City of Riverside, California Ward 6 Update

Jim Perry City Council Member - Ward 6

A Message From Your Council Member… 

We start off the summer with great news! The Home Front at Camp Anza Project in Ward 6 has received a commitment for the necessary funding needed to begin development. The project site is located at 5797 Picker Street behind our beautiful Arlanza Library. Home Front at Camp Anza will provide services to veteran personnel and allow their families to live on-site while they are receiving treatment. The developer, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation along with the health service provider, Mercy House Living Centers, will be hosting a public Groundbreaking Event in the coming months. We look forward to having the community join us in celebration. Look for details in our Fall Newsletter.  

Jim Perry

JPerry@Riversideca.gov 

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Job Report 

An update on our jobs numbers for the current fiscal year.  To date, the City has worked with local businesses that have created and retained 2,076 jobs.  Additionally, we have over 3,000 jobs in the pipeline that we are competing to win.  Job creation is at the top of our priority list.  Below are some facts from our Economic Development Department:

 

Since 2012

·         100 businesses have opened in Riverside every month. 

·         200 new jobs have been created or retained every month.

·         Our metro area grew faster than any metro over 1 million population during 2013 – 4% growth - even faster than San Francisco, Houston, and San Jose, CA.

·         We still have 16,000 residents who are looking for work, so there is still much work for us to do.

Retail and restaurant growth is an indicator of our overall economic growth-

·         Retail vacancy is nearing single digits city-wide.  Many shopping centers are close to 100% occupied – Tyler Galleria, Downtown, Mission Grove and Canyon Crest

·         We are seeing an increase of national chain restaurants as prospects for new sites including Chipotle, Corner Bakery Five Guys, Jimmy John’s, Jersey Mikes and Café Rio.

 

Riverside’s Unemployment Rate Declined  

 

The unemployment rate for the City of Riverside declined (1.1%) over the last month to 8.4%.  The unemployment rate for the County decreased (1.1%) to 8.3%.  This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.3% for the State and 5.9% for the nation during the same reporting period; this represents a decrease of 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively, from March 2014.

 

Activities for Youth, Adults and Seniors 

 

The Arlanza Community Center and Bryant Park offer a variety of fitness and exercise classes for youth, adults, and seniors. Take a look at a few of the activities listed below:   

 

Fitness Center

Youth, ages 14 - 17, have the opportunity to utilize the fitness center with free membership from 3:00p.m.-6:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday afternoons.  Adult fitness times are Monday through Friday from 10:00a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and on Monday through Thursday from 6:00p.m.-8:45p.m. (fee $10 per month for adults). Senior fitness hours are from 8:00a.m.–1:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday and Monday through Thursday from 6:00p.m.– 8:45p.m. The senior fitness membership is free to those ages 55 and above.

 

Tae Kwon Do

Tae Kwon Do classes are held on Monday and Wednesday from 7:00p.m. – 8:30p.m. The fee is $35 per month and ages 5 and above. International Traditional Karate classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00p.m.–4:45p.m. The fee is $25 per month for ages 5 and above. 

 

Boxing Classes

The Competitive Youth Boxing classes are held on Monday through Thursday from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. for youth ages 10 to 17. The Competitive Adult Boxing program is held Monday through Thursday from 6:00p.m.-8:45p.m. for ages 18 to 24. Competitive Boxing memberships for both youth and adults are $10 per month.

 

Feel free to call (951) 351-6135 or stop by the community center for more details on enrolling into a program.

 

Summer Food Program

 

Starting June 16, the Summer Food Program, provided by a grant from the California Department of Education Nutrition Services, will begin distribution at several locations throughout the City. Youth ages 18 and younger will have the opportunity to receive a free lunch from 12:00p.m.–1:30p.m. on Monday through Friday at Bryant Park, La Sierra Park and Hunt Park. Meals are served on a first come, first-served basis.

 

Arlanza Family Health Clinic

 

The Arlanza Family Health Clinic, located at 8856 Arlington Avenue in Riverside, provides high quality low cost Medical and Dental Care.  The clinic is open Monday-Friday from 8a.m. to 5p.m. Visit the clinic to meet the staff and learn about their programs and services.  Below is a list of a few of the services offered to residents:

Family Practice		Pediatric Dental		Coming Soon
Exams and Immunizations		Cleaning		Vision Care
Chronic Conditions		Exams
Family Planning		Extractions
Pregnancy Test & OB/GYN		Fillings
Pediatric		Sealants
Sick Visits		X-rays

Gateway to College

 

Have a struggling high school student? Gateway College & Career Academy is a public charter school that helps youth, 16 through 21 years old, who are behind in high school credits, not on track to graduate, or have dropped out. Students can earn a high school diploma while obtaining college credits towards a chosen college career path. Each eligible student receives a scholarship to Riverside City College that covers high schools college tuition, books and supplies. Students will received FREE support for services such as tutoring, one-on-one counseling, career guidance and leadership-building skills. For more information on this program approved by the Riverside County Office of Education email apply@thinkbeyonddiploma.com or call (951) 222-8934.

 

Sailing Regatta and BBQ

 

Once again, I will be participating in this year’s Sailing Regatta coordinated by the Riverside Community Sailing Program on Saturday, June 21 at 1:00pm. The Riverside Community Sailing Program is community based, public non-profit funded by donations and volunteer labor that offers a sailing program on Lake Evans.  To purchase a ticket ($10) for the Mayor/City Council race which includes a BBQ lunch, door prizes and activities contact Diana Medina at 951-826-2528 or email DMedina@Riversideca.gov. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Riverside Ending Homelessness Program.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

SmartRiverside Graduates
Thanks to our SmartRiverside Program, 80 participants received training on Computer Basics and had the opportunity to take home a free computer for their families. A special thanks Norte Vista High School for hosting the trainings.

Community Events
06/03 City Council @ Council Chambers/3900 Main St. (6:30pm)
06/10 City Council @ Council Chambers/3900 Main St. (6:30pm)
06/17 City Council @ Council Chambers/3900 Main St. (6:30pm)
06/21 Sailing Regatta and BBQ/ Fairmount Park (11:00am-2:30pm)
06/24 City Council @ Council Chambers/3900 Main St. (6:30pm)