2003 LOVERIDGE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

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.. ,'. ( University of California is the world's leading public university. UCR is now a major league UC campus. Student enrollment this year is over 16,000, and is increasing by about 1,200 per year. And at UCR Extension, course enrollment is over 32,OOO--this number includes 3,000 international students. California Baptist University is starting construction on a major complex which will double its classroom and office space. Student enrollment is over 2,100 and will increase as new space becomes available. La Sierra University with 1,800 students is dramatically changing as the River Walk Project transforms its appearance and its resources. Riverside Community College has 17,000 students taking course work at its Riverside campus. RCC will open this year a new 25 million dollar digital library. And we have a unique Riverside educational institution, California School for the Deaf, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. 3rd) Downtown Riverside Is taking off. We are the Justice Center of the Inland Empire. The Mission Inn is the best historic hotel in all of California--and last year it had almost one million paid customers. The Holiday Inn is now refurbished as the Marriott. New projects, large and small, are happening or about to happen. The Riverside Community Hospital will soon open a 8 million dollar state of the art cancer treatment center in collaboration with the City of Hope. Allan Mruvka's 65 million dollar Villaggio project is in the wings. The first major downtown housing project for home buyers in over 50 years is being built. Twenty restaurants offer varied and exciting menus. Downtown is our town square, hosting many events. SmartRiverside's Downtown Wireless Mall is taking final form. In the next four years we project at least 400,000 square feet of new office space. The City has just hired John Andrews as our Downtown Development Manager--he comes to Riverside with many years of experience in Pasadena's renaissance. The same excitement and expansion can be found in the City's other major commercial centers. The Galleria had a very good year in 2002. Take a look at University Village, Canyon Crest, Mission Grove, and Canyon Springs. The Auto Center now includes most car dealers, with major new stores on Adams, for Mercedes, BMW, Infinity, Porsche, and Lexus. Construction crews are even at work at the Plaza. 4th) Quality of life is notably better. Air quality is the best in 40 years, and improving. The RPD has its act together--as headlined in the LA Times, "Police Win Praise in Riverside." The City is completing an investment of 30 million dollars in park refurbishment. In its annual survey of residents, the City received high marks for its delivery of services. Major freeway improvements are taking place on the 91, 60, and the 91/60/215 interchange. We have committed the City to increasing homeownership and to empowering neighborhoods. Measure C was approved to enhance library services--the first City revenue measure approved by two thirds of the voters since the late 1960's. K- 12 tests scores continue to increase and schools are being improved with bond funds from two successful district elections. A Sports Hall of Fame will recognize Riverside's rich sports history. 5th) Arts and culture are alive and well. Riverside is the center of arts and culture for the Inland Empire. Its champion is the Riverside Arts Council. We offer an outstanding venue of 2