Victoria and Madison show off blooming Brugmansia, commonly known as Yellow Angel's Trumpets, along Walker's Path. The striking flowers are highly toxic. (Bob Sirotnik) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Wednesday Gazette: May 27, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Today is Senior Health & Fitness Day, an annual nationwide celebration of active aging held every year on the last Wednesday of May. It's a fitting moment to recognize the organizations in our own backyard that make healthy, connected living possible for older adults year-round.
The Janet Goeske Foundation has been doing exactly that for over 40 years. Founded by Janet Goeske herself, who was still fighting for seniors well into her eighties, the Foundation opened its Center here in Riverside back in 1984. Today it serves more than 10,000 monthly patron visits and offers over 200 weekly activities for adults 50 and up, from fitness classes and dance to support groups, lifelong learning, and more. If you haven't heard of it, now's a great time to get acquainted.
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.
The Planning Commission approved a 300-unit mixed-use development Thursday to redevelop a long-contaminated former scrap yard on Commerce Street near Downtown.
Why it matters: The project would add 300 units — including affordable studio and one-bedroom options — to an underserved stretch just east of Downtown, turning a brownfield eyesore into housing near transit, jobs, and schools.
Driving the news: Iron Lofts LLC won approval to build on the 7-acre site that once housed Riverside Scrap Iron & Metal, which operated for more than 45 years and left behind contaminated soil requiring removal of roughly 30,000 cubic yards.
A 2024 state-approved cleanup plan must be completed before construction begins.
By the numbers: The development includes 291 apartments and 9 live/work units across studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans — with 388 parking spaces for 474 units. The shortfall is allowed under AB 2097, which exempts transit-adjacent projects from local parking minimums.
The backstory: The historic Barley Mills Building on the site would be preserved and converted into a clubhouse and fitness center rather than demolished.
Yes, but: The California Public Utilities Commission flagged pedestrian and vehicle safety concerns at the Commerce Street and Mission Inn Avenue railroad crossing. Conditions of approval require high-visibility crosswalks, flashing beacons, and ADA pedestrian improvements — but stop short of full signalization, which a city traffic study found isn't yet warranted.
What's next: The project still requires General Plan and Specific Plan amendments and a rezoning from industrial to mixed-use. Those approvals move to City Council.
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.
City Council authorized a federal grant application that could fund safer crosswalks, bike lanes and sidewalks across Riverside.
Why it matters: If awarded, the $11.2 million federal grant — plus $2.8 million in required city matching funds — would bring visible safety upgrades to roads, intersections and school routes citywide.
Driving the news: Council voted Tuesday to apply for U.S. Department of Transportation funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program.
The city would cover its 20% match using Measure A revenue, gas tax funds and existing transportation fees.
By the numbers: Riverside has landed similar grants recently — $11.1 million earlier this year for the South Main Complete Streets project and $7.45 million in 2025 for the Neighborhood Safety Investment Project.
What's included:
Bike lane improvements, new sidewalks and ADA ramps
High-visibility crosswalks and upgraded traffic signals
AI-based safety cameras at high-collision intersections
Roadway safety upgrades along Central Avenue and at Tyler and Hemet streets
Safe Routes to School studies for all public high schools and Ofelia Valdez-Yeager Eastside Elementary
Between the lines: City staff are exploring whether the grant could also fund a drone first responder system — dispatching drones to crashes to cut emergency response times.
What's next: The application is pending submission; no award timeline has been announced.
Public Works is seeking community input on the South Main Complete Streets Project, which would bring bike lanes, diagonal parking, and traffic calming improvements to Main Street between Third Street and SR-60.
Riverside County honored RCCD's Elena Baca-Santa Cruz with its District 5 Community Champion and Women of Impact recognition, celebrating her 15-plus years serving all three colleges and her elected role on the Moreno Valley City Council.
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