Category: City News

News from around the city

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2008
Festival of Lights


2008
Mission Inn

In case you missed it, the 16th annual Festival of Lights began this past weekend in downtown Riverside. With 3.5 million lights and hundreds of animated figures, the crown jewel of the nightly festival is the historic Mission Inn hotel. As usual, Friday night's "lighting ceremony" incorporated extra festivities, including live music and fireworks.

Also included are an ice skating rink, carriage rides and several vendors and shops along the Main Street Pedestrian Mall. Most stores have extended their hours during the festival (something we'd like to see more of them do at other times during the year).

The festival runs nightly through January 4th (excepting Christmas Day). We suggest parking in one of the two available Orange Street parking garages, particularly if you're visiting Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings (parking is free after 5 p.m. and all day on the weekends). Another garage is also available off Market Street between Mission Inn and University avenues.

For those looking to make dinner plans (or simply grab a quick bite), several top-notch restaurants and eateries -- including Mario's, Restaurant Omakase, Duane's, Las Campanas, Cafe Sevilla, Old Spaghetti Factory, Simple Simons, Phood on Main, Pacific Stix and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf -- are all within a few blocks.

Related

• InstantRiverside.com - Mission Inn lights up downtown


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside's Festival of Lights kicks off in all its glory (Nov. 29)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - 'Little kid' ideal shines behind Festival of Lights (Nov. 28)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside's Festival of Lights starts Friday, with some changes planned (Nov. 26)


• Mission Inn


• Mission Inn - Festival of Lights


• City of Riverside - Festival of Lights

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - GMA does FOL (Dec. 2007)

Barely 3 years into operations, cargo shipper DHL is closing its west coast hub at March Air Reserve Base near Riverside. The closing comes as the German-based shipper pulls out of the U.S. domestic cargo market. The final flights at March are expected by the end of January 2009.

DHL

Officials with both March Global Port, the private developer of the DHL facility, and March Joint Powers Authority, the local government agency overseeing commercial reuses at the base, are unclear what will become of the 262,000 sq. ft. cargo sorting center located at the southern end of the 90-year-old base.

Though the end of DHL's 8 nightly flights may be good news to the ears of some local residents, it couldn't have come at a worse time as the Inland region is suffering from some of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. Losing a long-term, job-creating catalyst like DHL certainly won't help.

Although we acknowledge -- and agree -- there were some serious missteps made during the initial landing of DHL at March, we hope the March JPA continues its steadfast search for future airside tenants. But in doing so, it must also work twice as hard in regaining the public's trust and support.

However, the JPA must not lose sight of the fact its biggest asset is March's 13,300-foot runway -- one of the longest paved runways on the west coast. Simply allowing the DHL facility to transform into non-aviation uses would be a disservice to the entire Inland region -- a region striving to keep the next generation of residents from becoming long-range commuters.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - DHL to unload U.S. operations, close West Coast hub in Riverside (Nov. 11)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Inland airports' dream of cargo hubs grounded (Nov. 20)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Air cargo hub-bub (March 2006)


• RaincrossSquare.com - DHL opens West Coast hub (Oct. 2005)


• RaincrossSquare.com - The battle for DHL - part trois (Jan. 2005)

2008
Riverside National Cemetery


2008
Ysmael R. Villegas

This Veterans Day marks thirty years since the opening of Riverside National Cemetery.

Located across the I-215 freeway from March ARB on the former grounds of Camp William G. Haan, the 921-acre cemetery is one of the nation's largest and busiest national cemeteries.

The initial phase included 96 acres and cost $5 million when opened on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1978. The first interment was local WWII hero and Medal of Honor recipient, Ysmael R. Villegas.

Read more about the history of RNC in a previous post from earlier this year.

Photo Gallery: Riverside National Cemetery

Related

• Riverside National Cemetery


• Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Dearest at rest on sacred soil (Nov. 12)

After weeks of speculation, Riverside County agreed late last month to purchase the 10-story Regency Tower currently under construction in downtown Riverside. The $126.5 million purchase will consolidate the offices for the District Attorney, which are currently scattered in at least 10 buildings around downtown.

Oct. 2008
Regency Tower


Oct. 2008
View from Lemon Street


Nov. 2008
The city-owned
Orange Square parking structure

Yet to be decided is whether the DA will be sharing the 260,000 sq. ft. building with other departments, namely the Public Defender. County officials expect the DA to fill approximately three-quarters of the space with the rest reserved for future use. This has led some officials to call for sharing of the building in the interim.

The sale of the building to Riverside County leaves the City of Riverside with questions surrounding the original deal made with Silagi Development, namely whether the building -- originally envisioned as private Class A office space -- will provide the same economic benefit in county hands. And though this is a valid concern, it could be negligible as the sale will likely trigger additional office projects downtown -- including one recently proposed for University at Lime -- in order to fill market demand.

However, the original agreement between the city and Silagi contained concessions with regards to on-site parking requirements. Although Regency Tower will include 330 spaces in three-levels of subterranean parking, the developer secured additional required spaces -- at a discounted price -- from the city. The $4 million agreement allows daytime use of 400 spaces in the 540-space, city-owned parking structure across the street. City officials estimate the 400 spaces cost $7 million to build. Thus, the agreement effectively provided a subsidy of $3 million to the developer.

Yet, some have speculated Riverside County will end up purchasing the Orange Square parking structure, which could help the city recover some or all of its $17.3 million cost in building the structure (which was completed in 2005). But, depending upon how such a possible agreement is drawn up -- e.g., allowing public access during evening hours -- it could also potentially cause the loss of prime public parking (at least until a replacement garage could be built).

Overall, the sale of Regency Tower to Riverside County is a mixed bag. Indeed, the city will lose some of the economic benefits associated with a new private-use office building. It will also have to contend with the end results of the original parking agreement that is, in effect, now being transferred to the county. However, by purchasing Regency Tower, the county will save taxpayers millions of dollars by not having to construct its own building. Moreover, the sale will likely spur other Class A buildings to be constructed downtown, which essentially could replace the high-end, private-use office space being lost with the transaction.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside County district attorney's new tower rivals space in posh law firms (Nov. 07)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Officials push Pacheco to share new building (Nov. 02)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - District attorney's operations occupy buildings throughout Riverside (Oct. 28)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside officials feeling buyer's remorse about downtown office building deal (Oct. 25)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Delay sought on county office tower vote over dispute about parking spaces (Oct. 21)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - County eyeing new office tower (Sept. 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Update: Regency Tower - July 2008


• RaincrossSquare.com - Ground broken for downtown office building (Feb. 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Site cleared for downtown office building (April 2007)

Jan. 2007

Feb. 2008

July 2008

Aug. 2008

Oct. 2008

Sept. 2008
Renovation details


Sept. 2008
Fountain improvements
outside City Hall


Sept. 2008
View north toward
University Avenue from Ninth Street

Work continues to move along on the $10 million renovation of the Main Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown Riverside. The project is the first major rehab of the mall, which opened in 1966* spanning the former "Main Street" between Tenth and Sixth streets.

Construction began this past Spring between Tenth Street and University Avenue as well as the sidewalks on Main Street between Sixth and Fifth streets. Completion is expected to be completed by Fall. Work on the remaining two sections (one | two) between University Avenue and Sixth Street will begin after the first of the year with completion not likely until mid-2009.

So far, we like what we see, especially the interlocking pavers, which helps give the newness a rustic feel. Though not 100% complete, the look and feel between Ninth and Tenth streets is clean and crisp (maybe too much so) and even compliments City Hall. However, we're a bit unsure how the style will look in the more historic areas, particularly adjacent to portions of the Mission Inn. Truth be told, this portion of the mall -- with the most mature trees and park-like feel -- is least in need of complete renovation.

Included in the overall project is the reopening of Ninth Street through the mall. As a result, the city uprooted one of the mall's long-standing art fixtures, the Riverside Tripod. Designed by noted artist James Rosati, the sculpture sat alongside City Hall since 1976 before being replanted at the city's recently-built Fire Station No. 5.

In a fitting tribute, the Tripod was rededicated earlier this month as part of Sept. 11th observances. The new location is meant to commemorate both Rosati -- whose famed "Ideogram"** sculpture was destroyed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center -- and Riverside Fire personnel who responded to New York City in the aftermath.

Check out a recent report on the pedestrian mall project by Doug Haberman of The Press-Enterprise as well as more on the rededication of the Tripod at its new location.

Related

• Photo Gallery: Main Street Pedestrian Mall


• Riverside Renaissance - Main Street Pedestrian Mall rehab

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Pedestrian mall renovation begins (March 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Then & Now - Main at Mission Inn (March 2007)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Then & Now - Main at Ninth (May 2006)

* Photo courtesy of Ruhnau, Ruhnau, Clarke
** Photo courtesy of Mary Ann Sullivan at Bluffton University

A small curbside swath of University Avenue in downtown Riverside was turned into an impromptu park earlier today as part of National Park(ing) Day.

Trust for Public Land

What began in San Francisco in 2005 aimed at bringing awareness to the need for more parks and open space, particularly within urban environments, has grown into a nationwide event. For one day each year, a few parking spaces in cities across the nation are temporarily replaced with tiny "public parks."

The local event was sponsored by Community Works Design Group in Riverside and, to our knowledge, is the first time Inland Southern California has participated in the 3-year-old event.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Temporary parks spring up in downtown Riverside parking stalls | Photos | Video


• Official Site - National Park(ing) Day


• Trust for Public Land - National Park(ing) Day


• Flickr - National Park(ing) Day

Riverside Greater Downtown
Fine Dining Group

This week, eight downtown area restaurants are rolling out the red carpet to showcase the city's growing collection of unique, award-winning dining establishments as part of the first-ever Riverside Restaurant Week.

Sponsored by the Riverside Greater Downtown Fine Dining Group, patrons will be able to experience upscale culinary delights and one-of-a-kind atmospheres not found at the major "chain" restaurants. For the event, each restaurant will offer specially prepared, three-course meals for $25 (lunch) and $35 (dinner).

The eight participating restaurants are Café Sevilla, Ciao Bella Ristorante, Mario's Place, Mission Inn Restaurant, Olio Ristorante, Restaurant Omakase, Saffron and Via Veneto Trilussa.

The event, which kicked off Sunday with "The Overture," a fund-raising event benefiting the Riverside Arts Council, is a lead-in of sorts to Saturday night's 30th Annual "Mayor's Ball for the Arts" at White Park.

So, make plans this week to try out at least one of the participating restaurants. Indeed, Riverside is fortunate to have a wide-ranging assortment of independent fine dining establishments, all in or near the heart of downtown.

Related

• Riverside Greater Downtown Fine Dining Group


• InstantRiverside.com - Several downtown chefs to serve up bargain prices


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside restaurants put themselves on the menu


• PE.com video - Riverside Restaurant Week Sept 15 -19 | Ciao Bella Ristorante | Mario's Place | Mission Inn Restaurant | Olio Ristorante | Restaurant Omakase | Saffron

Neighborhood community center opens

2008
Orange Terrace Community Center

Riverside unveiled the latest project from the city's "Riverside Renaissance" initiative as the Orange Terrace Community Center opened to the public early Saturday.

Located on the grounds of the Orange Terrace Community Park, the $11 million facility includes a gymnasium, banquet hall and multipurpose room. Also included -- and scheduled to open October 25th -- is the city's seventh branch library.

The 28,000 sq. ft. center is the latest improvement to the park located in the city's fast-growing Orangecrest neighborhood in southeastern Riverside. Recent additions include additional ballfields, basketball courts and children's playground equipment.

Read more on the opening of the community center from The Press-Enterprise here.

60/91/215 project completion delayed

Dec. 2007
60/91/215 interchange

Caltrans recently announced another delay in finishing the $381 million rebuilding of the 60/91/215 interchange in downtown Riverside and nearly 8 miles of Interstate 215 from downtown eastward to Moreno Valley.

The project, which used a new method of "design sequencing," was originally expected to be completed in January 2007 at a cost of $317 million. When finished later this Fall, the project will be nearly 2 years past due and at least $63 million over budget.

The good news is that 20 years after the first serious plans for rebuilding the interchange began, motorists will finally be able to breathe a collective sigh of relief once work is finished. Let's just hope it doesn't take nearly as long on the region's next major transportation project -- whatever that might turn out to be.

A recent article in The Press-Enterprise provides more details on the delay.

Preserving Riverside's mid-century modern architecture

2004
Downtown Fire Station No. 1

For those who may have missed it, check out our friend Tanya Sorrell of ModernRiverside.com, who recently talked to The Press-Enterprise regarding the need to preserve portions of Riverside's mid-century modern architecture -- before it's too late.

In particular, Tanya is focusing initial efforts on protecting the downtown fire station located at the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Lime Street. The building is an excellent example of mid-century, "form follows function" design, where the outward shape of the building is determined by its interior functions.

Overall, we're glad to see someone, not only taking the time and effort to bring attention to this truly under-appreciated architectural style, but working to preserve it as well. No doubt, architecture is a highly subjective area. Moreover, it's much more difficult to appreciate current and/or more-recent styles. But, as we've said before (here and here), some of Riverside's most striking mid-century architecture -- facing similar circumstances as the once-despised, but now cherished Victorian movement -- may very well vanish before people realize its significance.

Be sure to check out The Press-Enterprise article as well as Tanya's blog entry addressing the downtown fire station.

Riverside County is in negotiations to buy the 10-story Regency Tower currently under construction in downtown Riverside. If the sale goes as planned, the privately-developed building will house the District Attorney's office, which is currently scattered in as many as 10 offices around town.

Aug. 2008
Regency Tower
Orange at Tenth streets

Though the reported purchase price of $128 million will no doubt save the county money relative to last year's $216 million proposal for a new DA office building, the cost to Riverside could be significant. The city would lose new high-end office space aimed at attracting more professional clientele downtown. It would also mean lost property taxes for the city as government buildings are typically off the tax rolls.

With or without the purchase by the county, however, the city is likely to see more office buildings constructed as local real estate experts say demand is high for Class A office space downtown:

In fact, developer Moshe Silagi -- who is building Regency Tower on spec -- says the sale may spur another building of his downtown. This comes on the heels of a recent proposal by another developer for a $40 million, 6-story office building at the corner of University Avenue and Lime Street, on the former Brown's Engine site adjacent to the 91 Freeway.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - DA's office plan would save Riverside County money, but at what cost to city? (Sept. 4, 2008)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside County in talks to buy unfinished building for DA's office (Aug. 26, 2008)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Update: Regency Tower - July 2008


• RaincrossSquare.com - Ground broken for downtown office building (Feb. 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Site cleared for downtown office building (April 2007)

Four area colleges -- including three in Riverside -- received high marks in the latest college rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

2001
Carillon Tower - UC Riverside


2005
California Baptist University

UC Riverside, California Baptist University, La Sierra University, all located in Riverside, and the University of Redlands, were each ranked within their respective categories, including:

• UC Riverside -- 86th in "Best National Universities" and 9th in "Up-and-Coming Schools"
• Univ. of Redlands -- 8th "Best Universities -- Master's (West)" and 2nd "Great Schools, Great Prices, Universities -- Master's"
• California Baptist Univ. -- 41st in "Best Universities -- Master's (West)"
• La Sierra Univ. -- 1st in "Racial Diversity, Universities -- Master's (West)"

For UCR, the "Up-and-Coming" ranking validates what many on campus already know, but yet hasn't quite translated into off-campus circles. For example, the newly-appointed dean of UCR's College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Thomas Baldwin, told the following to The Press-Enterprise:

Indeed, the ranking should come as no real surprise to those close to UCR, as the campus has consistently ranked among the top universities nationwide over the past decade in receiving Fellows from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the most distinguished honors in the scientific community. In several recent years, UCR has received the most appointments, beating out such stalwarts as MIT, Princeton, Yale, Harvard and UC Berkeley.

Related

• UC Riverside


• University of Redlands


• California Baptist University


• La Sierra University

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - UCR moves up in rankings (Oct. 2007)


• RaincrossSquare.com - UC Riverside given high marks (Aug. 2006)

Last Tuesday, the Riverside City Council approved in concept the recommendations for the future expansions of downtown's Main Library and Riverside Metropolitan Museum as outlined by a community task force.

The recommendations, which have also been endorsed by the governing boards of both institutions, call for the library to double in size to 120,000 square feet and the museum expansion to total 70,000 square feet. The task force also recommended the final proposal should provide adequate parking facilities and retain the Chinese Pavilion in its current spot.

The approvals come after several months of public hearings that began following a public meeting held in January on the original joint-use expansion proposal. Public opposition to the plan led to the formation of a 22-member task force that was given the job of revising the original proposal.

Next up will be two workshops -- an October meeting to formalize actual space needs and a second set for November to discuss design and funding aspects.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside City Council OKs museum/library task force advice (Aug. 13)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Committee finalizes expansion guidelines (June 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Task force favors separate library, museum expansions (June 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Library-museum task force convenes (April 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Library should remain downtown (July 2007)

Rendering
Silagi Development


Project site
Google

A drive past the site of the Regency Tower site in downtown Riverside shows work is well underway on the 3-level, underground parking garage for the $70 million office building.

The past few weeks has seen the arrival of an on-site crane used for the building's skeletal steel frame. Over the next several months, downtown visitors will see the steel frame, which is currently at ground level, rise up into the city's skyline.

Site preparation for the project began in April 2007 with actual construction starting on the subterranean parking this past February. Completion of the 10-story, 250,000 sq. ft. building is expected in late 2009.

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Ground broken for downtown office building (Feb. 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Site cleared for downtown office building (April 2007)

Jan. 2007

Feb. 2008

July 2008

July 2008
Underground
parking