“This achievement wouldn't have been possible without a broad community effort, said David Friedman. “Small businesses, nonprofit, city council members, and residents all came together to make our city cleaner.”
A Proud Moment for the City
Mayor Helen Tran called the recognition a proud moment for San Bernardino, crediting the work of residents, partners, and city staff. She noted that the designation reinforces the City's commitment to a downtown that welcomes residents, attracts new businesses, and anchors San Bernardino's role as a regional hub for opportunity.
About the Clean California Program
Clean California was launched by Caltrans in 2021 — in partnership with Keep America Beautiful and Keep California Beautiful — to clean up, reclaim, and beautify public spaces across the state. To earn full designation as a Clean California Community, a community must meet at least 10 of 15 established criteria. Designated communities gain priority access to grants, educational resources, and recognition on state platforms.
The Road to Recognition
San Bernardino's involvement in the program began in 2021, when the City's Public Works Department, working alongside local businesses and nonprofits, secured a $722,000 Clean California grant. The funding transformed an underused alley between Court Street and 4th Street into Sole Alley — now an active gathering space anchoring downtown.
The current designation reflects a multi-year partnership between the City of San Bernardino, the Arts Connection/Arts Council of San Bernardino County, Creative Grounds, and Realicore.
Community Power
Realicore's David Friedman credited a broad coalition for the win. "Small businesses, nonprofits, city council members, and residents all came together to make our city cleaner," he said.
Ray Blom, President of the City of San Bernardino Downtown Neighborhood Association, framed the work in terms of pride and ownership — describing each cleanup as a step toward a safer, stronger, and more united San Bernardino, and a signal to neighbors that the city is worth investing in.
Crime Down, Confidence Up
The designation lands alongside another encouraging headline: crime in the area has dropped to a 25-year low. Friedman said the combination is changing how outside operators see the market, with more companies reaching out about leasing or buying space downtown.
Statewide Impact
Governor Gavin Newsom recently highlighted the broader program's results — more than 3 million cubic yards of litter and debris removed across the state in four years, enough to fill over 136,000 garbage trucks.
How San Bernardino Qualified
Clean California Community criteria reach well beyond litter pickup. Communities must demonstrate work across areas like:
Free dump days
Public education programs
Community cleanups
Greening and beautification efforts
Highway art installations
New parks and transit station improvements
A system to measure and document progress
More Downtown Improvements
Sole Alley is one piece of a larger downtown investment push. Recent City projects include:
Renovating the front façade of the historic California Theatre
Installing solar lighting along 2nd, 4th, and 6th Streets
Repaving 2nd Street
Demolishing the outdated Carousel Mall
A Downtown by the Numbers
Mayor Tran noted that downtown remains the City's government and business core — home to 38,250 workers, 50,567 residents, and 2,756 businesses generating $6.7 billion in sales in 2024.
A Familiar Place, Returning
Rev. Chuck Singleton, pastor of Loveland Church, reflected on his 50 years in the city. He said San Bernardino was an idyllic place when he arrived, and he sees it returning to that — the reason Loveland Church and Cascades Development Company are once again building here.
For information on buying or leasing space in Downtown San Bernardino, contact David Friedman at (909) 810-2108 or dfriedman@realicore.com.
About Realicore — A one-stop real estate group serving industrial, retail, office, land, residential, and multifamily clients across the Inland Empire's commercial and residential markets.
About Cascade Sonrise Development Corporation — A California-based developer focused on Attainable Housing, drawing on extensive construction and development expertise to support entrepreneurship and community development.