Professional Land Corporation: Barstow

BARSTOW AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES BRACE THEMSELVES FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH

Barstow's population has now reached about 22,850 people with a trade area of approximately 60,000 people. The city area is about 33 square miles with the median-priced housing around $170,000. Compare that to Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego counties where the median home costs around $600,000.

The City of Barstow and the Victor Valley are both located in the Inland Empire. The City of Barstow is mid-point between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, lying just 30 miles north of Victorville. Conveniently located at the intersection of Interstates 15 and 40, as well as Highways 58 and 247, Barstow provides optimal access to Southern California as well as Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.

BARSTOW IS WELL LOCATED AS AN EXCELLENT TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN THE HIGH DESERT

Barstow gets high marks when it comes to the railroads. Barstow was the logical location for a facility that could combine and classify freight traffic for all directions. And Santa Fe Railroad has invested more than 50 million dollars to prove it. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroad Classification Yard is a sophisticated and computerized facility directing major rail transportation throughout the United States. In addition, Amtrak offers passenger service to Los Angeles and Chicago by way of Las Vegas. Barstow has a reputation as being a major trucking capital. Yellow Freight Systems operates a 200-door freight distribution center at Interstate 15 and Lenwood Road. The intersecting highways and freeways have been a big plus for trucking. Interstate 15 connects Los Angeles with Las Vegas and continues northerly to Salt Lake City, Utah. Interstate 15 is undergoing a major expansion.

Caltrans is improving the 29-mile stretch between Barstow and Victorville along I-15 and will add a third lane at a cost of $178 million. This will result in increased freeway capacity, less congestion and improved freeway operation. Barstow is well positioned to play an important role in the growth of the Southern California Logistics Airport, offering important rail and trucking operations in close proximity to the Victor Valley.

Also, from Barstow to the Nevada State Line, there are plans for further improvements to I-15. Caltrans has plans for improving I-40 by reconstructing 22 miles of highway. There are also plans for the widening of Highway 58 that runs from Barstow though Kramer corners at the Junction of Highway 395 and Highway 58. Barstow also has its own airport, the Barstow-Daggett Airport with 5500 ft. and 6400 ft. Runways, providing service for executive and charter aircraft.

BNSF PLANS $16 MILLION RAILWAY EXPANSION IN BARSTOW IN 2006

According to the Barstow Desert Dispatch, March 11, 2006, BNSF Railway announced Friday a multi-million dollar project to expand its tracks in Barstow to ease cargo flow through the area. The company has two tracks running through the city now. Officials are planning a third main track stretching nine miles at a cost of $16 million. “What that does is allows for operational efficiencies and expedited handling of trains going through Barstow without stopping,’’ said Lena Kent, spokeswoman for BNSF Railway. Work on track construction is expected to begin later this year and should be completed by mid-2008. Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale hailed the project as a good sign. The BNSF rail lines “are quite congestive at the present time,’’ Dale said. “I would expect that their plans for this track between Barstow and Daggett are just a start. I would expect a third main line from San Bernardino to and through Barstow in the next several years.’’

BNSF’S other rail enhancement and maintenance projects this year include a $9 million expansion of the parking structure at the San Bernardino inter modal facility and a $26 million expansion of Los Angeles’ inter modal facility’s parking and stacking capacity. BNSF also plans to buy 310 low-emission locomotives for another $600 million. The company is eyeing Barstow, Victorville and Bakersfield as possible locations for such a facility, meant to help move along cargo coming through ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. About 60 percent of the cargo arriving through the ports is picked up by BNSF and Union Pacific Railway, while the rest either stays in the area or is loaded onto trucks, Kent said.

BARSTOW FACTORY OUTLETS

The Barstow Area is especially well known for the Factory Outlet Malls in the Lenwood area of Barstow. There are over 120 stores, including Polo, Ralph Lauren, Gap, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Coach. The Barstow Factory Outlets are owned and operated by the New Plan Excel Realty Trust. In addition, there is the Tanger Factory Outlet at I-15 at Lenwood Rd. that has an additional 24 stores, including Liz Claiborne, Reebok, Van Heusen, Mikasa, and Samsonite Luggage.

These stores have become very popular, because shoppers can purchase famous designer brands of first-quality merchandise at direct-from-manufacturer prices in an atmosphere that is shaded by trees and decorative vines in a park-like setting.

According to the Victorville Daily Press, January 4, 2007, the Tanger Outlet Center wants to add almost 60 percent to their facilities, which represents an increase from 110,000 to 175,000 square feet. They currently have 24 stores, and no vacancies. Carrie Warren from Tanger’s corporate office in Greensboro, N.C. said they expect to add around 15 stores depending on the size of each space. Stores average between 3,500 and 4,000 square feet in size.” It’s time to expand and see some growth,” Warren said. “The location has done well.”

Though Tanger has yet to release information on which stores will be moving into the new spaces, Warren said they already have stores lined up to move in.” We’re not ready to share the store information, but Tanger doesn’t build on speculation,” said Warren. “We’ve been in business for 26 years and we only build if we have over 50 percent leased. We have a great line up for the stores.” The expansion would be built south of the current location, near the Reebok store located in the Tanger Outlets. Warren doesn’t expect any obstacles to the expansion plan and believes it would be good for them and the community. The expansion is subject to Barstow approval.

Warren cites the history of the outlets and the growth of Barstow and Lenwood as factors in the decision to expand the facilities. She also said the Barstow location is undersized compared to the majority of their 35 nationwide outlets, which average 250,000 square feet.” That location has been a success for the past 11 years,” Warren said. “The Barstow area, especially around the I-15, continues to grow, so we expect good traffic. Our outlets range from 80,000 to 1 million square feet, but most are on the larger side.”

TANGER FACTORY OUTLETS ANNOUNCES SEVEN NEW STORES

According to the Barstow Desert Dispatch, February 26, 2008, seven new stores in the Tanger Outlets near Lenwood have opened or will open in the coming weeks, nearly completing the center’s 65,000 square-foot expansion. The expansion means more shopping choices and employment opportunities for local residents. “Who wants to go Down the Hill to go shopping?” he said. “It’s another reason to stop in Barstow. People going to Vegas can stop for fast food and gas. People coming back can stop to go shopping.”

Retailers Gymboree, Ann Talyor and Banana Republic opened late last week, said Jennifer Rodriguez, General Manager of the center. They will be joined by Calvin Klein, Aeropostale, Michael Kors and American Eagle Outfitters in the coming weeks. Coach moved from its old location to a newer, bigger storefront. Tommy Hilfiger will also move into the expanded part. “These are the brand names that customers are requesting,” she said.

Rodriguez said she expects the entire outlet center to be filled by May. The company is still negotiating with retailers to occupy the remaining spaces. Once built, the company’s attention will turn to finding tenants for the six remaining parcels of land the company owns in the Lenwood area, Rodriguez said. She expects three of those parcels to be filled with restaurants.

200 TO 500 CHINESE SHOPS EXPECTED TO COME TO BARSTOW FACTORY OUTLETS IN 2006

According to the Barstow Desert Dispatch, September 28, 2005, the Barstow Planning Commission approved a measure that will bring hundreds of small Chinese-owned businesses to the Barstow Outlet Center, which could help to add new life to the Barstow Factory Outlets and the area east of I-15. In the near future, this would mean that from 200 to 500 small businesses from the city of Yiwu in central China would set up shop in about 200,000 square feet of unoccupied store space at the Barstow Outlet Center. The businesses expect to be operating by the Chinese New Year, or late January of 2006. The products on sale could include electronics, clothing, furniture, jewelry, toys and a range of other items, according to a report prepared by Scott Priester, Director of Barstow City Planning. The currently unoccupied space at the Mall would be set up as an open showroom and divided up into hundreds of booths. The planning commission measure would also allow these businesses to operate on a wholesale basis, but require that all warehouse space be kept off-site. Currently, this would mean that the businesses would ship their wholesale inventory directly from China.

The Chinese businesses have a similar, but a much larger building in Yiwu, China that accommodates 50,000 booths. "While we do not expect Barstow to become the U.S. version of Yiwu, China, there is an opportunity to create a unique shopping center in Barstow, which will attract many shoppers from (the) western U.S. City officials hope the new businesses may revitalize the outlet malls that have seen much competition from outlet malls in other communities.

BARSTOW ANNOUNCES ITS LARGEST-EVER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN 2006

According to the Barstow Dispatch, January 27, 2006, Rimrock Ranch was recently approved by the city of Barstow, and represents the largest housing development in Barstow in decades. The master planned community will include up to 1500 homes on a 564-acre site adjacent to Barstow Heights, which is close to the Barstow Community College. Plans call for lots ranging in size from 7200 square feet to one acre. Eleven acres of the Development would be set-aside for commercial projects, apartments, parks and hiking trails. Canaday is the Tustin-based Developer of Rimrock Ranch. The Company plans to build the 1500 homes over the next 10 years.

Rimrock Ranch is moving forward with the first three tracts of homes. The master planned community of Rimrock Ranch was approved for its first phase of three different building tracts, the first with 98 planned lots, the second with 104 planned lots, and the third for 105 lots. These homes represent the initial phase of a planned community of about 1500 new houses on the south side of Rimrock Road, about a mile west of Barstow Road.

The Development will eventually include other amenities such as a school and paths. Rimrock Ranch fills a specific void in the Barstow area for executive-style housing, citing a past Chamber of Commerce survey. According to Barstow city Officials these 1500 homes represent the first domino of more than 6000 homes that are currently in one development stage or another in Barstow.

WAL-MART PROPOSES A GIANT 880,000 SQUARE FOOT FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN BARSTOW IN 2006

According to the Victorville Daily Press, December 16, 2005, Wal-Mart announced plans to build an 880,000 square foot food distribution center in Barstow that could create between 500 and 700 jobs. The proposed distribution center would be built on Lenwood Road north of Interstate 15 in the Barstow Industrial Park.” The facility we are planning for Barstow will feature state-of-the-art technology and bring added capacity, which will allow us to better serve our expanding California Supercenter presence," said Rollin Ford, executive Vice President of logistics for Wal-Mart. "That we chose Barstow is a vote of confidence in its people and leadership," Ford said in the release. "We believe they embody the kind of spirit and can-do attitude that will ensure effective and efficient service to our California customers."

Construction on the proposed food distribution center is planned to begin in late 2006. Wal-Mart expects the center to be fully operational by 2008. Initially, the company plans to hire 500 people for full-time jobs but predicts that number could grow to 700 within the first three years of operations. The proposed food distribution center is within the boundaries of the new Enterprise Zone. Businesses within the zone may qualify for special tax credits for hiring and some purchases and expenses.

Arkansas-based Wal-Mart built a 1.3-million-square-foot distribution center in Apple Valley on 320-acres that began full operations in March 2004. The distribution center's staff expanded in spring of 2005 to employ more than 800 people, according to its General Manager, Justin Traweek. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. operates 150 discount stores, seven Supercenters and 34 Sam's Clubs in California.

HOME DEPOT COMING TO BARSTOW IN 2005

According to the Barstow Desert Dispatch, January 22, 2005, Home Depot has filed applications with the city to begin construction on a new store this summer at the northwest corner of Avenue L and Interstate15 in Barstow. Home Depot plans to build a 124,000-square-foot facility and hire between 150 and 200 employees once it opens. According to the applications, the main building will be almost 63,000 square feet and the lumber sales area will be around 32,000 square feet. There will also be a garden center of more than 29,000 square feet. Home Depot currently operates 1,800 stores across the nation and is the world's largest home improvement retailer. "I think it's going to be a big boost for our city economy and the job market," Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale said. The Mayor also pledged that Barstow would continue to actively court major businesses to create economic growth.

BARSTOW WINS ENTERPRISE ZONE STATUS IN 2005, WHICH WILL GIVE TAX BREAKS AND CREDITS TO LURE NEW BUSINESSES

According to the Barstow Desert Dispatch, November 8, 2005, Barstow’s efforts to lure business and industry to town will soon get a boost. The State is expected to announce Wednesday that Barstow has been awarded designation as a California Enterprise Zone. The Zone would cover Census Tract 94, areas on West Main Street, including the city's business park and industrial park. Businesses that come to the Enterprise Zone would qualify for certain tax breaks, such as credits for hiring employees and certain equipment purchases. The California Enterprise Zone Program targets certain areas throughout California. Special state and local incentives encourage business investment and promote the creation of new jobs. The purpose of the Zone program is to provide tax incentives to businesses and allow private sector market forces to rev up the local economy. Businesses that locate in Barstow’s Enterprise Zone would be eligible for substantial tax credits and benefits including:

Hiring Tax Credits - Firms can earn $31,605 or more in State tax credits for each qualified employee hired
Sales and Use Tax Credit
- Zone companies may receive a sales tax and use tax credit for manufacturing or processing machinery, data processing and communications equipment and motion picture manufacturing equipment central to production and post production, to be used in the Zone
- Individuals can claim a credit on the first $1,000,000 of qualifying purchases, while corporations can claim credit on the first $20,000,000 per year
Business Expense Deduction - Up front expensing of certain depreciable property
Net Operating Loss Carryover - Up to 100% of the NOL may be carried forward for 15 years
Lenders Credit - Lenders to Zone business may receive a new interest deduction
Unused tax credits can be applied to future tax years
Enterprise Zone companies can earn preference points on state contracts

THE BARSTOW AREA HAS AN ABUNDANT WATER SUPPLY

The Mojave Water Agency's Pipeline Project gets its water from the California Aqueduct. The California Aqueduct, also known as the Feather River Project, was completed several years ago at a cost of 3.7 billion dollars. It gets its water from the Orville Dam near Sacramento. It's been estimated that the Feather River Project can bring enough water to service the water needs of 20 million Californians. Work on the Mojave Water Agency's $53 million pipeline project is on schedule, and the water-spreading basin in Lenwood is working as planned. The entire pipe is already in the ground along Community Boulevard and the next segment will take the pipeline up and around Barstow.

Work on the Mojave River Pipeline Project began in March 1997. The pipeline parallels the Mojave River and is designed to carry water as far as Newberry Springs from the California Aqueduct near Baldy Mesa. Water began flowing into the Lenwood water recharge basin on April 3, 1999. The Lenwood recharge site is roughly the halfway point of the project, which is scheduled to arrive in Newberry Springs by 2006.

According to the San Bernardino Sun, October 13, 2005, the 76-mile Mojave River Pipeline, linking the aqueduct south of Adelanto to Newberry Springs, is in its final phase of construction. "We expect to complete the pipeline by late December 2005, so water can start to flow in January," said Kirby Brill, General Manager of the Apple Valley-based Mojave Water Agency, which is building the line.

BARSTOW IS A VERY HOT FRANCHISE MARKET

According to the Barstow Desert Dispatch, January 28, 2004, Debolt, the head of a major franchise association, said that Barstow has an unusually large number of franchise businesses, including many restaurants and motels. Franchises are businesses owned by individuals, or franchisees, which acquire the right to use a trademark and operating system for companies such as McDonald's or Burger King by paying royalties that average 4 to 7 percent of sales. In addition to fast food, there are also franchises in about 70 other industries, including automotive and retail businesses, he said. In an interview, Debolt went on to say that Barstow is quite a hotbed of the franchising community. "For a town of this size, I'd guess you've got 20-fold, maybe 30-fold of the franchises that you'd see in another community of about 20,000 people. The familiarity of a well-known brand or trademark helps to attract consumers, especially in an area that sees heavy tourist traffic, such as Barstow's estimated 55 million annual tourists." Debolt said he considers Barstow a ripe market for additional franchises. He said that the area might be ideal for companies that offer automotive services or business-to-business services such as tax and payroll services.

A $50 MILLION HOSPITAL AND A $7.5 MILLION MEDICAL COMPLEX ARE PROPOSED FOR BARSTOW

According to the Barstow Dispatch, March 16, 2004, at a recent Barstow city council meeting, AGM Group proposed to develop a 100- to 150-bed acute care hospital that would employ 1,000 to 1,500 people. Additionally, a medical complex would employ another 100 to 200 people. The hospital is estimated to cost about $50 million to $70 million, while the medical complex is estimated to cost between about $7.5 million and $9.5 million, according to a project description from AGM. An AGM representative said in an interview Monday that he's not asking the city to subsidize the construction of the hospital, although he might look for smaller incentives like tax breaks. He said his company is considering three different sites in Barstow for the possible project but did not specify the locations. The hospital would include emergency services; intensive care and standard care beds, surgical services, a birthing center, a laboratory and radiology. The medical center would offer sub acute care as well as outpatient services such as a diabetes care, dialysis, pediatrics, and physical therapy and wound care. Barstow needs a new hospital, because the city's only hospital, Barstow Community Hospital, doesn't meet the requirements of a state earthquake safety law. AGM is trying to compete with the operator of Barstow Community Hospital that is a Tennessee-based Community Health Systems that has also been negotiating with Barstow to build a new hospital.

THE BARSTOW AREA OFFERS THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYERS:

Santa Fe Railway's company payroll is $23.7 million.
United States Marine Corps Logistics Supply Base payroll $103.9 million annually.
Contel Corporation's annual payroll is $30 million.
Bendix's annual payroll is $13.2 million.
Edward's Air Force Base economic impact estimated to be $2.2 billion. - Payroll is over $500 million.
Fort Irwin Training Center- Army payroll $141 million.

BARSTOW COLLEGE AND OTHER EMPLOYERS IN THE BARSTOW AREA

In July of 2002, the Barstow Desert Dispatch reported that the Newmark Concrete-Pole Manufacturing Plant is already under construction and should be finished in September of 2002. This factory shall be located on Lenwood Road, not too far from the Barstow Factory Outlets.

Other employers in the Barstow area include:

Two Factory Outlet Malls with over 120 stores in Lenwood, Big Sky Precast, Brubaker-Mann, Diamond Pacific Tool, Fruit Growers Express, Kar Ice Service In., RHEOX, INC., Continental RPV’s, Calico Rock Milling Co., Yellow Freight Systems Inc., Goldstone, Barstow Community Hospital, and Barstow Unified School District.

Barstow has an array of high- level schools that are included as part of the Barstow Unified School District. It also can boast of its Barstow Community College.

NEW HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL AND SUITES

Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites announced the construction of a 110-room hotel. According to the Victorville Daily Press in June 2002, Holiday Inn Express General Manager Marcia Bond said the three-story, $8 million Hotel should open Jan. 10, 2003. The amenities shall include a swimming pool, extended-stay suites, several 31-foot rooms with Jacuzzis and two conference rooms that can accommodate a total of 150 people. General Manager Bond also said: "This beautiful new building will be the first thing people on the freeway will see when they come into Barstow. I think this will change their perception of this city, when they see the new building." The 60,918-square-foot "L"-shaped building is located near the Reebok store in the Tanger Factory Outlet Center on Lenwood Road. "It is going to create about 30 new jobs in Barstow." Professional Land Corporation has exciting land parcels just west of the Barstow Factory Outlets and the upcoming Holiday Inn Express off Lenwood Rd.

SITUATED TO THE SOUTH OF BARSTOW, THE TOWN OF HELENDALE IS HOME TO THE GORGEOUS PRIVATE LAKE COMMUNITY OF SILVER LAKES

Situated to the south of Hinkley and Barstow and to the north of Victorville is the Town of Helendale. Helendale has the gorgeous Silver Lakes Development. Silver Lakes is a planned private lake community of 3000 home sites that are currently about half built out. Silver Lakes has two man made lakes. One being 112 acres for swimming and fishing and the other is 165 acres for boating activities. There is also a 27-hole PGA Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. Many beautiful homes have been built along the fingers of the lakes and along the fairways of the golf course. The homes in Silver Lakes are some of the most gorgeous ones in the High Desert. Silver Lakes also offers Horseback Riding - Sailing - Boating - Fishing – Racquetball - Lighted Tennis Courts - Shopping and 24 Hour Security. There is also the Inn at Silver Lakes, which is a 50-room hotel.

6000 NEW HOMES ARE PROPOSED FOR SILVER LAKES AND HELENDALE IN 2006

According to the San Bernardino Sun, February 11, 2006, civic leaders and developers envision as many as 6,000 new homes in the near future in the Helendale area and Silver Lakes. The private lake community of Silver Lakes is a 4,724-acre community that is now home to close to 8,000 people. Construction work is under way on virtually every street, with 176 new homes going up and 48 awaiting environmental review by the County. Homes at Silver Lakes range from 1,800 square feet to 4,786 square feet, with prices averaging $310,000. "Our residents include lawyers, doctors, truck drivers, police officers and city employees," General Manager, Schoenbaum said. "Many come from Orange County, selling their homes there to live near our lakes and 27-hole PGA Golf Course."

On the drawing boards are four major housing projects in the vicinity of Silver Lakes, which represent 1,000 to 2,000 new homes. A principal developer, the McRae Group of Cos. of Scottsdale, Ariz., is in the preliminary stages of preparing a conceptual design for its 262-acre Silver Mountain Estates at the west edge of Silver Lakes. "We're now studying community and infrastructure needs for the Development," said Project Manager Mike Naggar. The McRae Group also plans two other major housing developments in the Helendale area: the 1,000-home Silver Mountain Vistas Project and the 1,585-home Silver Buttes Development.

The 2,000-home Safari Ranch Development is also on the drawing board. It is proposed along Shadow Mountain Road, just south of Silver Lakes.

North of Silver Lakes, American Heritage Homes of Victorville plans to build 272 homes on 75 acres, said Gary Sorley, one of the Firm’s owners.

Also north of the community, Los Angeles developer Yong Sun Kim plans 500 homes on 320 acres, including an 18-hole golf course, said Milton Barr, with Elite Realty of Silver Lakes.

About 6 miles northeast of Silver Lakes in the Bonanza Valley, 74 manufactured homes will be built during the next 18 months by Temecula-based Twinleaf Homes LLC. The first three homes, selling from $309,500 to $329,900, already have been built. "We felt this location has great promise," said Ken Rose, co-owner of Twinleaf Homes. "It's quiet, with forever views of the mountains."

High Desert Development LLC plans 37 homes on 91 acres on the north side of Buckhorn Trail, a local resident said.

HELENDALE’S STUDENT ENROLLMENT IS PREDICTED TO TRIPLE WITH OVER 3500 PLANNED NEW HOMES

According to the Victorville Daily Press, June 25, 2005, the pending approval of four new housing tracts could result in more than 3,500 new homes in Helendale, which would triple student enrollment from 640 students to more than 1,800 in five to seven years. The school board proposes to adopt additional developer fees on residential and commercial properties. The proposed fee increase would fund construction of new schools needed to keep up with growth. The current fees are $2.14 per square foot for residential and 34 cents per square foot for new commercial developments. The proposed increase is 10 cents per square foot for residential and two cents per square feet for commercial. That would be $3,360 per 1,500-square-foot home. This increase is not considered too significant when compared to other High Desert cities.

LOCATED TO THE EAST OF BARSTOW, NEWBERRY SPRINGS IS AN OASIS OF BEAUTIFUL LAKES IN THE HIGH DESERT

Newberry Springs is located approximately 20 miles east of Barstow. It is accessible via I-15 and I-40. Encompassing about 117 square miles, it is probably the only area in California that offers 5 professional championship ski lakes, several private ski lakes, and five jet ski boat lakes. Newberry Springs can boast about the Horton Water Ski School, which has been

regarded as one of the finest water ski schools in the world. The beautiful Wet Set Village in Newberry Springs has shade trees, flowers and manicured lawns, and has featured water ski tournaments that have been shown on ESPN. Another lake in the Newberry Springs area is the privately owned Cheyenne Lake, which offers water skiing and jet skiing.

Newberry Springs is also known for its agriculture. Irrigated by the Mojave Aquifer, the largest aquifer in the Western United States, Newberry Springs produces some of the best pistachios in the world. The climate in Newberry Springs is mild and ideal for many crops, including pistachios, apricots and alfalfa. Newberry Springs is also known for its farming operations, which include ostrich, buffalo, duck, turkey, catfish, and tropical koi fish. The average high temperature in the summer is 100- 110 degrees. In the winter, lows generally get into the 20's, but a dry cold temperature.

OVER 1400 HOMES PROPOSED FOR NEWBERRY SPRINGS IN 2006

According to the Barstow Desert Dispatch, November 2, 2005, Terry Christensen and SL Investment Group LLC, owners of the closed Lake Dolores Water Park just north of Interstate 15 in Newberry Springs, have applied to build a 273-acre development called Newberry Springs Estates that would eventually contain more than 1,400 senior homes. Christensen, representing KHL Development LLC, said he got the idea after discovering thousands of seniors in Southern California were selling their homes when they retired and moving to Las Vegas. "We're losing people to Vegas, because of the price," Christensen said. "They're selling homes for $500,000 in southern California, then buying homes in Vegas for $250,000."Christensen said he believes he can capitalize on Newberry Springs' general proximity to Las Vegas. "They can go to Vegas in the morning and be home for the six o'clock news.

Christensen predicts the homes would cost between $250,000 and $300,000. The proposed project is so ambitious it would be tackled in 10 phases. Christensen has helped plan or develop senior housing projects before in Rancho Cucamonga, Baseline, and Fontana, but none have been this large. Newberry Springs Estates would be a gated community with 24-hour security, Christensen said. The neighborhood plans include open spaces and community facilities.

The developers plan to help pay for more paramedics and emergency responders to deal with the growing population, he said. In their planning application with the county, the developers estimate about 2,569 residents in the community once it's built out. That would nearly double the estimated population for Newberry Springs. In addition, Christensen predicted paying about $6 million in fees to Silver Valley Unified School District.

The estate's application was submitted in September and formally accepted by the county on Oct. 21. The county has begun some initial analysis of the project, and Christensen said they would make any changes the county requests. If all goes as planned, Christensen predicted construction could begin in spring 2006."It's quite a project and will do a lot for our community," Lynch said. "It will mean a lot to Barstow. It will mean a lot commercially to the area and bring in a lot of jobs. It will kick off growth in Barstow that's already planned.” Christensen said he also has an option on an additional 3,000 acres of land in the area. If the residential development works out as planned, he's pondering other possible projects, such as a 27-hole golf course.

In fact, Christensen looks at Newberry Springs and sees another, larger desert community -- Palm Springs.” The difference between Palm Springs and Newberry Springs is 1,700 feet," Christensen said. That's the difference in elevations. Because of the difference, Newberry Springs is cooler during the summer months than Palm Springs, while Palm Springs is warmer during the winter months."(Newberry Springs) could be like Palm Springs," he said.

$53 MILLION NEWBERRY SPRINGS WATER PIPELINE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 2005

According to the San Bernardino Sun, October 13, 2005, the 76-mile Mojave River Pipeline, linking the aqueduct south of Adelanto to Newberry Springs, is in its final phase of construction. "We expect to complete the pipeline by late December 2005, so water can start to flow in January," said Kirby Brill, General Manager of the Apple Valley-based Mojave Water Agency, which is building the line. "Bringing water to Newberry Springs will ensure the future viability of this community." When completed, the $53 million pipeline will be able to deliver as much as 188 acre-feet of aqueduct flow daily, which is equal to about 68,000 acre-feet per year. An acre-foot, 326,000 gallons, is about the amount of water a family of six consumes in a year.

The 400-mile-long California Aqueduct, a key part of the State Water Project, which carries water from Northern California dams to Southern California. Giant pumps lift the flow of water over the Tehachapi Mountains into the High Desert. Water flowing downstream from the Aqueduct will enter a series of basins that will allow it to percolate slowly into the underground aquifer. "Retention basins are located in Hodge, Lenwood, Daggett and Newberry Springs," said Gary Martin, the Agency's chief engineer.

Congressman Jerry Lewis was instrumental in obtaining $43 million in federal funds for the project, saying the massive pipeline would create opportunities for expanded economic growth and new jobs for generations in the High Desert. An additional $5 million for the project came from a state grant, and $5 million in low-interest loans was received from the California Department of Water Resources.

KRAMER JUNCTION IS LOCATED TO THE WEST OF BARSTOW AT THE JUNCTION OF U.S. HWY 395 AND STATE HWY 58

Kramer Junction is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 395 and California Highway 58. Highway 395 can be taken from San Diego to Northern California, and Highway 58 leads to Barstow and Bakersfield, connecting easterly to the I-15 interchange to Las Vegas and westerly to the 14 and 5 Freeways. According to a Caltrans publication, dated January 15, 2002, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) propose to construct a 4-lane

expressway on Highway 58 between the Kern County line and 7.5 miles east of Highway 395 in San Bernardino County. The proposed expressway would include a diamond interchange at Highway 395. There is a large traffic count passing through Kramer Junction every day, which explains why Caltrans is considering this expressway and why more and more gas stations and fast food restaurants are locating there.

KRAMER JUNCTION ALREADY HAS 4 MAJOR GAS STATIONS

Station Name	Highway	Junction	Zip Code:
CHEVRON	2852 HWY 58	KRAMER JUNCTION	93516
SHELL	HWY 395/HWY 58	KRAMER JUNCTION	93516
UNOCAL	6158 HWY 58	KRAMER JUNCTION	93516
MOBIL	HWY 395/HWY 58	KRAMER JUNCTION	93516