Banning, CA

A few of the Buildings in the Banning Downtown Art District are getting a makeover. Last year the City Council approved several buildings for a Facade Grant aimed at helping to renovate and revitalize the Downtown area. Building Owners applied for these Redevelopment Grants that were specifically geared towards improving the look of Downtown Banning.

Several Business's were approved and currently work is in progress. If you drive Downtown you will see the work, but specifically the Art District around N. San Gorgonio Ave. is and has undergone major transformations.

Ben Stephenson's building on the corner of San Gorgonio and Hays (the one with the big Mural) has really changed the feeling of the area. He chose to go with the Early Mission style. This Building was once uninhabitable, and it needed to be completely rehabbed including retrofitting.

It's so nice to see the improvements to the buildings in the area. Ben's building and the Hendon Building behind it both could have been torn down as they needed some major work. And a really great coup for the new Art District is the addition of the Dorothy Ramon Center (more later on this wondrful addition to the neighborhood) that bought the building across the street. They also bought some vacant lot(s) behind them, and are in the process of fundraising to pay for the transformation.

Upcoming events:

If you live in the area there are many different activities happening in this new Art District. And don't forget the Evenings in the Park Concert Series in Repplier Park. The series starts this coming Thursday August 7th at 7:00 PM, and as always is FREE for everyone. One of the Major Banning Art Groups is the Playhouse Bowl Association, Inc. that has put this Concert Series on forthe past 55 years.

For further information on the Concerts call: 951.922.3240

The Art District of Downtown Banning has been developing for several years now. It started with several different Groups including Pass Cultural Arts Foundation , Poetry Groups, Dance, Photography and a Summer Music Series in the Park .

A couple years ago I was on the General Plan Committee that met once every week for almost a year to redo the Cities General Plan. We talked about having an official Art District at that time, and a certain area was discussed. Another Art Group formed and this Group petitioned the City Council for funds saying they would bring business into the Downtown area helping to revitalize it.

This is important because this Group has had a couple successful Street Fairs centered around Art, and they also were instrumental in convincing the City Council within the past few months to purchase Paula Hills building on N. San Gorgonio Ave, in the Center of the Downtown Art District.

This two story building has been used as an Artists Co-op over the past several years, and now the city purchased it.

Watch for more news on the Art District and interviews with local Artists.

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty - Author of Caifornia Real Estate and Life Blog

In 1987, the Presley Company began sales of the first phase of Sun Lakes Country Club in Banning. After more than 10 years of building and continual new sales, Pulte Homes purchased the project and finished the remaining unbuilt homes in 2003. This grand community of just over 3300 home sites offers 51 different floor plans from which to choose. Condos make up 7 of these plans. The smallest condos are approximately 850 Square Feet and the largest home is just over 2600 Square Feet. These homes and condos are scattered on and off the Executive and Championship golf courses. The beauty of this active adult community comes from the impressive mountain backdrops, the mature meticulously maintained grounds, the great recreational facilities and of course, the friendly people and atmosphere.
The City of Banning is located between Redlands and Palm Springs in the San Gorgonio Pass with its elevation at approximately 2500 Feet. This location makes for ideal temperatures ranging 10-20 degrees cooler than the desert in the summer and the enjoyment of all four seasons. That's right - you might see snow. Sun Lakes Country Club has easy access to shopping at the Sun Lakes Village Shopping Center where you will find anchor stores such as Albertson's, Rite Aid, K-Mart/Sears, Downey Savings and Mobile Gas Station. The San Gorgonio Pass is booming with a new shopping center being built a few blocks away with such anchor stores as Super Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Home Depot, Wickes Furniture, a Chili's Restaurant and Wells Fargo Bank. Medical needs are served with Beaver Medical Clinic and the San Gorgonio Pass Memorial Hospital which is located less than a mile from the Sun Lakes Country Club main gate.

Every Sun Lakes purchaser will pay the one-time fee of $950.00 per lot, non-transferable, before close of escrow for the social membership of Sun Lakes Country Club. All homeowners pay a monthly fee of $193.00 to the master association for maintenance of the 3 clubhouses, restaurant, 3 pools, tennis courts, private streets, 24 hour guarded gate entrance and basic cable TV service with HBO and Show Time. The new homeowner will also be charged a $250.00 transfer fee which will cover the transfer of that address to the new owner. A gate transponder must be purchased at a cost of $40.00.

If you prefer a low maintenance lifestyle, you may want to purchase a condominium in one of the three sub-associations. The monthly sub-association fees are $124.00 (Lakeside I), $133.00 (Lakeside II), or $136.00 (Fairway Villas) which cover outside maintenance of the structure, landscape maintenance, insurance on the buildings and upkeep of the exclusive pool and spa which are to be used by condo and town home residents only. Your total monthly association fee would then equal $317.00, $326.00 or $329.00 respectively.

Sun Lakes is located in Riverside County and the property tax rate is approximately 1.25%.

The Championship Golf Course is 18 holes and Homeowner's Daily Green Fees are $42 per person + cart rental, if needed. Unlimited golf for 2008 is $1875 (cash/check) or $1950 (credit card) per person + cart rental, if needed. The unlimited annual rate includes play on the Executive Course at no additional charge.

The Executive Golf Course has 18 holes and Homeowner's Daily Green Fees are $20.00 (for 18 holes), $14.00 (for 9 holes) + cart rental or $925 (cash/check) or $950 (credit card) annual rate per person for 2008. You must pay additional fees to play the Championship Golf Course if you are an annual unlimited member of the Executive Course.

Sun Lakes Realty has a number of beautiful homes and condos listed for sale. We would welcome the opportunity to show you the Sun Lakes community and help you narrow your choices in finding the perfect home for you in the perfect location. Thinking of renting before you make a purchase? We also have a limited number of rentals that are available should you want to give it a try before you buy.

We look forward to assisting you with the purchase of your next home.