Riverside officials from several municipal departments have scheduled a public forum next month to share information and solicit feedback about a proposed residential-commercial project near the 60/91/215 interchange that would feature athletic fields, park-centered housing, trails and other amenities.
The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Springbrook Clubhouse, 1011 Orange St. In addition to officials, representatives of the developer are expected to attend and interface with the local community.
As of Aug. 19, the city currently is negotiating with GCS Development to redevelop the 56-acre former Ab Brown Sports Complex site, which has been vacant since 2018, city officials said. The sports complex site is south of Placentia Lane, north of Garner Road and west of Orange Street. Designed to revitalize the Northside area and serve as a regional destination, the project aims to combine sports, entertainment, housing, retail and community spaces.
“This meeting will provide ample opportunity for community members to better understand the proposal, ask questions and engage with the City and the developers,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said in a statement.
The City Council unanimously gave the go-ahead Aug. 19 to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with Riverside-based GCS Development, which has a plan for a professional, multi-use stadium and surface parking lot as part of the first phase, officials said. The complex’s future phase includes plans for two full-sized soccer fields or four youth-sized soccer fields, an indoor sports and game complex, housing, retail and community spaces such as a centralized park with “family-friendly” features, walking and jogging trails, bike paths, playgrounds and a dog park.
“The proposed Riverside Sports Complex & Entertainment District would inject life into the property, create economic opportunity for the Northside and meet the vision and goals of the Northside Specific Plan and the City’s General Plan,” according to the city statement.
Officials highlighted these aspects of the proposed development:
- A 5,005-seat — possibly expandable to a 15,000-seat — stadium for soccer, rugby, football and lacrosse;
- A 108-room stadium hotel;
- Riverside Live, an indoor/outdoor venue for festivals and concerts that officials hope will make the area “a year-round cultural destination”;
- A 130,000-square-foot complex for pickleball, padel games and other court sports;
- Two full-sized multisport fields or four youth-sized soccer fields;
- 1,148 residential units, including 25% of which will be affordable units;
- 193,000 square feet of retail shopping and dining spaces;
- A central park and dedicated dog park; and
- 3,498 parking stalls, along with approximately 100 electric-vehicle charging stations.
Officials said the proposed project aligns with the goals of the city’s Northside Specific Plan, “aiming to stimulate economic growth, attract visitors, and provide diverse recreation, entertainment, and housing opportunities.”
Funding allocations for the development are not yet decided. The council will consider financial aspects as the project shifts from conceptual planning to construction work, officials said. No time estimate on that was available.
Officials noted that this proposed development is separate from the Riverside Adventure Center. That proposed project is under review through an exclusive negotiating agreement approved in February. The sports and entertainment development will connect to the Adventure Center via “pedestrian connectivity” with the goal of providing “synergy to the community.”
Mayor Pro Tem and Ward 4 Councilman Chuck Conder said in a statement, “The Northside is attracting real attention from developers interested in investing in the area. Community meetings like this give everyone a chance to learn about the project and make their feelings known.”
In a statement following the council’s approval, Lock Dawson said, “This project provides recreational opportunities that Riverside and our greater region have never had. It will create a dynamic destination that will energize our local economy and make Riverside the premiere hub for sports and entertainment.”
More information about the proposed development is on the city’s website via tinyurl.com/wsemueut.
