Opinion: Riverside Is Leveling Up — And You’re Invited to Be Part of It

Riverside is at a tipping point, a moment where years of planning and partnerships are beginning to bear fruit in meaningful ways. Our city is rising to new heights and bringing residents with us every step of the way.

And on Jan. 28, I'll be sharing what that means for our city's future at the 2026 State of the City.

This year's theme is simple, but powerful: Riverside is leveling up.

Leveling up in how we lead. Leveling up in how we invest. Leveling up in how we care for one another.

Riverside has always had heart. You can feel it in our award-winning universities, in the global companies choosing to invest here, and in the local businesses and community partners who fuel our success. What we are building now is scale, impact, and confidence in who we are becoming.

We are seeing meaningful reductions in crime, a modernized and forward-looking fire department, historic investment in our infrastructure, and real progress on challenges that once felt seemingly insurmountable. Through smarter, data-driven strategies, expanded technology, and stronger partnerships, we are building a city that works for our residents and businesses.

Our economy is leveling up through targeted strategies, attracting companies and careers that allow our residents to work, build, and succeed closer to home. Aerospace, healthcare, and green technology are reinforcing Riverside as a city where ideas take flight, industries grow, and opportunities are. Long-awaited investments are coming to fruition in the Inland Empire, expanding medical training, increasing hospital capacity, and finally delivering the behavioral health resources our families, children, and seniors have lacked for decades.

At the same time, we are leveling up how we care for people. That means expanding services, addressing homelessness in collaborative ways, and investing in seniors, youth, and families who rely on city services every day.

We are leveling up how we live. Parks and community centers are being renovated. Libraries are meeting people where they are, even on wheels. Arts, culture, and tourism are energizing our city and strengthening our identity. Creativity has always been a part of Riverside's story and now it is part of our economic engine.

Perhaps more than any single initiative, I've been reflecting on Riverside's growing leadership on the state, national, and even international levels. Our city's voice is being heard in Sacramento and beyond—not by accident, but because we choose to lead. Riverside belongs at the table, and our voice is influencing the policies that shape our future.

This is a moment to reflect on how far we've come and offer a glimpse at where we're going. The story I'll share at the State of the City is one of momentum, resilience, and possibility.

This is a city that is leveling up. And I hope you'll join us on Jan. 28 to see what's next.