Raincross Square

2008
Main entrance


2008
Fairmount Lake


2008
Lake Evans


2008
Plenty of shade

Arguably Riverside's most interesting park, Fairmount is staging a comeback. After several years of neglect, the city recently completed various park improvements, including new gazebos, picnic tables and playgrounds as well as refurbishing of the boathouse, itself a 1995 replica of the original 1911 boathouse.

One of the most expensive improvements was the dredging of both Lake Evans and Fairmount Lake, which were last dredged in 1983. The city spent $2 million to clean and remove 50,000 tons of silt that accumulated at the bottom of the lakes. Both lakes were then restocked with two tons of catfish.

Fairmount Park originated in smaller form as early as 1898 on land near the Santa Ana River on the northwest edge of downtown. But it wasn't until land donated in 1903 by longtime Riverside businessman S.C. Evans Sr. in which the park of today began to take shape. Evans' donation allowed for the creation of the park's first lake -- Fairmount Lake.

A major expansion in 1911 saw elements from an Olmsted Brothers plan added, including a boathouse and Japanese-style lotus garden with arched, wooden bridges (later replaced with cement versions). Although at least two bridges remain, damaging floods over the years have wiped out the lotus garden. It's too bad the city found neither the money -- nor the will -- to replace it.

A 1924 expansion added another 60 acres, this time donated from S.C. Evans Jr. The additional acreage allowed for the creation of the park's second lake -- the much larger Lake Evans. Future expansions would eventually give the 180-acre park its current landscape that now includes a third lake.

Hailing from a different era, Fairmount is chock full of old-school park features, including forest-like trees and foliage, a bandshell, rose garden, lawn bowling club, boathouse, and of course, the three rustic lakes. At various times, the park also sported a small petting zoo and amusement area -- with a carousel (1947) and later a tiny roller coaster -- but these have long-since been removed.

Today, the park is seeing a rebirth thanks in part to the recent improvements funded from the city's $1.8 billion, 5-year Riverside Renaissance plan.

We're glad to see the city's flagship park regaining back some of its former glory.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Fishing derby to mark completion of cleanup of Riverside's Fairmount Park (June 19)


• City of Riverside - Parks & Recreation


• National Association for Olmsted Parks

2008
Park map

2008
Boathouse

2008
New paths

2008
Resurfaced

2008
Entrance

2008
Rose Garden

2008
Pier

2008
Leisure time

2006
Central Library


2004
Riverside Metropolitan Museum

After several months of public meetings, the 22-member Library/Museum task force held its final session this past week, producing what it calls "guiding principles" for the planned expansions of downtown's Central Library and Riverside Metropolitan Museum. The key recommendation calls for separate expansions of both facilities, with enough space for each to meet their needs.

As part of the recommendation, the panel urged the city to expedite funding and approval of the expansions and also emphasized its desire to see the Chinese Memorial Pavilion remain in its current spot, which we're glad to see.

The city's Board of Library Trustees has already endorsed the guidelines with the museum board set to vote on the matter July 8. The guidelines will then go before the City Council for review on August 12.

Recently, two opposing viewpoints concerning the existing library building appeared in The Press-Enterprise (one | two). Though both articles make good points, it should be no surprise that we agree with Steve Lech in that demolishing the current building would be akin to demolishing the original Carnegie back in 1965. It shouldn't have been done then -- and it shouldn't be done now.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside Library/Museum Task Force finalizes guidelines (June 26)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Trustees endorse task force's 'guiding principles' for library, museum expansions (June 24)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Task force favors separate library, museum expansions (June 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Library-museum task force convenes (April 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Library should remain downtown (July 2007)

2008
View looking east toward downtown Riverside from atop Mount Rubidoux just prior to sunset. In the immediate background is Box Springs Mountain with the San Bernardino Mountains looming in the distance.

Situated approximately 1 mile west of downtown Riverside is Mount Rubidoux, a small but impressive hill overlooking the city. Rising 1,364 feet above sea level, the rocky hill gets its name from Jurupa Rancho owner Louis Robidoux (note the different spelling) who settled in the area during the mid-1800s.

2008
Mount Rubidoux

In 1906, Mount Rubidoux was acquired by Frank A. Miller of the Mission Inn. A year later, Miller and railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington partnered up to build two, single-lane roads allowing for motorized vehicles to traverse the summit.

Atop the summit sits the Serra Cross, placed in honor of Father Junipero Serra who is credited with founding the California Missions. The cross is the site of the nation's oldest continuing outdoor Easter Sunrise service, which began in 1909.

Also located on the mountain is the World Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge, erected in 1925 to honor Frank Miller. Miller, who co-founded the Institute of World Affairs (later to become the World Affairs Council), was a staunch advocate for world peace. As such, Miller's connections brought the likes of President Taft and social activist Booker T. Washington to Riverside, both of whom made the trek up Mount Rubidoux.

In 1955, the Miller family deeded the entire park to Riverside. The original wooden cross was replaced with a cement version in 1963.

Although severe rains during the 1990s washed out parts of both roads forcing their closure, the granite outcropping remains a favorite recreational activity for pedestrians, joggers and cyclists alike.

Related

• Friends of Mount Rubidoux

2008
World Peace Tower
& Friendship Bridge

@1940s
Downtown Riverside

2008
Colorful hues

2008
Serra Cross

2008
Vista point

2008
View southwest
over Riverside

The past two weekends saw us at opposite ends of Riverside. Last weekend, we had the chance to take in the reopened Arlington Branch Library. While there, we took a few photos of the nearby Arlington Village commercial area. This weekend, we spent some time downtown checking in on the refurbishing of the Main Street Pedestrian Mall.

Flash: Out & About slideshow


1907
Riverside & Arlington Railway
1962 Interurbans Magazine


1907
Riverside & Arlington Railway
1962 Interurbans Magazine

About 5 miles southwest of downtown Riverside sits Arlington Village. Located at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard, the village hails from what was originally known as the Town of Arlington. Founded in 1877 by prominent Riversiders S.C. Evans and William Sayward, Arlington was in many ways Riverside's first suburb, with streetcars* running between the two towns. As such, it was included within Riverside's boundaries upon official incorporation in 1883.

By the early 1900s, the area contained a library, fire station, newspaper office, two-story commercial building, local schools, churches and several businesses. The commercial area thrived well into the 1960s, partly on account of being the nearby home to Riverside County General Hospital, a place where it would remain for 100 years before a new county hospital opened in Moreno Valley in 1998.

About a mile south of Arlington Village is the land that sprouted much of Riverside's famous Washington Navel orange groves. Today, the area still includes large swaths of groves thanks in part to the Arlington Heights Greenbelt citrus preserve. It also includes the 377-acre California Citrus State Historic Park -- an actual working citrus grove, museum and park.

Fifty years after the Riverside Freeway and nearly 40 years after the nearby Galleria at Tyler reduced the importance of the area as a major commercial center, Arlington Village is staging a comeback. Recent street and sidewalk improvements and refurbished storefronts have given the neighborhood new life. Besides the newly-expanded library, a recent addition to the village is a large wall mural composed from photographs depicting Magnolia Avenue at Van Buren Boulevard during the 1940s.

With a bit of vision and planning -- and a small residential townhome/condo component -- the village could easily sprout into a nice, semi-urban landscape consisting of more restaurants and shops all within easy walking distance.

Elsewhere in Riverside, work is progressing on the makeover of the Main Street Pedestrian Mall in downtown. New low-lying retaining walls have sprung up on the mall between Ninth Street and University Avenue as has framework for a new fountain. The next phase will include the blocks between University Avenue and Sixth Street. The $10 million project began in March and is expected to be completed in spring 2009

Concurrent work also continues on the old Rouse Building -- the soon-to-be UCR/Culver Center of the Arts -- as well as the reopening of Ninth Street through the mall adjacent to City Hall. Nearby, foundation work is moving along at the Regency Tower site, located at Tenth and Orange streets.

Flash: Out & About slideshow

Related

• California Citrus State Historic Park

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Arlington Branch Library reopens (June 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Pedestrian mall renovation begins (March 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Ground broken for downtown office building (Feb. 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Then & Now - Main at Mission Inn (March 2007)

After a month-long delay in receiving Planning Commission recommendations, the Riverside City Council this past Tuesday approved a portion of Fox Plaza, the large mixed-use project proposed for downtown.

Phase One site of Fox Plaza
will include a Hyatt Place hotel
MetroPacific Properties, LLC


Fox Plaza - overview
MetroPacific Properties, LLC


Project site
MS Virtual Earth


2007
Stalder Building

Located on three key blocks along Market Street, between Fifth Street and Mission Inn Avenue, the first phase will include a 337 space parking structure surrounded by 40 residences and 8,200 sq. ft. of commercial space. Also included is a Hyatt Place hotel, which had previously received approval.

The council also approved the project's overall environmental impact report, but did not give final approval to additional phases. In particular, the council has requested the developer -- MetroPacific Properties LLC -- to revise the portion proposed for the Stalder half-block on Market Street between Sixth Street and Mission Inn Avenue.

Members from both the Planning Commission and City Council expressed the need for scaling back the Stalder portion of the project, particularly near the corner of Market Street and Mission Inn Avenue so as to not overshadow the historic Fox Theater across the street. The developer has agreed to revise this portion, which will require future review from both the Planning Commission and City Council, but has not committed to saving the Stalder Building, which a local historical preservation group is pushing for.

We're glad to see the first phase move forward. Currently, the site is an uninviting asphalt parking lot, and indeed, the least contested part of the project. We're also glad to see some attempts to better incorporate the Stalder into the development. However, we do not want to see large-scale setbacks applied to the project, which could end up producing a more suburban-styled building.

In short, we admit to having mixed feelings on some elements of the overall project, including the potential loss of a few older buildings, each with their own uniqueness and histories. But the bottom line is we think the mixed-use Fox Plaza -- particularly along the eastern side of Market Street -- offers a potentially more vibrant and balanced environment, which we feel downtown needs in order to better survive and compete in the coming decades.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Downtown Riverside business owners mixed on Fox Plaza (June 12)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside council approves portion of Fox Plaza project (June 11)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Some say downtown Stalder Building should be saved (June 10)


• MetroPacific Properties LLC - Fox Plaza


• Old Riverside Foundation

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Votes on Fox Plaza delayed (April 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Mixed-use projects picking up steam (July 2007)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Out & About - 01/21/2007

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Downtown idle? (June 16 editorial)

A City Council-appointed task force assigned with revising Riverside's library-museum expansion plans issued its draft recommendation this week calling for separate expansions for both institutions. The recommendation, which would reverse the city's earlier combined expansion proposal, comes after several recent public meetings on the issue.

2006
Central Library


2006
Riverside Metropolitan Museum


2007
Museum exhibit

Most critics of the original $25 million proposal -- part of the city's Riverside Renaissance Initiative -- feared joint expansion would shortchange both entities. That plan called for an approximately 35,000 sq. ft. expansion: 9,500 sq. ft. children's section, 10,500 sq. ft. community/office space (with 250-seat auditorium) and up to 15,000 sq. ft. exhibition/flex space. Drawn up by Pfeiffer Partners Architects, Inc., the plan expanded outward in front of the current library, including displacement of the Chinese Memorial Pavilion.

Since then, several community members, residents and various civic groups have voiced opinions on the matter. The "Committee to Renew the Library" and "The Raincross Group" have both considered plans of their own, the latter recommending a 60,000 sq. ft. library expansion (basement plus two stories) in front of the current library (sparing the Chinese Pavilion); and, a 30,000 sq. ft. museum expansion (3 stories) behind the current museum. Estimates for both expansions are $38 million -- approximately $13 million more than the original joint-expansion project.

The task force's draft recommendation of separate expansions now moves ahead for a public hearing scheduled for June 18, after which a final task force meeting on June 25 will address any changes before forwarding the panel's final recommendation to the City Council (scheduled for August 12).

Whatever the final outcome, we agree both institutions should remain downtown at their current locations. Likewise, we'd prefer to see neither building's architecture severely compromised with any future expansions. Though many may say the current architecture of the library does not fit its immediate surroundings, we believe it has its own architectural merits (one, two, three) on which to stand, and thus, should not be significantly altered.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Local View: Vital Expansions (June 9)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside panel recommends separate museum, library expansion plans (June 7)


• Committee to Renew the Library


• Riverside Public Library


• Riverside Renaissance Initiative

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Library-museum task force convenes (April 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Library should remain downtown (July 2007)

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside Library/Museum Task Force finalizes guidelines (June 26, 2008)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Local View: Admire style (June 28, 2008)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Local View: Downtown library: A boxy monstrosity (June 20, 2008)

After nearly 2 years of construction and renovation, Riverside's Arlington Branch Library reopened to the public this past week following an 8,000 sq. ft. addition to the 99-year-old building. The new wing nearly triples the size of the current library to 13,000 sq. ft.

2008
Original building


2008
New addition


2008
Shades of the past

The new addition mimics the original building's Greek Revival styling, which was designed by local architect Seeley L. Pillar. When it first opened on June 1, 1909, the new library was the city's first "branch" library and was built to serve the southern and western portions of Riverside.

Though not technically a Carnegie library, the city built the Arlington Branch after obtaining $7,500 from the Carnegie Foundation for expanding the downtown library. The grant used for the downtown expansion freed up $7,500 for the new Arlington library, which also included a fire station attached to the back of the building.

A year-long, $8,000 renovation began in 1927 to upgrade the library after it was declared structurally unsafe, causing a temporary closure. Subsequent renovations and expansions over the years included an extensive rehab during the late 1950s; the re-use of the space housing the former fire station in 1968 (which had relocated to a separate building about a quarter-mile east on Magnolia Avenue in 1938); and another renovation in 1996.

Today, the new wing houses the majority of the library's collection of 45,000 titles. An expanded children's section, lower shelving heights and several seating areas help give the new addition a bookstore atmosphere, while natural lighting provided by expansive windows and skylights gives the library an open-air feel. Thirty-four computers and 2 self-checkout stations round out the expanded facility.

The former main room in the original building is now a 110-seat community room. Historic photographs of Riverside's past act as translucent shades on the windows that surround the room.

In a nod to the building's past, the library's new entrance uses the old stable building from the days when the structure housed the fire station. Located in this new foyer are two glass cases housing both fire- and citrus-related memorabilia from the city's past.

The reopening of the Arlington Branch is the latest improvement made to the city's 7-branch library system, which is in the midst of its largest building and renovation campaign in its history. Other projects include the soon-to-open Orange Terrace Branch Library, the relocation of the Marcy Branch Library and the expansion/renovation of downtown's Central Library. It also comes on the heels of the recent expansions/renovations at the Eastside Library/Cybrary and the La Sierra Branch Library as well as the opening of the Casa Blanca Library & Family Learning Center a few years back.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Renovated Arlington branch library ready to open doors to Riverside public (June 4)


• Riverside Public Library

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Relocation of Marcy Branch likely (May 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Library-museum task force convenes (April 2008)


• RaincrossSquare.com - Library should remain downtown (July 2007)

2006
Former stable

2008
New foyer

2008
New wing

2008
Computer stations

2008
Stylish seating

2008
Community room

2008
Riverside National Cemetery


2004
National Medal of Honor


2008
National POW/MIA Memorial


2008
Memorial Day weekend


2008
Recent burials

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Riverside National Cemetery, one of the nation's largest national cemeteries. It is also one of the busiest.

Located along I-215 just west of March Air Reserve Base in southeastern Riverside, the 921-acre cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 180,000 veterans, former service members and their spouses from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Currently, the cemetery averages 150 services per week, totaling about 8,000 per year.

Riverside National sits on the former grounds of Camp William G. Haan, which served as an anti-aircraft training facility during WWII. In 1946, Camp Haan was absorbed into March Air Force Base and remained part of the base's sprawling western landscape before being transferred to the VA in 1976 for the then-planned 740-acre national cemetery.

The initial phase of 96 acres cost $5 million and opened on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11th 1978. The first interment was local WWII hero and Medal of Honor recipient, Ysmael R. Villegas, whose family allowed re-burial from Riverside's Olivewood Cemetery to the newly-christened national cemetery. Within the first month of operation, the facility performed 355 interments, 163 of which were re-burials.

By 2003, when the Air Force transferred an additional 181 acres to the cemetery, the total overall acreage reached 921, with current development covering approximately 300 of those acres. With future development, the total number of interments is projected to reach well over 1 million.

Among those buried at Riverside National are two other Medal of Honor recipients -- Com. John H. Balch, WWI; and Col. Mitchell Paige, WWII / Korea -- as well as several distinguished persons, including Col. Aaron Bank (the father of the Army's Green Berets) and Capt. Lillian Kinkela Keil (an Air Force Flight Nurse Pioneer, who's one of the military's most decorated women). Also of note are several members of the Tuskegee Airmen; Ofc. James F. Van Pelt Jr., navigator during the dropping of the atomic bomb over Nagasaki; and Thomas Ross Bond Sr., best known as "Butch" in the 'Little Rascals' comedies.

Two lakes, an administration building, a small amphitheater and several monuments are scattered about the grounds, which ranges from gently rolling hills to wide open spaces. (Unfortunately, the newest portions tend to be a bit thin with regards to mature trees, a condition that with increased VA support, we hope changes sooner rather than later.)

Among the memorials is one of four nationally recognized National Medal of Honor sites, which was built in 1999. Other monuments include a Veteran's Memorial and the National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Memorial. On the immediate horizon is a replica of the Vietnam Wall Memorial with several others representing the Civil War, WWI, WWII and Korea planned for the future.

Though far from being the "Arlington of the West" as first envisioned by its chief proponent and longtime civic activist David Goldware, Riverside National Cemetery has come a long way in a short 30 years. With the right guidance, diligent local support -- and kind Congressional budgets -- the cemetery may very well become the Arlington for a new generation of veterans.

Photo Gallery: Riverside National Cemetery

Related

• Riverside National Cemetery


• Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee


• Los Angeles Times - Riverside National Cemetery: Where a nation says farewell (May 2008)


• Los Angeles Times - Video: Honoring the fallen at Riverside National Cemetery (May 2008)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Tributes to servicemen, women ring out (May 2008)


• CNN (AP) - Veterans' burials nonstop at national cemeteries (May 2008)


• KNBC-TV, Los Angeles - On The Road: Riverside National Cemetery (Oct. 2007)
  

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside National Cemetery on track for record number of burials (June 15)

2004
Amphitheater

2004
Medal of Honor

2004
Lake "B"

2008
Ground
breaking
(June 1976)

2008
Dedication
(Nov. 1978)

WWII
Camp Haan*

WWII
Camp Haan*

*Photo courtesy of Robert F. Gallagher

This weekend, Inland Southern California welcomed the latest addition to the area's growing retail scene as The Shoppes at Chino Hills held its grand opening.

2008
Grand Opening


2008
Main Street


2008
Directory

Located just west of Highway 71 at the corner of Grand Avenue and Peyton Drive, the 400,000 sq. ft. outdoor mall is the fourth major "lifestyle" center to open within the region since 2004. Thus far, approximately 40 of the expected 60 retailers are open, with the rest to follow shortly.

Developed by Phoenix-based Opus West, the $200 million center is anchored by Barnes & Noble, Trader Joe's, Victoria's Secret, Banana Republic, H&M and Chicos. Also included are several specialty chains such as New York & Co., J. Jill, JoS A. Bank, and White House | Black Market. Dining is represented with the likes of CPK, P.F. Chang's, Wood Ranch BBQ and a Yard House Bar & Grill.

As with many recent open-air centers, The Shoppes is designed to mimic a main street setting, though with an updated architectural look and feel. Many of the Altoon + Porter designed storefronts sport high-tech styling with subtle old-school details. Several park-like benches scattered about offer a place to rest or simply people watch.

In general, the place was relatively inviting, but does have a few drawbacks.

First, there are no major department stores. Although not completely unusual in today's newer, mall-like retail developments, residents looking for a Macy's or Nordstrom will still need to travel to either Montclair or Riverside.

Second, the center has only one car-free promenade (and three vehicular thru-ways, which can be closed as needed). Though no real surprise considering the car-dominated city that surrounds it, the result was a very busy and active courtyard at one end of the mall with lightly scattered pedestrian activity elsewhere.

With that said, the center also suffers from a shortage of parking (which likely explains the interior thru-ways and lack of more promenade space). Located on a rather smallish parcel, The Shoppes could use a parking garage (and will likely need one sooner rather than later). Complicating matters is the fact that Peyton Avenue is currently undergoing major construction.

Overall, we like the look and feel. Though nowhere near a real downtown setting, we appreciate the notion of adding a small urban-like core of sorts to what is essentially a suburban-oriented city. With the adjacent civic center currently under construction and a possible residential component on the horizon, The Shoppes will no doubt play a large role in fulfilling that notion.

Slideshow: The Shoppes at Chino Hills

Related

• Inland Valley Daily Bulletin - Shoppers line up for opening of area's newest mall


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - New Shoppes at Chino Hills center takes up challenge of tricky economy


• The Shoppes at Chino Hills

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Region's retail market still expanding (Jan. 2008)

In the midst of planning an expansion for the downtown branch, news surfaced recently regarding the future of another branch within Riverside's library system, this time involving the possible relocation of the tiny, but unique, Marcy Branch.

2008
Current Marcy Branch


2008
Future Marcy Branch?

Located on Central Avenue just west of the Riverside Plaza, the Marcy Branch opened in 1958 replacing the temporary Magnolia Center Branch established nearby in late 1951. The branch was named after longtime Riverside resident Charles F. Marcy, whose bequest helped provide funding for the new building.

The fanciful design of the circular, single-story library includes elements of post and beam construction that was popular at the time and is yet another fine example of mid-century architecture by noted Riverside architect Herman O. Ruhnau. The interior looks to be mostly intact, including what appears to be original lighting above the central reference desk.

The relocation proposal shifts the contents of the Marcy Branch into the former Auto Club building located about a half-mile away near the intersection of Magnolia and Arlington avenues. The plan calls for the library to occupy the first floor of the two-story, 19,000 sq. ft. building while city officials say offices for the city's Parks Department could occupy the second level.

Overall, we like the relocation plan. There's no doubt the Marcy Branch is severely cramped. The proposed move would nearly double the floor space over the existing Central Avenue location and even allow the possibility for future expansion upstairs. But, what's to become of the current Marcy building? That's a question not yet answered.

Although easy to overlook and under appreciate in its current setting, we feel the existing Marcy building deserves to be preserved. Surely, the city can find an internal use for it, one that doesn't entail significant modification or costs. In fact, one such possibility comes from our friend Tanya at ModernRiverside.com. She has an excellent idea for reusing the Marcy building to house the library's Local History Resource Center, which is currently located in the basement of the downtown branch. Not only would this save the iconic Ruhnau-designed building, it would also allow greater access to more of the library's extensive local history collection.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Plan would give Riverside's Marcy Branch Library room to grow


• City of Riverside - Riverside Public Library

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Purchase approved for library branch (June 5)

2008
Clean

2008
Crisp

2008
Colorful