Monday Gazette: March 23, 2026

Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday! Last week we shared some big news: for the first time, the Raincross Gazette is hosting a series of candidate forums ahead of the June City Council election, one each for Wards 2, 4, and 6. These forums are free and open to every Riverside resident, and they're built around something simple: neighbors hearing directly from the people who want to represent them, with questions coming from the community.

Already, a third of the available seats across all three forums have been reserved. You don't have to live in a ward to attend its forum, and admission is free. Find your forum and register today — your voice and your vote count.

See you tomorrow!

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GOVERNMENT

This Week in City Hall March 23, 2026

City meetings this week cover a litigation ban, affordable housing dollars, civil rights infrastructure, and police stop data reform.

Welcome to our weekly digest of public meetings and agenda items worth your attention for this coming 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

On Tuesday, March 23, City Council will skip its typical 1 p.m. session this week, but will keep its afternoon session at 3 p.m. and evening session at 6:15 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes: 

• Approving a resolution banning residents in active litigation against the city from being appointed to city boards and commissions.
• Authorizing an application for up to $1.4 million from the state Prohousing Incentive Program Round Four to support the development of affordable housing.
• Awarding a $2.71 million contract to a construction company for the Riverside Civil Rights Walk Project in Ward 1.
• Amending an agreement with The Counseling Team International, raising the annual cost to provide more counseling services for police and fire.

Mayor's Nominating and Screening Committee

The Mayor’s Nominating and Screening Committee meets on Tuesday, March 24 at 11 a.m. (agenda) to discuss nominees for the 2025 City Spirit Award.

Community Police Review Commission

The Community Police Review Commission meets on Wednesday, March 25 at 5:30 p.m. (agenda) to hear recommendations changing the way the city reviews police stop data so it better exposes possible racial profiling, and to receive updates regarding an officer-involved death case.

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MUSEUM MONDAYS

A Museum Metamorphosis: Progress, Surprises and a Secret Tunnel

Construction on the Museum of Riverside's expansion is moving fast, and what workers are uncovering is rewriting the building's story.

Stroll past the Museum of Riverside's construction site and peer through the fence. Do this every day and you're likely to see something new each time because progress continues at a brisk pace on the rehabilitation and expansion of the downtown Museum site. Museum staff continue to aim for a reopening no earlier than late 2027.

BNBuilders of Irvine, California, began construction in July 2025. Fences came first, and then some observers were startled to see the pillars turn orange as a temporary protective cladding was installed on historic features that would be staying in place. Careful and selective demolition has occurred over the past few months, bringing with it the inevitable discoveries and surprises, such as previously unknown underground concrete or disused old utility lines. A few have caused minor delays, but the project is moving forward steadily. Every week—and sometimes every day—Museum staff, other City staff, and our architects (Perkins Eastman) are onsite responding to the day's discoveries and progress.

Seeing the interior spaces opened up has been a revelation to those familiar with the much-modified and maze-like interior that had caused such challenges in the past for the Museum's exhibitions developers. Even with none of the new spaces yet built out, it's possible to see the tremendous potential of the planned new galleries. The discovery in the basement of a bricked-in opening to the historic tunnel system under Mission Inn Avenue, used long ago to supply steam heat to several nearby buildings, was a great surprise. Modifications to the design of this portion of the basement are under way to make this feature viewable by the public upon reopening.

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This Week in Riverside

Today

• Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels
• Gabby's Dollhouse Live! Presented by Walmart at Fox Performing Arts Center
• Sip with a Scientist at Bar Ni Modo

Tomorrow

• MSRPAC's Monthly Community Cat Spay/Neuter Day at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center's Spay-Neuter Clinic ($45)
• Lunchtime Jazz Concert Series at Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties
• Orange Terrace Library | Lego Club at Orange Terrace Library
• Karaoke Tuesday Competition at the Hideaway at The Hideaway

Save the Date

• March 26: She Built This City: Women and the Making of Riverside at Riverside Main Library
• March 28: Goeske Spring Festival at Janet Goeske Center
• April 2: Hays Press-Enterprise Lecture at University Theatre
• April 5: Easter Celebration at First Congregational Church of Riverside
• April 11: Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Cemetery ($21.20)
• April 12: The Expeditions of Juan Bautista de Anza through Riverside County at Riverside Medical Clinic Basement Meeting Room
• April 17: Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20)
• April 18: Fant-A-She’s at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($37- $97)

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