Your ideas wanted for Riverside history coverage, where to donate school supplies before classes start and St. Michaelās Apartments faces ongoing community concerns.
Housing committee hears from frustrated neighbors about increased police calls, unregistered vehicles, and quality of life impacts since 50-unit affordable housing project opened in 2023.
Your ideas wanted for Riverside history coverage, where to donate school supplies before classes start and St. Michaelās Apartments faces ongoing community concerns.
Sunrise over Citrus Heights, casting warm light on the hills and water tower to start the day. (Noall Knighton) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Contributors like Glenn Wenzel have helped bring 71 such history articles to life. What chapters of Riversideās story are you curious about? Hit reply and let us know what youād like to see next.
A new school year should be exciting, but for many Riverside families, it also brings financial stress. Backpacks, notebooks, pencils and other essentials quickly add up, straining already tight budgets at a time when kids need to feel prepared and confident. With Alvord Unified schools opening Aug. 6 and Riverside Unified following Aug. 11, four local organizations are stepping up to help. From free backpacks and haircuts to writing supplies and food support, these groups are working to make sure no child starts school without the tools they need to succeed. Their efforts highlight the community spirit that helps families face these challenges togetherāand there are plenty of ways you can pitch in too.
St. Michael's Apartments Faces Ongoing Community Concerns Over Parking, Safety Issues
Housing committee hears from frustrated neighbors about increased police calls, unregistered vehicles, and quality of life impacts since 50-unit affordable housing project opened in 2023.
St. Michaelās Apartments, 50 affordable homes next to St. Michaelās Episcopal Ministry Center.
Riverside's Housing and Homelessness Committee addressed ongoing issues surrounding St. Michael's Apartments, a 50-unit affordable housing complex in Ward 5 that opened in June 2023. Residents voiced complaints about increased police calls, parking problems, and safety concerns since the complex's opening.
Driving the news: Police calls to the apartment addresses have more than doubled, averaging 16 per month compared to 7 in the surrounding area.
Not all reported activities are directly connected to St. Michael's Apartments, with many incidents involving individuals sleeping in vehicles nearby.
Why it matters: The $17.9 million project, including 24 permanent supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals, has sparked debate about its impact on the neighborhood.
Residents claim the complex has led to property value decline and safety issues, contrary to initial promises.
The big picture: Parking remains the primary concern, with the apartment's construction eliminating most of St. Michael's Church's parking spaces.
Unregistered vehicles parked along neighborhood streets have become a new issue.
What's next: The city plans to schedule safety meetings with apartment residents and explore forming a neighborhood watch group.
Officials are considering solutions such as parking permits for surrounding streets and using nearby Hunt Park for church overflow parking.
More than 315,000 ballots have been mailed for the August 26 special election where Republican Natasha Johnson and Democrat Chris Shoults compete to fill the Assembly District 63 seat vacated by Bill Essayli.
UCR's R'Garden secured one-year bridge funding from the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences after a spring referendum seeking $10 quarterly student fees failed to meet the 20% voter turnout threshold despite 70% support from participating undergraduates.
š£
See something? Say something. Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please share it with us.
