Community Link Newsletter: May 16-23, 2024

Celebrate Public Works Week with Us

Come to the Great Park Thursday, May 23, to learn more about the City of Irvine's Public Works & Sustainability Department and how they serve our community. 

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Great Park Hangar 244. City staff will be on-site to discuss their careers and how their roles impact daily operations in Irvine. No RSVP is required. View the flier and learn more at cityofirvine.org/publicworksweek. 

Keeping our Buildings Safe

A safe building improves public health, provides protection from natural disasters, and prevents property damage. The City of Irvine Building and Safety division is committed to promoting the development of safe, accessible, and sustainable facilities for the benefit of the community. 

At its meeting May 14, the Irvine City Council proclaimed May as Building Safety Month and recognized the team for bringing importance to building safety where we all live, work, and play. 

In addition to building safety, the team handles building permits and inspections. With PermitsDIRECT! powered by Symbium, you can get same day permits for single-family residential solar and battery storage systems. Learn more on the City website. 

E-Bike Safety Events

Are you or your child eager to hit the streets on an e-bike? Join Irvine Police motor officers as they share the latest safety information about e-bikes, e-scooters, and other e-devices: 

Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m. to noon
Irvine Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza

E-bikes and helmets are not required to attend this free E-bike Safety Class. Parents are required to accompany their child. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required, by emailing whill@cityofirvine.org. 

Additionally, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is holding e-bike safety workshops aimed at sharing safe biking practices and e-bike tips to families. The workshops will take place over Zoom:

Tuesday, June 4, 6-7 p.m. Register for the June 4 workshop

Thursday, June 13, 6-7 p.m. Register for the June 13 workshop

For more information, visit octa.net/ebike. 

The Future of the Great Park Begins

Last week, the City of Irvine and our community came together to break ground on the Cultural Terrace and showcase the wonderful amenities that will be coming to this section of the Great Park in just two years.

When complete, the Cultural Terrace will include 200,000 square feet of facilities dedicated to bringing a diversity of ideas, cultures, and artistic expression to our community and the region.

Construction for the temporary amphitheater, Great Park Live, is also underway and anticipated to be complete in June. The venue will be the summer home of Pacific Symphony and will be a temporary live music venue that can accommodate 5,000 guests. The facility will also serve as a community hub and food and beverage center through 2026. To learn more about Great Park Live and view a calendar of events, visit GreatParkLive.com.

Visit greatparkframework.org for all Great Park development news.

Join us at our Annual Memorial Day Events 

The City of Irvine is honoring fallen service members at two Memorial Day events. These ceremonies will commemorate and pay tribute to those who have given their lives while defending our country. 

Northwood Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony — Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m.
This special candle lighting ceremony will be held at the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial in Northwood Community Park. Guests will be guided through a time of reflection and a remembrance tribute to honor fallen American service members in Afghanistan and Iraq. The ceremony is held in partnership with the Northwood Memorial Committee. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Northwood Community Park is at 4531 Bryan Ave., Irvine.

Memorial Day Ceremony — Monday, May 27, 10 a.m.
The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held in the Formal Garden at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. A Commanding Officer from Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion will speak to recognize fallen service members and their sacrifice. Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park is at 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine. For better access to the event, please enter the parking lot located on Harvard Avenue at San Juan.

Open Your Eyes to Art

Outfit your life with new art! Join us for the 30th annual Studio Arts Festival Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Heritage Community Park, adjacent to the Irvine Fine Arts Center.

This free outdoor event is an opportunity to discover and purchase unique, handcrafted art from more than 100 local artists. Admission and parking are free. Learn more at irvinefinearts.org. 

This Week in DE&I

There are many cultural and religious holidays celebrated and recognized throughout our community this month. Learn about some of the significant dates being observed in Irvine below and on our DE&I calendar.

Pride in Irvine 

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay politician to be elected to public office in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977 to 1978. His life and political career embody the rise of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. On October 11, 2009, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger established Harvey Milk Day to be held as a significant observance on May 22, Milk’s birthday. 

In honor of this day and June Pride Month, the City of Irvine will host the third annual Pride in Irvine event Wednesday, May 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Irvine Civic Center Piazza. Come stand together as the City raises the Progress Flag in front of City Hall in recognition and support of our LGBTQIA+ community. Learn more at cityofirvine.org/pride. 

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Road Construction and Capital Improvement Projects