Inland Living Magazine

On Newsstands Now

trends | going green

By MATT WRYE, Photos by Gabriel Luis Acosta

Call him overly optimistic, maybe unrealistic, and he smiles.

Mention "sustainable communities," and his eyes light up with an unrivaled passion.

With leaders in Washington D.C. touting energy-efficiency, ali Sahabi's goal of transforming the Inland Empire into California's green capital could be one step closer to reality.

Just don't call him self-serving.

"I don't want to do (green) projects for the sake of doing projects — i want to do them to make a difference," Sahabi says.

The iranian immigrant and developer behind the 534-acre Dos lagos mixed-use community in Corona insists there's no better region for green industry companies to call home.

As far as Sahabi knows, he's accomplished something that nobody else has: founding a network of local politicians, businesses and organizations that are green-minded, the Green Valley initiative, which is at least 500 members strong.

Supporters include 40 inland Empire cities, San Bernardino and Riverside counties and several regional organizations.

Since June 2007, the collaboration has spoken as one voice to federal and state officials, and it's analyzed what resources the inland Empire already has to launch the area into a viable green-job, green-development and green-energy community.

Sahabi has high hopes for 2009, especially since the Green Valley initiative caught the attention of Commerce Department officials in October.

The initiative's economic plan for the two-county region was approved by the department's Economic Development Agency, which allows for local businesses and governments to apply for federal grants to help fund energy-saving projects.

Millions of dollars for funding those local projects might be netted by way of President Obama's anticipated stimulus package, especially since the country's new leader has some green visions of his own.

"You have a different reception from federal and state agencies when you're talking as 4 million people rather than one small city," Sahabi said.

But what Sahabi envisions is a far stretch for other local movers and shakers to see.

"Whenever you have new ideas that involve change, people aren't comfortable," he said. "They like the status quo. That's why some people can't see what others can see."

Sahabi made waves throughout the early 2000s when some local officials and developers thought he was almost crazy for creating a plan to develop homes, retail shops, office space and parks on property adjacent to Corona that was contaminated and flooded from years of silica mining.

"Some people said I was some rich brat from L.A., just throwing around money," he said. "They didn't realize I came (to Los Angeles) with nothing."

It took almost 10 years, but Dos Lagos eventually became a reality. Homes and office buildings are still being built there, and a stretch of retail shops opened in October.

You could credit the man himself, but Sahabi says his family values guide his business decisions.

Before immigrating to Detroit in 1978, and then to Los Angeles in 1984, Sahabi was born and raised in Iran. His mother died in a car accident when he was 11.

Nonetheless, the values mom and dad impressed upon Sahabi stayed with him.

"She made me understand that your life is not just about satisfying your needs, but impacting your community," he said, reminiscing about his mother.

That philosophy can reap profit, too, and Sahabi isn't ashamed to admit it. "I came to realize it's good business," he said.

He's even established SE Corp., his Corona-based developing company, on pillars that reflect what he calls a respect for nature, respect for community and respect for public-private collaboration.

"They don't pay attention to the community as much as they should," Sahabi says about some developers. "When you respect someone, they respect you." It's an attitude bound to bode him well as the green sparkle in his eye grows bigger every year.

"Ali's vision is refreshing," said Lori Vanarsdale, chairwoman of the Ontario- based California Inland Empire District Export Council and former Hemet councilwoman. "He's got new insight as to our potential here in the Inland Empire." With Sahabi's green vision, he's seeing things that others don't, Vanarsdale said.

"Enthusiasm allows you to do things better than you really know how," she said.

"Even if he didn't have the slightest idea of how he's going to do this, his enthusiasm is infectious. He's putting his money where his mouth is." A breakthrough for Green Valley Initiative could be on the horizon this year as it seeks outside dollars to kick-start Sahabi's goal — a green Inland Empire.

"We're still trying to get everybody on board, and we will," Sahabi said. "It's just a matter of time."

Inland Living Magazine

Copyright © 2007-2009 Inland Living Magazine All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Horizontal navigation bar

Untitled Page

Other Publications

Calendar

THINGS TO DO

Events - Venues - Dining

Select a tab above to search in that category

Submit an even | Advanced search

Calendar

Other Publications This page require Adobe Flash 9.0 (or higher) plug in.

Other Publications