Ray Bragg and his wife at the 2008 opening of Center Stage Theater.
In life there are those rare individuals who, if you are lucky, will show you a new way of looking at the world. Ray Bragg, Redevelopment and Special Projects Director, has served the community of Fontana for twenty-five years. In that time he has literally been an integral part of nearly every major development in the City, to include the Lewis Library and Technology Center and renovation of Center Stage Theater. When he retires later this year, Bragg will leave behind an incredible legacy that was built from years of determination and action.
Q: How long have you worked with the City of Fontana?
I first started with the City in 1984 as the Redevelopment Director. In 1986, I left for a short time to work for the City of Pomona as their Redevelopment Operations Manager.
I came back to the City of Fontana in early 1990 to work as the city’s representative on high profile projects such as the Empire Center, Hunter’s Ridge, and the I-10/Sierra Urban Interchange. I have been blessed with the opportunity to continue to work for the City of Fontana ever since on important projects that make our community just an outstanding place to live, work, play, and learn.
Q: What City of Fontana departments have you served and in what capacities?
Most of my time in Fontana has been with the Redevelopment and Special Projects Department in various roles including: a consultant, employee, and Department Director. I also spent one year as the Community Development Director.
Q: What did you do before you came to Fontana?
After graduating from Cal Poly, Pomona, in 1967, my wife and I joined the Peace Corps and spent two years teaching English in Turkey.
That was followed by nine years as the Chief of Long Range Planning for the City of Pomona. Notable accomplishments there included preparation of a new General Plan and the development of the Phillips Ranch residential neighborhood.
In 1978, we packed up the family and went to Saudi Arabia for six years to work on the design and construction of a new industrial city on the Red Sea. The new city grew from nothing to over 30,000 residents while we were there.
Returning to California, I did some consulting work before coming to Fontana in 1984.
Q: Why did you choose to work in Fontana?
Fontana was becoming recognized statewide as a forward thinking community in the areas of planning and redevelopment, and I felt that it might be an environment where I could both learn and use my talents to help make the community a better place to live. I have never regretted that decision to come to work for the people in Fontana.
Q: What are the differences between the City now as opposed to when you first arrived?
When I arrived, the City had barely 50,000 residents and was still reeling from the closure of the Kaiser Steel mill. Downtown was starting to suffer, both physically and economically, as traditional businesses left for the newer shopping centers adjacent to the freeway. Southridge Village had just started, and there were barely 100 homes built.
Today, Fontana is a very proud community of almost 200,000 residents. The majority of that huge population increase has occurred in just the past 10 years. Those folks chose to live in Fontana.
I am proud to be part of the City team that is helping the City Council and residents define what they want their community to be, and being part of the team that will turn that dream in to reality.
Q: What are your most favorite projects in which you have been involved? Why?
The new Library is at the top of the list. I spent 8 years helping to bring the Library to reality. Knowing that over a million people have walked through the doors in one year to use the services and materials there is beyond rewarding.
Next, is the Center Stage Dinner Theater because it offers residents an entertainment venue that is second to none in the Inland Empire, and it is bringing in surrounding visitors to discover the cultural side of Fontana they were unfamiliar with.
The reconstruction of the old I-10/Sierra interchange (built in 1954) into a modern urban interchange was a fascinating challenge that I was put in charge of. Finally, there are several projects, completed or currently under construction (building façades, murals, pedestrian trails, historic plazas), that are simply changing the visual appearance of the downtown in a fresh and positive way.
I have to thank the Mayor and City Council and City Manager for having the confidence in me and for giving me the opportunity to be a part of making Fontana a truly great community.
Q: What is your favorite hobby when you are not at work?
I enjoy cycling for exercise and genealogy (although I often think of genealogy as a pleasant addiction!).
Q: What are your plans for retirement?
Travel, travel, travel! My wife and I love to travel, and visit our three children and seven grandchildren.
Q: What is your most memorable experience from working in Fontana?
Standing on the second floor bridge in the new Library on opening day and watching 10,000 people stream in to discover all the wonders of their great new facility, built especially for them.
