Council will consider the potential conversion of a hotel into permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals, an $8.1 million contract for a Patterson Park renovation, and updates to industrial development standards that address community concerns about warehouse proliferation.
The trusses for Ken‘s roof have arrived at the house. (Ken Crawford)
Monday Gazette: May 19, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday! I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all your support and inquiries about the rebuilding of my house after the fire. We are eager to be back home—and it can’t come soon enough—but I'm thrilled to share that we've finally reached a significant milestone: the roof materials arrived on a flatbed truck last weekend, and installation begins this week! "A roof over our head" is taking on new meaning for my family as a symbol of progress in what has been a long process.
As we head into summer and things quiet down a bit, it’s the perfect time to hear from you. Do you have ideas for interesting community stories? Know of an unsung local hero or a neighborhood project worth highlighting? Please email us at newsroom@raincrossgazette.com with your suggestions. We'd love to tell these stories during the quieter summer months, and your input is invaluable to keeping the stories flowing.
Council will consider the potential conversion of a hotel into permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals, an $8.1 million contract for a Patterson Park renovation, and updates to industrial development standards that address community concerns about warehouse proliferation.
Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worthy of your attention in the next week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about.
City Council
City Council will meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, May 30, at 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Reviewing a five-year housing and spending plan that directs $8.6 million in federal grants toward affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community programs for low-income residents.
Considering an $8.1 million contract for a Patterson Park renovation that would add a splash pad, soccer field, fitness equipment, and an updated playground.
Reviewing proposed updates to industrial development standards that would create larger buffer zones around schools and neighborhoods, limit warehouse sizes, and increase notification requirements to address community concerns about warehouse proliferation.
The Park and Recreation Commission meets on Monday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. (agenda) to preview the City's 2025 summer aquatics program that will operate at seven City pools from June 9 to August 14.
The Cultural Heritage Board meets on Wednesday, May 21, at 3:30 p.m. (agenda) to:
Discuss designation of the Boyd Residence at 4649 Ninth Street as a City Landmark due to its rare Hollywood Regency architectural style, association with Philip and Dorothy Boyd, who were instrumental in establishing UC Riverside, and its design by notable architect Charles Matcham and builder Harry Marsh.
Consider the proposed expansion of Pacific Grove Hospital (5900 Brockton Ave.) with a 29,300-square-foot building behind the existing historic structure with Mid-century Modern architectural character.
Mental Health Steps Into the Sunlight at Fairmount Park
RUHS fair brings resources out of the shadows, into public view.
Hundreds of community members answered mental health service providers gathered at Fairmount Park for the RUHS event. (Ken Crawford)
Riverside University Health System brought mental health resources to the public eye with its "Art of Wellness" fair at Fairmount Park. The event aimed to connect residents with behavioral health services in a visible, community-oriented setting.
Driving the news: Nearly 58 million American adults experienced mental illness in 2024, but only 43% received treatment, according to RUHS data.
The fair's location in a popular park serves as a statement that mental health should not be hidden away.
Why it matters: Holding the resource fair in a public space helps normalize mental health as a community concern, bringing typically inconspicuous services into plain view.
The event showcased county behavioral health services, nonprofit support organizations, and community wellness programs.
What they're saying: "We are creating spaces where individuals feel connected and empowered to prioritize their health," Riverside County Board Chair V. Manuel Perez said.
Dr. Matthew Chang, RUHS Behavioral Health director, described the event as "breaking down barriers" and "providing tangible tools for self-care."
The bottom line: Residents can access RUHS Behavioral Health services year-round by calling the 24/7 helpline at 951-686-HELP (4357) or visiting ruhealth.org.
Opinion: Reservoirs Are Full, but California Still Needs New Water Infrastructure
With state reservoirs well stocked for the third year in a row, water leaders urge investment in projects like the Delta Conveyance and Sites Reservoir to ensure supply keeps pace with future droughts and environmental demands.
For the third year in a row, California has significantly more than average amounts of water stored in reservoirs across the state. This is enough water to carry us through about three years of major drought — which we all know is coming. Local and regional water providers continue to develop new projects to capture and store excess water when it is available, and the governor and the state Department of Water Resources are now actively supporting two key projects.
On the positive side, the Department of Water Resources recently announced an increase in State Water Project allocation from 40% of users’ total requests to 50%. This is important locally because the Metropolitan Water District has water beyond immediate customer demand at about 40% allocation, and that extra water can be available for purchase and storage for dry years.
Riverside's pioneering autonomous shuttle program was spotlighted in a front-page LA Times feature by Anthony Solorzano, our newest regular contributor to The Raincross Gazette, documenting the nation's first fully self-driving public transit deployment as Mayor Lock Dawson advances her vision to transform the city into "the new Detroit for vehicle manufacturing."
Award-winning pizzeria Slice House by Tony Gemignani celebrated its grand opening at Canyon Crest Towne Centre on Saturday, where the 13-time world pizza champion's newest location welcomed Riverside residents with giveaways and specialty Italian classics.
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