2005 LOVERIDGE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

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January 27, 2005 Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge STATE OF THE CITY BEST PLACE TO L1VEITAKE CHARGE OF FUTURE Thank you for coming to the 28th State of the City Address, And thank you to our hosts, Cindy Roth and the Chambers of Commerce. Kudos to the best Chamber in the State of California. Before I begin, I also want to acknowledge and thank the most important partner in my life, Marsha, my wife of 43 years! Today is a time to recognize and celebrate Riverside as a great place to live, In 2005, Riverside is an exciting, diverse, urban, and successful city! We have come of age, As the Preamble to the General Plan says, "We are on the brink of greatness." Riverside is on the map of Southern California. Two examples--Trumpeted in Sunset magazine, the Festival of Lights was covered by five Los Angeles TV stations. And in December, KTLA (Channel 5) televised their morning show from downtown Riverside. Here is a brief excerpt.... NEVER BEEN BETTER When comparisons are made with the past 25 years, life in Riverside has never been better than in 2005. Take a quick tour of our major shopping areas--Galleria, Plaza, Canyon Crest, Mission Grove, Canyon Springs, and University Village, Or drive down Arlington, Magnolia, or Van Buren. Retail choices are increasing, and strikingly so, For example, countthe number of Starbucks--what is your number? My count is eleven. Go to our major bookstores, Village Books, Barnes & Noble, and soon Borders. I especially applaud the opening of the Plaza and the expansion of the Galleria. There's never been a better time to SHOP RIVERSIDE. As to restaurants in 2005, the pamphlet in your bag highlights the 25 best places to eat in Riverside. Selected by Allan Borgen, the Inland Empire's leading food critic, it tells the story, for the second year, of where to go in Riverside, Take a look at the Inland Emoire magazine's best places to eat--there are more Riverside restaurants selected than for any other city. A statistical profile emphasizes the same judgment, it is the best of times in Riverside. Sales taxes are at the highest levels. Building permits are at their highest numbers. Real estate values are at their highest levels, Students taking coursework in higher education are at their highest numbers. We have hit historic highs in income and number of jobs, Part One Crimes are, by ratio, at their lowest numbers. Take your pick of index measures; it has never been better! City Hall is working, and working well. I offer kudos to Tom Evans, Interim City Manager, 1