Category: Civic Structures

Government buildings, libraries, educational facilities, public spaces and other civic-oriented landscapes

Recent Entries:

2010
Main lobby


2010
Balcony


Flash: Fox: May 2007 - Jan. 2010

Crowds flocked to the new Fox Performing Arts Center in downtown Riverside this past weekend to catch an inside look at the newly-renovated facility following a 3-year, $32 million renovation.

Friday night was the grand opening, fund-raising gala while Saturday and Sunday were open house days. Judging by the looks on the faces of those who attended, no one walked away disappointed. This coming weekend will be the center's first official event -- two nights of Sheryl Crow.

Make no mistake, this was an extensive -- and expensive -- top-to-bottom, inside-and-out renovation. No detail was left undone. And as a result, the Fox is now a first-class music and Broadway-caliber venue. And one that Riverside -- and Inland Southern California as a whole -- can indeed be proud of.

Will the Fox make money? Most likely not. Will the Fox require subsidies? Most likely so. But that's not the point. Libraries, museums and parks also are not self-sustaining facilities. Neither are most convention centers and sports venues. However, cities don't build cultural facilities to directly make money, but instead, to enrich the lives of their citizens.

So get out there and enjoy the new Fox.

Flash: Fox: May 2007 - Jan. 2010

Update: A recent entry on the LA Times "Culture Monster" blog digs into some of the renovation's details: A Riverside movie palace is reborn (Jan. 26)

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside's Fox theater gets a glorious grand opening (Jan. 16) | Tours offer peek inside renovated Fox theater in Riverside (Jan. 17)


• InstantRiverside.com - Riverside's Fox Performing Arts Center opens; renovation finished (Jan. 16) | Go inside Riverside's Fox Performing Arts Center; the Fox is new again (Jan. 17)


• Fox Performing Arts Center | Broadway in Riverside

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Open house at the Fox (May 2007) | Fox Theater restoration moving along (June 2009) | Riverside's Fox Theater restoration in pictures (Nov. 2009) | Get into the Fox (Jan. 2010)

2010
Box office

2010
Main lobby

2010
Balcony

2010
Back stage

2010
Lobby

2010
Theater

2010
Upper lobby

2010
Ceiling

After nearly 3 years of renovation -- and several years of planning -- downtown Riverside's Fox Theater is ready to make its debut as the Fox Performing Arts Center.

2010
Fox Performing Arts Center


1930s
Fox Riverside

Located at the intersection of Mission Inn Avenue and Market Street, the 1,642-seat Fox Center is the crown jewel of Riverside's 5-year, $1.6 billion "renaissance" public works plan. At just over $32 million, the complete renovation -- including Broadway-caliber staging -- of the 1929-era Fox is also one of the most expensive projects in the 5-year plan, which began in late 2006.

Friday evening Jan. 15 marks the official opening of the new center with the "Fox Foundation Inaugural Gala," a $150-ticket special event intended to show off the Fox as well as begin the process of establishing a community endowment to assist in maintaining and operating the new performance center.

(For those unable to attend the gala, free tours are scheduled for the weekend of Jan. 16-17.)

We're excited to see the completion of the Fox, which we see as an important catalyst in the overall revival -- and long-term success -- of downtown and Riverside in general. There's no doubt that within the past decade, downtown has finally established a relatively healthy critical mass of arts and entertainment offerings, to which the Fox will now be added.

However, as community leader Daniel Foster points out, it will certainly take more than just the Fox, the Mission Inn, local museums and the still emerging restaurant and arts scenes. It will take the synergy and richness of all these -- and those still on the horizon, including institutions from both UCR and RCC as well as higher density office/residential development -- to continue the successful turnaround of downtown.

But above all, it will take area residents, both of Riverside and the immediate region, to begin supporting our own local shops, restaurants, museums and arts institutions, many of which are indeed unique to Southern California.

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Fox theater gala, tours set this weekend in Riverside (Jan. 14)


• InstantRiverside.com - Weekend tours of renovated Fox Performing Arts Center will be free (Jan. 14)

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - The road to Riverside's Fox theater's new red carpet | Video | Photos: Fox Renovated | Photos: Fox Historic | Special Section (Jan. 10)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Mission Inn owner Duane Roberts to head Fox theater's foundation board | Video (Jan. 9)


• InstantRiverside.com - The Fox Theater renovation (Sept. 2009)


• City of Riverside - Fox Performing Arts Center | Riverside Renaissance - Fox


• Nederlander - Broadway in Riverside

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Open house at the Fox (May 2007) | Fox Theater restoration moving along (June 2009) | Riverside's Fox Theater restoration in pictures (Nov. 2009)

2010
From Mission Inn Avenue

2010
Opening Gala

2010
Sheryl Crow

2010
Exterior details

2010
Along Mission Inn Avenue

2010
Main entry

2010
Main entry

2010
Exterior details

Work began recently on the final phase of the Main Street Pedestrian Mall renovation in downtown Riverside, continuing the first complete refurbishment of the outdoor mall since its 1966* opening.

2009
Phase two
University block


2009
Phase two
Mission Inn block

The first phase, which wrapped up in the fall, revamped the two blocks (one | two) located between Tenth Street and University Avenue. Also included was a partial reopening of Ninth Street through the mall as well as sidewalk and street improvements on Main Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.

The current phase encompasses the two blocks between University Avenue and Sixth Street. Crews began removing some trees (one | two) and tearing up the walkway for necessary utility upgrades. Unfortunately, a Corona-based contractor also heavily damaged the 100-year-old "Seth Thomas" clock (photo of damaged clock here). Elite Bobcat Service has agreed to pay for the repairs. We only hope such repairs can be done. At the very least, the city should ensure an equally historic replacement is found.

As previously stated, we're a bit unsure how the redo will look in the areas adjacent to the historic Mission Inn, but we do like what we've seen completed thus far. In particular, the look against the backdrop of City Hall is indeed complimentary.

Overall, we like the added decorative touches (one | two). However, we do feel the "folding chair" look of the wall seats is a bit odd (no doubt, partly influenced by anti-skateboard measures). But the adjacent electrical outlets -- handy when using laptops on the Wi-Fi enabled mall -- help make up for the somewhat strange seats.

Our only real complaint is the new look has caused the mall to lose a bit of character. Although the new lights aren't terrible, we're sad to see the unique raincross lamps gone.

The $10 million project is expected to wrap up this summer.

Photo Gallery: Main Street Pedestrian Mall

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Took a clocking, ain't no tocking (Feb. 11)


• City of Riverside - Riverside Renaissance

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Pedestrian mall renovation nearing halfway point (Sept. 2008)


• 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

Interchange project put to bed

2009
60/91/215 interchange

After nearly 5 years of construction -- and 20-year wait for local commuters -- Caltrans says it has finally closed the books on the 60/91/215 interchange/freeway project in downtown Riverside. The final tally for the rebuild comes in at $437 million, approximately 40 percent over initial estimates and almost two years past expected completion.

The massive project, which rebuilt the 1950s-era cloverleaf interchange and nearly 8 miles of Interstate 215 -- including new off-ramps and bridges -- eastward from downtown to Moreno Valley, used a new construction method called "design sequencing." Officials now say the method, originally intended to save both time and money, may have proved too daunting for such a complex project.

Regardless, commuters now have a much smoother ride through downtown Riverside as well as near UC Riverside. However, some additional ancillary work remains, namely the rebuilding of the 60/215 split at the eastern end of the project. Originally included as part of the main project, work on the 60/215 split is scheduled to begin next year with completion expected in 2012.

Transit center likely to remain in place

2009
Downtown Transit Center

After several years of attempting to relocate the downtown bus transit center to the nearby Metrolink commuter train station, both the city and Riverside Transit Agency have opted to keep the center on Fairmount Street just off Market Street. Officials say finding suitable land near the Vine Street train station proved difficult.

RTA says it will instead concentrate on building a new and possibly expanded terminal at its current location. However, not included is a long-term spot for Greyhound, which the city is in the process of finding another location for apart from the regional bus system.

Library/museum project update

2008
Central Library

A few weeks back, Riverside City Manager Brad Hudson updated the city council on the much delayed renovation and expansion plans for downtown's Central Library and Metropolitan Museum.

Hudson unveiled two new proposals: a "basic approach" and an "expanded approach." The new proposals incorporate a third civic building, the nearby Municipal Auditorium, which had been slated for its own upgrades and renovation.

The "basic" plan, which is pegged at $45 million, would renovate all three buildings as well as provide essential upgrades and seismic retrofitting for the
museum and auditorium. The $75 million "expanded" plan would include renovation/upgrades of all three plus expansions of both the library and museum. A variation of this plan also includes the possibility of demolishing the current library building (an idea we're not very fond of) for a new and larger one. The latter, more expensive proposal would likely require the passing of a property tax bond to help pay for the expansion plans.

The council is scheduled to take up the new proposals during its Feb. 24th meeting.

Last Sunday, we had the chance to "ride the rails" at Hunter Hobby Park, one of Riverside's most unique attractions.

2008
Hunter Hobby Park


2008
7 1/2 gauge steam trains


2008
Kids particularly enjoy the trains

Located in northeast Riverside, the 40-acre park began life in the late 1950s as an adjunct "backyard" of sorts to local engineer -- and steam train enthusiast -- Joseph L. Hunter, who laid track down for a personal, small gauge steam engine. The track, which was initially 4,300 feet in length, soon began attracting other train enthusiasts.

Following the 1965 death of Joseph -- who, along with his brother Edwin, built Hunter Engineering, a pioneer of several key, industry-leading patents in the manufacturing of aluminum products -- the park was donated to the city of Riverside. Not being experts in the area of steam engines, the city set up a partnership with local train enthusiasts -- led by Dr. John Creighton of Riverside -- to maintain the system, while the city maintained the park.

Formed in 1966, this all-volunteer group -- Riverside Live Steamers -- immediately began operating, maintaining and expanding the facilities. The club also started providing free rides on selected days each month (currently, the trains operate on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month).

Today, with a track length of approx. 1 1/2 miles consisting of several switchable configurations, the club includes both personal- and city-owned, 7 1/2 gauge (1/8-sized) engines, with the overriding requirement being "steam-only." Recently, the club built a new "car barn" to augment an already impressive workshop facility.

On the drawing boards -- as part of the city's Riverside Renaissance Initiative -- are several major park improvements, including a new boarding station, train themed playground and a lake for remote-controlled boats. New restrooms, picnic facilities, a concession stand, expanded parking, tennis and basketball courts and improvements to the nearby ball fields are also part of the plan.

So, if you have a couple hours free on an upcoming "run day" Sunday, take a trip to one of the area's most unique attractions for a bit of railroading.

Related

• Riverside Live Steamers

2008
Steam only

2008
Leaving the station

2008
Passenger cars

2008
Caboose

@1960
Jim Keith
(w/ one of J.L. Hunter's
original workshops
in background)*

@1973
Carl Allen
(w/ view of
Columbia/Iowa
in background)*

@early 1980s
Barney Root and
John Stroud (standing)
(w/ Columbia Ave.
in background)*

* B&W photos courtesy of Riverside Live Steamers

Last month, California's State Historical Resources Commission added Riverside's downtown Central Fire Station to the state's Register of Historic Resources. Currently entering its sixth decade of operation, the building has come under threat recently as the city prepares to build a new fire station on the block directly behind the current location. And though the historic designation cannot keep the existing station from being torn down, it certainly helps protect it by making any re-development and/or demolition a bit more difficult.

2004
Central Fire Station
(aka Downtown Fire Station No. 1)


2008
Rear view


circa 1980
Central Fire Station*
Courtesy of Daniel Balboa

We've always had an eye for the building's simplistic, yet unique exterior, which is an excellent example of "form follows function" design. However, it wasn't until recent in-depth research in which our appreciation for the edifice was cemented.

Designed by local architect Bolton C. Moise, Jr., the structure came online in 1957 as a replacement for a station* located around the corner at Eighth (University) and Lemon streets. The layout of the new building incorporated the stacking of the dormitory quarters atop the ground-level offices -- while still maintaining immediate access to the engines -- thereby allowing for an adjacent, column-free engine bay* (a necessity for modern fire equipment). The new building also included modern fire communication equipment and updated living amenities.

During its early years, the station's design was heralded by city leaders and architects alike. But, as with many Mid-Century Modern buildings, the building has seen its share of indifference over the years as well.

Recently, the site has seen at least two mixed-use proposals, both of which included the demolition of the existing fire station. We're unsure as to the current status of the latest plan, which in light of current economic conditions, may have stalled.

Which brings us to today's question of what is to become of the building after the fire department relocates (and/or the latest development proposal stalls)?

Local historian Tanya Sorrell of ModernRiverside.com has a few ideas. She makes a good point the historic designation may actually make adaptive re-use a better alternative (and possibly more economically feasible). We agree with her suggestion the building could easily be reborn as a unique, destination-type cafe or restaurant (yes, with slide poles intact).

Even better, we particularly like her idea of it becoming a "modern" component to either the nearby Riverside Art Museum or possibly even the Riverside Metropolitan Museum. What better way to showcase contemporary art (or history) in a unique, Mid-Century Modern building while also preserving a bit of the city's recent architectural history?

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside fire station named historical site, despite city's request (Nov. 14)


• ModernRiverside.com - Fire Station No. 1 (aka Central Fire Station) placed on the California Register (Nov. 2008)


• ModernRiverside.com - Spotlight: Central Fire Station (Dec. 2007)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Riverside Roundup -- 09/13/2008

* Photos courtesy of Daniel Balboa

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)

2008
Main entrance


2008
Fairmount Lake


2008
Lake Evans


2008
Plenty of shade

Arguably Riverside's most interesting park, Fairmount is staging a comeback. After several years of neglect, the city recently completed various park improvements, including new gazebos, picnic tables and playgrounds as well as refurbishing of the boathouse, itself a 1995 replica of the original 1911 boathouse.

One of the most expensive improvements was the dredging of both Lake Evans and Fairmount Lake, which were last dredged in 1983. The city spent $2 million to clean and remove 50,000 tons of silt that accumulated at the bottom of the lakes. Both lakes were then restocked with two tons of catfish.

Fairmount Park originated in smaller form as early as 1898 on land near the Santa Ana River on the northwest edge of downtown. But it wasn't until land donated in 1903 by longtime Riverside businessman S.C. Evans Sr. in which the park of today began to take shape. Evans' donation allowed for the creation of the park's first lake -- Fairmount Lake.

A major expansion in 1911 saw elements from an Olmsted Brothers plan added, including a boathouse and Japanese-style lotus garden with arched, wooden bridges (later replaced with cement versions). Although at least two bridges remain, damaging floods over the years have wiped out the lotus garden. It's too bad the city found neither the money -- nor the will -- to replace it.

A 1924 expansion added another 60 acres, this time donated from S.C. Evans Jr. The additional acreage allowed for the creation of the park's second lake -- the much larger Lake Evans. Future expansions would eventually give the 180-acre park its current landscape that now includes a third lake.

Hailing from a different era, Fairmount is chock full of old-school park features, including forest-like trees and foliage, a bandshell, rose garden, lawn bowling club, boathouse, and of course, the three rustic lakes. At various times, the park also sported a small petting zoo and amusement area -- with a carousel (1947) and later a tiny roller coaster -- but these have long-since been removed.

Today, the park is seeing a rebirth thanks in part to the recent improvements funded from the city's $1.8 billion, 5-year Riverside Renaissance plan.

We're glad to see the city's flagship park regaining back some of its former glory.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Fishing derby to mark completion of cleanup of Riverside's Fairmount Park (June 19)


• City of Riverside - Parks & Recreation


• National Association for Olmsted Parks

2008
Park map

2008
Boathouse

2008
New paths

2008
Resurfaced

2008
Entrance

2008
Rose Garden

2008
Pier

2008
Leisure time

2006
Central Library


2004
Riverside Metropolitan Museum

After several months of public meetings, the 22-member Library/Museum task force held its final session this past week, producing what it calls "guiding principles" for the planned expansions of downtown's Central Library and Riverside Metropolitan Museum. The key recommendation calls for separate expansions of both facilities, with enough space for each to meet their needs.

As part of the recommendation, the panel urged the city to expedite funding and approval of the expansions and also emphasized its desire to see the Chinese Memorial Pavilion remain in its current spot, which we're glad to see.

The city's Board of Library Trustees has already endorsed the guidelines with the museum board set to vote on the matter July 8. The guidelines will then go before the City Council for review on August 12.

Recently, two opposing viewpoints concerning the existing library building appeared in The Press-Enterprise (one | two). Though both articles make good points, it should be no surprise that we agree with Steve Lech in that demolishing the current building would be akin to demolishing the original Carnegie back in 1965. It shouldn't have been done then -- and it shouldn't be done now.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside Library/Museum Task Force finalizes guidelines (June 26)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Trustees endorse task force's 'guiding principles' for library, museum expansions (June 24)

Previous

• 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)

A City Council-appointed task force assigned with revising Riverside's library-museum expansion plans issued its draft recommendation this week calling for separate expansions for both institutions. The recommendation, which would reverse the city's earlier combined expansion proposal, comes after several recent public meetings on the issue.

2006
Central Library


2006
Riverside Metropolitan Museum


2007
Museum exhibit

Most critics of the original $25 million proposal -- part of the city's Riverside Renaissance Initiative -- feared joint expansion would shortchange both entities. That plan called for an approximately 35,000 sq. ft. expansion: 9,500 sq. ft. children's section, 10,500 sq. ft. community/office space (with 250-seat auditorium) and up to 15,000 sq. ft. exhibition/flex space. Drawn up by Pfeiffer Partners Architects, Inc., the plan expanded outward in front of the current library, including displacement of the Chinese Memorial Pavilion.

Since then, several community members, residents and various civic groups have voiced opinions on the matter. The "Committee to Renew the Library" and "The Raincross Group" have both considered plans of their own, the latter recommending a 60,000 sq. ft. library expansion (basement plus two stories) in front of the current library (sparing the Chinese Pavilion); and, a 30,000 sq. ft. museum expansion (3 stories) behind the current museum. Estimates for both expansions are $38 million -- approximately $13 million more than the original joint-expansion project.

The task force's draft recommendation of separate expansions now moves ahead for a public hearing scheduled for June 18, after which a final task force meeting on June 25 will address any changes before forwarding the panel's final recommendation to the City Council (scheduled for August 12).

Whatever the final outcome, we agree both institutions should remain downtown at their current locations. Likewise, we'd prefer to see neither building's architecture severely compromised with any future expansions. Though many may say the current architecture of the library does not fit its immediate surroundings, we believe it has its own architectural merits (one, two, three) on which to stand, and thus, should not be significantly altered.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Local View: Vital Expansions (June 9)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside panel recommends separate museum, library expansion plans (June 7)


• Committee to Renew the Library


• Riverside Public Library


• Riverside Renaissance Initiative

Previous

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


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

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside Library/Museum Task Force finalizes guidelines (June 26, 2008)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Local View: Admire style (June 28, 2008)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Local View: Downtown library: A boxy monstrosity (June 20, 2008)

After nearly 2 years of construction and renovation, Riverside's Arlington Branch Library reopened to the public this past week following an 8,000 sq. ft. addition to the 99-year-old building. The new wing nearly triples the size of the current library to 13,000 sq. ft.

2008
Original building


2008
New addition


2008
Shades of the past

The new addition mimics the original building's Greek Revival styling, which was designed by local architect Seeley L. Pillar. When it first opened on June 1, 1909, the new library was the city's first "branch" library and was built to serve the southern and western portions of Riverside.

Though not technically a Carnegie library, the city built the Arlington Branch after obtaining $7,500 from the Carnegie Foundation for expanding the downtown library. The grant used for the downtown expansion freed up $7,500 for the new Arlington library, which also included a fire station attached to the back of the building.

A year-long, $8,000 renovation began in 1927 to upgrade the library after it was declared structurally unsafe, causing a temporary closure. Subsequent renovations and expansions over the years included an extensive rehab during the late 1950s; the re-use of the space housing the former fire station in 1968 (which had relocated to a separate building about a quarter-mile east on Magnolia Avenue in 1938); and another renovation in 1996.

Today, the new wing houses the majority of the library's collection of 45,000 titles. An expanded children's section, lower shelving heights and several seating areas help give the new addition a bookstore atmosphere, while natural lighting provided by expansive windows and skylights gives the library an open-air feel. Thirty-four computers and 2 self-checkout stations round out the expanded facility.

The former main room in the original building is now a 110-seat community room. Historic photographs of Riverside's past act as translucent shades on the windows that surround the room.

In a nod to the building's past, the library's new entrance uses the old stable building from the days when the structure housed the fire station. Located in this new foyer are two glass cases housing both fire- and citrus-related memorabilia from the city's past.

The reopening of the Arlington Branch is the latest improvement made to the city's 7-branch library system, which is in the midst of its largest building and renovation campaign in its history. Other projects include the soon-to-open Orange Terrace Branch Library, the relocation of the Marcy Branch Library and the expansion/renovation of downtown's Central Library. It also comes on the heels of the recent expansions/renovations at the Eastside Library/Cybrary and the La Sierra Branch Library as well as the opening of the Casa Blanca Library & Family Learning Center a few years back.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Renovated Arlington branch library ready to open doors to Riverside public (June 4)


• Riverside Public Library

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Relocation of Marcy Branch likely (May 2008)


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


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

2006
Former stable

2008
New foyer

2008
New wing

2008
Computer stations

2008
Stylish seating

2008
Community room

In the midst of planning an expansion for the downtown branch, news surfaced recently regarding the future of another branch within Riverside's library system, this time involving the possible relocation of the tiny, but unique, Marcy Branch.

2008
Current Marcy Branch


2008
Future Marcy Branch?

Located on Central Avenue just west of the Riverside Plaza, the Marcy Branch opened in 1958 replacing the temporary Magnolia Center Branch established nearby in late 1951. The branch was named after longtime Riverside resident Charles F. Marcy, whose bequest helped provide funding for the new building.

The fanciful design of the circular, single-story library includes elements of post and beam construction that was popular at the time and is yet another fine example of mid-century architecture by noted Riverside architect Herman O. Ruhnau. The interior looks to be mostly intact, including what appears to be original lighting above the central reference desk.

The relocation proposal shifts the contents of the Marcy Branch into the former Auto Club building located about a half-mile away near the intersection of Magnolia and Arlington avenues. The plan calls for the library to occupy the first floor of the two-story, 19,000 sq. ft. building while city officials say offices for the city's Parks Department could occupy the second level.

Overall, we like the relocation plan. There's no doubt the Marcy Branch is severely cramped. The proposed move would nearly double the floor space over the existing Central Avenue location and even allow the possibility for future expansion upstairs. But, what's to become of the current Marcy building? That's a question not yet answered.

Although easy to overlook and under appreciate in its current setting, we feel the existing Marcy building deserves to be preserved. Surely, the city can find an internal use for it, one that doesn't entail significant modification or costs. In fact, one such possibility comes from our friend Tanya at ModernRiverside.com. She has an excellent idea for reusing the Marcy building to house the library's Local History Resource Center, which is currently located in the basement of the downtown branch. Not only would this save the iconic Ruhnau-designed building, it would also allow greater access to more of the library's extensive local history collection.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Plan would give Riverside's Marcy Branch Library room to grow


• City of Riverside - Riverside Public Library

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Purchase approved for library branch (June 5)

2008
Clean

2008
Crisp

2008
Colorful