Ward 1 Quarterly Update

Each quarter, I like to share with you updates on the ways your tax dollars are at work in each of Ward 1’s four distinct neighborhoods. These are projects that are under construction now or have been completed since I last sent an update. This is intended to be a snapshot in time and is not an exhaustive list of everything we are working on or everything that is occurring within Ward 1. Let’s take a look!

Downtown

• We are nearing completion of the fifth phase of the historic street light replacement program, which has removed cracked, leaning, and failing streetlights and replaced them with more historically accurate ones.
• The former Boy Scout Camp between Mt. Rubidoux and Fairmount Park is being cleared of invasive trees and vegetation, like palm trees and bamboo. This project is funded by a CalFire grant and has an on-site biologist to ensure this critical fire safety measure is also in compliance with state environmental regulations. Residents in this area will soon be safer from fires.
• Fleming’s Steakhouse, which will soon begin construction at the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Market Street inside The Mark, has submitted its construction plans to the city, and review is happening now. Fleming’s joins a slew of new businesses that have recently moved into the downtown area.
• The armory building at Fairmount Park will soon be transformed into a Thompson’s Brewery following a competitive tenant search process and lease negotiations. The city remains the owner of the property while Thompson’s is the tenant. This will be the first time the public will have regular access to this 1958 building in decades.

Eastside

• The new SPC. Jesus S. Duran Eastside Library is under construction now at Bobby Bonds Park. Completion is expected in mid-2027.
• The new Dell Roberts Gymnasium has broken ground and will soon be fully under construction at Bordwell Park. Completion is expected in mid-2027.
• The Cesar Chavez Community Center has commenced its $25 million renovation. Completion is expected in mid-2027.
• The skate park at Bobby Bonds Park is now in the planning and visioning stages for renovation. Ways to give input on the new design are being shared on the City’s park and recreation social media channels.

Northside

• Phase 1 of construction on the Northside Agriculture Innovation Center on Clark Street is nearing completion. Last month, 453 trees were planted on the site, and now, the walking trail installation has begun.
• The proposed developments for the adventure park at the site of the former Riverside golf course, as well as the soccer complex at the site of the former AB Sports Complex, are progressing through the necessary traffic and environmental surveys to understand the extent of the projects.
• Road repaving will soon be complete on Alamo Street and portions of Strong Street, along with other neighborhood streets. To learn more about future paving projects, click this road repaving map.

Wood Streets

• Various sidewalk, curb, and gutter repairs are happening now throughout the Wood Streets—weather permitting! This work includes locations around Central Middle School, Bandini, and Tower, as well as the streets currently receiving upgraded sewer lines.
• The landmark 1940 Juan Bautista de Anza statue in Newman Park, at Magnolia Avenue and 14th Street, is currently being restored through a private donation from Mr. Fritz Duda to the Beautify Riverside initiative. Other park improvements are still to come, including ways to make this nearby pocket park more welcoming and useful to the neighborhood.
• Concerns about vehicle speeding from residents were addressed with the recent installation of speed humps on Ramona Drive between Magnolia and Brockton Avenues. Additional speed hump requests from neighbors are currently under review by the City’s traffic division.

Questions about an item on this list or about something else in your neighborhood? Please email me at Ward1@RiversideCa.gov.

It is evident we are putting your monies to good use to make our city a better place to live—and we will keep it up!

NOTE: Please do not respond to this GovDelivery email as it will not be received. To respond, please email the Ward 1 Office directly at Ward1@riversideca.gov.