Plumbing Work Sparked University Riverside Gardens Fire that Displaced 150 Residents
The accidental blaze burned undetected through the attic for hours before breaking through the roof of the Iowa Avenue complex.
This Week in City Hall: June 1, 2026
HR policy hearings, a Linden Street lane reconfiguration, Downtown Experiment's permit fight, a charter school proposal, and an ethics board workshop headline this week's public meetings.
City Commission Acts on Data Showing Black Residents Stopped at Twice Their Population Share
The Community Police Review Commission voted unanimously to send four policy recommendations to the Safety, Wellness and Youth Committee after years of data showing Black residents are stopped at more than double their share of the population.
Riverside's VMT Bank Earns Regional Sustainability Award
The Southern California Association of Governments recognized the city's Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Bank, which lets developers pay a flat fee in lieu of state environmental review.
Parks Department Proposes $2.7M in Cuts to Close Budget Gap
The city's parks department is proposing $2.7 million in reductions over two years, including the elimination of the Latin Festival and scaled-back arts and recreation programming.
Planning Commission Approves 300-Unit Housing Project on Former Scrap Metal Site
The project would preserve the historic Barley Mills Building and redevelop a contaminated Commerce Street site that operated as a scrap yard for more than 45 years.
City Seeks $14M Federal Grant for Crosswalks, Bike Lanes and Traffic Safety Upgrades
Riverside is pursuing Safe Streets and Roads for All funding that could bring bike lane improvements, upgraded crosswalks and AI traffic cameras to high-collision intersections.
This Week in City Hall: May 25, 2026
The commission takes up stop-data findings under the state's racial profiling law, a complaint policy update, and a look at its first-quarter work plan.
City Enacts 45-Day Freeze on Pallet Yards, Citing Fire Risk
The unanimous vote freezes new pallet storage operations for 45 days as planners draft stricter rules following 29 fire incidents since 2025.
City Moves to Require Advance Notice for Unhoused Drop-Offs
A proposed ordinance would require agencies and organizations to notify the city 24 hours before transporting unhoused individuals into Riverside.
City Proposes 5.7% Fee Hike, Automatic Inflation Increases
A public hearing is set for June 23 on changes that would affect dozens of city services.
City Budget Plan Trims Spending, Taps Reserves to Cover $27M Shortfall
The fiscal years 2026-28 biennial budget relies on cost reductions, reserve draws and one-time fixes to address General Fund and Measure Z gaps.