GNA Meeting notes for 2/2/12

Update from Mike Gardner

The new Jurupa Grand Shopping Center owners are working with Riverside’s economic development team. There is a possibility that the space left empty by El Rancho Sol market could be filled by Mommie Helen’s Bakery, a very popular pie-making company currently in Colton. This space could work as a place for baking and shipping pies, with possible small restaurant space.

Owners have also been in talks with 99 cent store, but we don’t know if it will be one of the lower end 99 cent stores or better ones.

Comment: We don’t need a 99 cent store. There is already one close by and attracts wrong element. Our residents won’t be likely to shop there.

Q: Did the new owners by the lot behind the center? A: No, they did not. It is not cheap to purchase that land.

Q: What happened to the dog groomer? A: She seems to have packed up and left.

Q: How can we encourage the new owners to choose the bakery over the 99 cent store. A: A subgroup of the GNA is meeting with the new owners in a couple of weeks and we will share with them our lack of enthusiasm for that option.

Q: Can we write to the owners of Mommie Helen’s to let them know that we are very supportive of their possible relocation to the center? A: Yes, that would be a great idea. [Please send all letters of support to gnariverside@aol.com]

Save the date: GNA Meeting on Thursday, February 2

Please save the date for our upcoming meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2^nd from 6:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m. at 5105 Jurupa Ave (in the ARC facility next to the Laundromat).

As always, we have a full and promising agenda! Riverside Police Department will provide an update on recent crime in our area and City Councilman Mike Gardner will discuss progress on the Jurupa/Grand shopping center as well as other Ward 1 news. Deputy General Manager Steve Badgett of Riverside Public Utilities will discuss the project to replace historic street lights. Also, members of the Wood Streets Green Team will talk about creating a community garden at Tequesquite Park and encouraging local input for that garden.

Future 2012 quarterly meetings to be held on May 3, August 7 (National Night Out), November 8.

Holiday Party: December 19th at Fairmount Park

All of the neighborhood groups in Ward 1 are joining together again this year to celebrate the holidays. Last year’s holiday party was very well attended with residents from downtown, the Wood streets, our very own Grand neighborhood and Northside participating in the festivities. Riverside Police Department will also be in attendance, as will City Councilman Mike Gardner.

It’s a potluck, so please bring your favorite side dish. There will also be a toy drive for Riverside County Mental Health Department (gift cards are great too).

Come, have fun, celebrate the holidays and meet your neighbors!

**December 19 at 6 p.m. in the Izaak Walton Building in Fairmount Park**

Click on flyer for more detailed information: HolidayPartyFlyer2011

Meeting notes for 11/3/2011

Grand Neighborhood Alliance Meeting Notes for 11/3/11 (taken by Wendy DeBoer)

Representative for Riverside Public Library spoke in favor of Measure I. It will be on the November 8 ballot and supports the Riverside libraries. Will continue funding for library programs without raising taxes. Funds can only be used for library and locally. Please vote yes!

Councilman Mike Gardner encouraged residents to vote and indicated that absentee ballots may not get counted if sent in too late but before the 8^th. A large portion of the library budget comes from Measure C and I (if passed by voters).

Grand Area and Ward One update from Mike Gardner

Progress continues to be made on Tequesquite Park. Have received bids between 6 and 6.5 million dollars. There is 4 million dollars budgeted, and another 2 will come from the general fund. Mike encouraged folks to send letters of support for the park to their councilmen/women.

Q: What is happening with the Jurupa Grand shopping center?

Proposed access path to be discussed at Nov. 3 GNA mtg.

One of the items to be discussed at the upcoming GNA meeting on Thursday, November 3, 2011 is the creation of a proposed public access path roughly between Carlingford Ave. and Old Mill Rd. Please see the attached flyer for more details: GNA Flyer SAR Trust Grant Access

A number of residents have expressed concern about the potential negative impact of this access path for our area, pointing to likely increases in transience and crime.  I strongly encourage GNA members to participate in the discussion of this path at the Nov. 3rd meeting.

See below for details and agenda.

November 3, 2011 Meeting Agenda

Grand Neighborhood Alliance

Meeting Agenda for November 3, 2011

Location: 5105 Jurupa Ave. in the ARC facility next to the Laundromat

6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

6:30     Welcome, Wendy DeBoer, GNA Leadership Team

6:35     Introductions, All meeting attendees

6:40     Grand Area Update, Mike Gardner, City Councilman

6:50     Update on Activities in the Grand Area, Officer Michael Dillon, North NPC POP Team, Riverside Police Department

7:00     Santa Ana River Trust Grant Study, Patricia Lock Dawson, PLD Consulting

7:30     91 Freeway HOV lane—Design, Construction and Impacts, Dennis Green, Consultant, Riverside County Transportation Commission

7:50     GNA Business and 2012 Plans (time permitting)

Please e-mail questions and comments to gnariverside@yahoo.com

For more information about GNA, visit our website at www.grandareariverside.wordpress.com

Save the dates for the 2012 meetings!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012 (National Night Out)

Thursday, November 8, 2012

August, September and November 2011 GNA Events

Walk with the Mayor: August 13, starting at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Grand and Jurupa Aves.

Join the Walk with the Mayor scheduled specifically for the Grand Area. These walks with Mayor Loveridge have taken place throughout Riverside and offer a unique opportunity to highlight the parks and neighborhoods of Riverside, and to meet the Mayor. Our very own Councilman Mike Gardner will also be in attendance to add to the conversations about our area’s history, landscape, and character. Water will be provided. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and sunscreen.

GNA Block Walk on Wednesday, September 14, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., starting at the corner of Jurupa Ave. and Sunland Place

Join us on a group walk through the smaller neighborhoods bordering Jurupa and Grand Aves. (Streets to be covered during this walk include Sunland Place, Grassy Trail Drive, Deerfield Ave., Greenbrier Drive and Old Mill Road.) This walk will include members of the Riverside Police Department, Code Enforcement, and residents from the Grand area in an effort to identify trouble spots in the neighborhood and work collaboratively toward improving these areas. We will also be talking about larger safety issues. Bring your flashlights and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Last Quarterly Meeting of 2011: Thursday, November 3^rd from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the ARC facility at 5105 Jurupa Ave.

Guest speakers to be confirmed…but we’re hoping to have a “meet and greet” with the new owners of the shopping center at Grand and Jurupa Aves. This would be a great opportunity for them to talk about their plans for the Center and for local residents to provide input concerning our community’s concerns, needs, and goals.