Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Moreno Valley continues to debate 41-million-square-foot warehouse project
Listen
• 1:15
The Skechers distribution center as seen from the 60 freeway. That distribution center has only generated about 500 jobs after promising up to 3,000.
(
Steven Cuevas/KPCC
)
Tuesday night, the Moreno Valley City Council will discuss the proposed blueprint for a massive 41-million-square-foot warehouse complex near the 60 Freeway. The project is getting lots of support from city leaders, but not so much from its neighbors.
The World Logistics Center could consume nearly 4,000 acres of vacant land adjacent to a popular wildlife area. It would also border the edge of quiet neighborhood on the city’s east side.
Moreno Valley would have to revise its general plan to accommodate the sprawling complex. Its developer, Iddo Benzeevi, said that with a jobless rate of close to 14 percent, Moreno Valley needs this project.
"We have built a tremendous amount of housing in Moreno Valley," said Benzeevi. "And [we're] really lagging on job-producing land uses. What the city recognizes is that they need to bring the job-to-housing balance in line."
Support for LAist comes from
He points out that Moreno Valley currently has the lowest job-to-housing ratio "of any community in the region."
"This is an attempt to create a more sustainable, balanced community," Benzeevi said. "And we share in that vision.”
But critics question Benzeevi’s job creation claims. The developer’s other big Moreno Valley project, a million-square-foot Skechers distribution center, has only generated about 500 jobs after promising up to 3,000. Benzeevi said that facility is only in its first phase of operation.
His World Logistics project is also taking fire from environmental groups worried over the project’s potential impact on wildlife, air quality and people who live nearby.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist