet at northwest corner of Bear Valley and Apple Valley roads
  
  Confirmed Tenants: Family Dental Service, Flaming Wok, Hertz Rent A Car, Jeweler, Ladies Workout Express, PostNet, Quiznos Sub, Red Persimmon Nail, Sold it on E-Bay, SuperCuts, Travel Agency and Wing Stop
  
  

• Apple Valley Center: 25,000 square feet at southwest corner of Highway 18 and Apple Valley Road
  
  Confirmed Tenants: Beauty Nail & Spa, Jack in the Box, Snap Fitness, Soya Sushi, Starbucks Drive-Thru, Subway, Super-Slice Pizza, and Verizon Wireless
  
  

• Apple Valley Plaza: southwest corner of Bear Valley and Central roads
  
  Confirmed Tenants: Afio Mai Coffee House, Amazing Grace Community Church, Cybercity, Apple Valley Unified School District offices, Enrique’s Italian Deli, Henry’s Samoan BBQ, Max Fitness, Mexican Grill, Pamz Tanz, Perfection Hair Studio, Phazes Salon, Shaping Spaces Furniture, Sprint/Nextel, State Farm Insurance, Super Cleaners, and Tortas Sinaloa Restaurant

 

Apple Valley prepares for major business development in 2008

According to the Victorville Daily Press, January 3, 2008, Apple Valley is ready for major business development in 2008. “We anticipate some pretty significant events toward the latter part of 2008 and 2009 as people begin to focus on industrial development in the Victor Valley as a whole,” said Ken Henderson, Director of Economic and Community Development for the Town of Apple Valley. Some 5,100 acres in northern Apple Valley are primarily zoned for light industrial business, including warehouses and distribution centers, and Henderson said there has recently been significant interest in this land from warehouse facilities.

He pointed to the Wal-Mart Supercenter that has been proposed for the southeast corner of Highway 18 and Dale Evans Parkway, which is expected to be reviewed by the Planning Commission in early 2008.

He also mentioned three public facilities that are in the final stages of design, and ready for the selection of contractors and going out to bid in the summer of 2008 for anticipated openings in July 2009.

 

• A new animal shelter will have holding and adoption areas for dogs, cats and exotic animals, corral areas for horses, fowl, goats and pigs, and aviary and reptile displays, said Kathie Martin, town spokeswoman.
• A 25,000 square-foot town hall annex, across from the library on the Civic Center Park site, will house the development and public services departments.
• A public works facility and yard is planned for the seven acres on Navajo Road near Waalew Road.
• The Apple Valley Commons, Jess Ranch Marketplace, Mojave River Crossings, Apple Valley Center and Spirit River Center will all get additional tenants in 2008 as building phases progress, according to the Apple Valley Town Web site.

 

 

Apple Valley Airport to get 12 new hangars at a cost of $1.5 million

According to the Victorville Daily Press, January 25, 2007, Learjets and Gulfstream jets have been circling Apple Valley, because aircraft traffic has increased at the Apple Valley Airport. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to advertise for bids on 12 T-hangars for small aircraft and six larger rectangular hangars. The budget for the project is currently $1.5 million, according to a San Bernardino County staff report. “In total, we’ve invested in the past several years about $7.5 million,” said 1st District Supervisor, Brad Mitzelfelt. “Having a busy airport is a good economic engine for the North Apple Valley area.”

More than 50 aircraft owners are currently on a list to lease hangar space, said Apple Valley Airport Manager, Terry Stover. Big-box retail stores have been looming up across the Victor Valley, such as Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and Home Depot. These big stores are pulling in more corporate jets. Stover said the Airport will also develop land on its southern side with a taxiway and vehicle-access road so that clients will be able to build their own hangars. “We’re expecting bids to come in about a month.”

Ken Henderson, Apple Valley’s Director of Economic and Community Development, said the Apple Valley Airport is an integral part of the Town’s efforts to encourage development in its 5,000-acre Industrial Specific Plan Zone in North Apple Valley. According to this Article, the Industrial Specific Plan went into effect on November 26, 2006. Henderson said the hangars and other development of the Airport are important for attracting business to the Apple Valley Airport. He said two hotel developers are looking at the Apple Valley Area.” I think you will see more movement of goods and distribution industries in the area,”

 

 

Best Buy will be major anchor tenant in 700,000 sq. ft. Jess Ranch Marketplace in 2008

According to the Victorville Daily Press, July 6, 2007, one of the largest power centers in the Victor Valley, Jess Ranch Marketplace, will include Best Buy as an anchor tenant for the project. Malcolm Riley expects to break ground in early 2008 on phase three of the 700,000-Square foot Center. In addition to Best Buy, the developer is in negotiations with Bed, Bath & Beyond as another anchor tenant, as well as Cinemark Theaters, which is planning to build a 12-screen theater with stadium seating and state-of-the-art amenities.

Construction is already under way on phase two of the project at Bear Valley and Apple Valley roads, featuring Mervyn’s department store, Rite Aid, Applebee’s and FedEx/Kinkos, among other confirmed tenants. “Anticipated completion of phase two, which is 95 percent pre-leased, is expected in the fall of 2007,” said Erik Westedt, a senior associate and retail specialist with CB Richard Ellis in Ontario, a commercial real estate broker for Jess Ranch Marketplace. “The pre-leasing on phases two and three has been nothing less than spectacular,” said Cameron Riley, project manager of Jess Ranch Marketplace.

“The demand is just unbelievable, not only for this shopping center but also for the Town of Apple Valley and the Victor Valley in general,” he said.

 

 

First Class mixed use commercial facility opens in Apple Valley in 2007

According to the Victorville Daily Press, April 27, 2007, the Spirit River Center is now open. The 35,000-square-foot project at Apple Valley Road and Highway 18 features a pedestrian-friendly walkway with a series of buildings at different elevations. Anchoring the mixed-use project is the headquarters of the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, which includes a high-tech conference room and courtyard for meetings and events. The architectural style of Spirit River features a southwestern aesthetic design and a “river walk.”

Analysts see mixed-use projects combining shopping and restaurants with office space as a growing trend in commercial development in the Inland Empire. Office tenants enjoy having the amenities nearby, while the stores and eating establishments benefit. “The population is going to demand this kind of commercial space because of the convenience.”

Additional space is available at the center. In most cases, space leases for $2.25 per square foot per month, including taxes, insurance and common area maintenance. “We have a 2,000-square-foot shell and two 1,500-square-foot shells, for office or retail available. The project also offers 11 executive office suites with flexible leasing arrangements. The small “turn key” Class A offices are fully furnished and include a full-time receptionist, high-tech conference room and cubicles for assistants.

Phase two of the project is expected to break ground in June 2007, and will feature a 5,000-square-foot restaurant, which should open by the end of the year.

 

 

Apple Valley breaks ground on a technologically advanced 14-screen movie theatre and retail project at Central and Bear Valley Road in 2006

According to the Victorville Daily Press, October 14, 2006, Apple Valley is now poised to begin construction of its 14-screen first theater, which is expected to open in May 2007 at Central and Bear Valley Rd. The 14-screen luxury theater will serve as Ultra Star Cinema's flagship movie house, and will be the most technologically advanced theater in the world. Perched on the roof of the theater will be satellite dishes capable of downloading movies digitally straight to the screens. The theater will also feature high-back rocking chair seats with retractable arm rests. "We are directly competing with your in-home entertainment system," Company representative, Grossberg said.

As part of Ultra Star's conditional-use permit, it will have to widen a section on Bear Valley and Central roads, two roads that are hemmed in by dirt lots and a four-way stop. More expansion is expected when all four corners are developed. First, a signal will soon replace existing stop signs, and what is now a two-lane section of Bear Valley Road will become three.

Ultra Star is responsible for constructing two eastbound lanes next to the property, complete with curbs, gutters and sidewalks. On Central, the company is responsible for constructing two southbound lanes, also next to the property. “The roads will be widened to four lanes when other projects are developed on those corners," Martin said. "It has been our goal to get a movie theater since the town's incorporation," Mayor Mark Shoup said. "We needed, wanted and deserve a theater." Not only will the theater bring more retail business to the town, but it will change the face of what is known as a rural intersection.

Project Manager Alan Yates said a grocery store and hardware store are also planned in the same development, but said the launch of the theater paved the way for the other corners to be developed more quickly.