1 CITY OF CORONA
2024 FINANCIAL PRIORITIES
This document provides a comprehensive look at Corona’s funding needs. The summary below provides an outline of top-priority categories for Corona: Community Services, Economic Development, Homeless Solutions, Public Safety, Public Utilities, and Transportation.
COMMUNITY SERVICES PROJECTS
1.1 City Park Revitalization Project Cost: $100M
1.2 Park Improvements Cost: $18M
1.3 Historic Civic Center Renovation Cost: $16.2M
1.4 Trails/Trailhead Construction Cost: $92M
1.5 Corona Airport Improvements and Lease Extension Cost: $4M
PUBLIC SAFETY
3.1 Funding of Artificial Intelligence Resources / Criminal Investigations Cost: $1.5M
3.2 Funding for Training Facility – Phase I Cost: $225K
3.3 Corona Wildfire Resilience Initiative: Safeguarding Our Community Through Mitigation, Prevention, and Education
Cost: $500K
PUBLIC UTILTY
4.1 Reclaimed Water Reservoirs Cost: $19.5M
4.2 Desalter Facility Cost: $30M
4.3 GAC Treatment Facility Cost: $30M
4.4 Water Reclamation Facility #2, Lift Station Improvements Cost: $4M
4.5 Water Reclamation Facility #1, Improvements and Expansion Cost: $35M
4.6 Lift Station Replacement Project Cost: $12M
4.7 Sewer Main Replacement Cost: $4.2M
4.8 West End Well Field Development Cost: $15M
TRANSPORTATION
5.1 Magnolia Avenue Widening at Temescal Wash Cost: $10M
5.2 Interstate 15 Corridor Improvement Project in Corona Cost: $175M 2 Section 1. Community Services
1.1 Project: City Park Revitalization Project
A facility containing an aquatics center with a fitness area and competition-style swim facilities. The facility will also include a community canvas to host sporting events and concert series, along with the addition of a purposefully built community center that will provide Corona with recreational programming needed to meet the increase in demand from City and County residents. • Cost: Approximately $100 Million
• Lead Department: Community Services
1.2 Project: Park Improvements
An assessment was performed at all City parks to determine park condition, amenities, parking availability, irrigations, and lighting efficiencies. The following projects were identified to improve safety, efficiency and enjoyment of the City Parks: Park Facilities – Install or improve restrooms and picnic structures; Parks Hardscape Improvements – Improve and expand parking lots, sidewalks, curbs and gutters; Parks Irrigation Improvements – Improve and expand parks irrigation systems to improve efficiency, lower electric costs and reduce water consumption; Parks Lighting Improvements – Improve and expand parks lighting facilities to improve efficiency, lower electric costs and provide better coverage. Parks Enhanced Amenities – Addition of playgrounds, sports fields, sports courts and shelters.
Upcoming projects include Auburndale, Griffin Park – Phase II, Senior Center upgrades, and the addition of a splash pad at Victoria Park.
• Cost: Approximately $18 Million
• Lead Department: Community Services
1.3 Project: Historic Civic Center Renovation
To maintain the Historic Civic Center at a modern standard level of use, several significant infrastructure, safety, and technologic elements are required. Areas of focus include updated electric, data lines, HVAC, security, lighting controls, structural assessment and/or replacement (ex. pergolas over walkways), sustainable landscape, upgraded theater technology, as well as signage and/or digital marquee to communicate current tenants, services, and events taking place within the facility. This project also plays into Downtown Revitalization Plan adding to the beautification of the Sixth Street corridor, the current Performing Arts Center Feasibility Study, as well as this structure’s 100-year anniversary (September 2023). In efforts to keep up with the potential on-going uses within the building for offices and assembly areas, upgrades to the building are always being evaluated to maintain the long-term use of this building given its status as a historic resource. As such, upgrades will be made such as: Community Room upgrades – carpet and paint, an interior building sprinkler system is needed to minimize potential fire damage to the building. Estimates conducted by city engineers anticipate a project of this scale within $12-15 million dollars to maintain this Corona heritage site at a functional standard for years to come. An initial $200,000 is required for project assessment and development of a professional standard work plan.
• Cost: $16,250,000 for community room upgrades and sprinkler system for the entire building.
• Lead Department: Community Services
3 1.4 Project: Trails/Trailhead Construction
In conjunction with what is mapped out in the Trails Master Plan, this ongoing project of trail head improvements will provide more pedestrian and bike opportunities, preserve, and improve trail access, close gaps in the City’s trail system, connect residents with nature, promote active transportation, and increase the physical activity and health of residents of all abilities through increased accessibility to open spaces. The Trails Master Plan outlines multiple Capital Improvement Projects over the next 10- year period that will improve and expand our trails system and add standard amenities at all trail heads including, but not limited to: benches, kiosks, drinking fountain, bike repair station, trash can and doggie bag dispensers. In addition, larger trail head improvements will be outlined in the Trails Master Plan Implementation Plan, along with associated cost estimates. • Cost: $92 million
• Lead Department: Community Services/Maintenance Service
1.5 Project: Corona Airport Improvements and Lease Extension Corona Municipal Airport is a 110-acre General Aviation Airport that needs aeronautical infrastructure improvements to comply with accepted standards and FAA regulations. Improvements include runway, taxiway,safety area and apron rehabilitation,slurry coating andmarkings, upgradesto airfield electrical, and airfield security enhancements.
• Cost: $4 million
• Lead Department: Public Works/Community Services
Section 3. Public Safety
3.1 Project: Funding of Artificial Intelligence Resourcesto assist in Criminal Investigations As technology improves the need for enhanced artificial intelligence is prioritized to assist law enforcement identify criminals and solve violent and non-violent crimes. Additional computer-aided technology will allow the police department to conduct more efficient investigations utilizing the equipment as a force multiplier for our officers.
• Cost: $1.5 million
• Lead Department: Police
3.2 Project: Funding for Training Facility -Phase I
Funding is being sought to build a training facility that will facilitate advanced officer training for local and regional police officers. The California Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission requires certain perishable skills are maintained and performed routinely. The department has identified a gap in training space for slow-speed driving, defensive tactics, and advanced officer movement training, such as active shooter environments. A training center will enhance the ability of regional officers to train together and improve mutual aid response at a local, county, or state level. • Cost: $225,000
• Lead Department: Police
4 3.3 Project: Corona Wildfire Resilience Initiative: Safeguarding Our Community Through Mitigation, Prevention, and Education
Corona is confronted with an ongoing and escalating threat of wildfires, a peril exacerbated by climate change and the expansion of the wildland-urban interface. To fortify the community against this persistent danger, the city requires critical funding to support a comprehensive suite of mitigation, prevention, and education initiatives. Financial support would enable the implementation of vital projects that align with the strategic priorities identified in the 2020 Wildland-Urban Interface Hazard and Risk Assessment and the 2021 Community Wildland Protection Plan. Such projects include the creation of defensible spaces around properties, the enhancement of early detection systems, the acquisition of state-of-the-art firefighting equipment, and the launch of community outreach programs aimed at educating residents about wildfire readiness and resilient landscaping practices. • Cost: $500,000
• Lead Department: Fire and Community Services
Section 4. Public Utility
4.1 Project: Reclaimed Water Reservoirs
Construct two reservoirs within the City’s service area to store reclaimed water. This will enable the City to provide additional reclaimed water and reduce the discharge of unused reclaimed water.
Reclaimed water reservoirs will also reduce the demand for potable water from the State water system.
• Cost: $19.5 million
• Lead Department: Utilities
4.2 Project: Desalter Facility
Construct a desalter facility which uses membrane treatment technology to remove dissolved solids (salts) from groundwater having amoderately high total dissolved solids (TDS) level. This will allow the DWP to produce additional potable water while complying with TDS water quality standards for both drinking water and wastewater discharge after use. Permeates from the membranes is mixed with a well water bypass stream before being pumped to various points in the water distribution system for delivery to the water customers. The TDS that are removed in the treatment process are disposed of via the Inland Empire Brine Line operated by the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA). • Cost: $30 million
• Lead Department: Utilities
4.3 Project: GAC Treatment Facility
Construct a GAC Treatment facility that uses granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove contaminants of concern such as PFAS and 1,2,3-TCP from groundwater. This will allow the Utilities Department to produce additional potable water while complying with PFAS and TCP water quality standards for both drinking water and wastewater discharge after use. Saturated carbon media will be treated and regenerated for reuse at an approved disposal facility. • Cost: $30 million
• Lead Department: Utilities
5 4.4 Project: Water Reclamation Facility #2, Lift Station Improvements Replace electrical and control systems, piping, and structure. Improve mechanical systems. • Cost: $4.0 million
• Lead Department: Utilities
4.5 Project: Water Reclamation Facility #1, Improvements and Expansion Install one gravity belt thickener, one new additional centrifuge, and four additional digesters to maximize capacity. Construct a new grit chamber to increase the capacity to 43.5 million gallons per day (MGD). Add additional tertiary filters needed for additional capacity. Expand clarifier capacity to greater than 15.16 MGD and add capacity to the chlorine tank to exceed 15.786 MGD. Expansion of the 1B aeration system to fine bubble aeration for efficient air transfer. • Cost: $35 million
• Lead Department: Utilities
4.6 Project: Lift Station Replacement Project
Replace existing liftstation pumps at the following liftstations: Griffin, Sierra Del Oro, Prado, McKinley, Stagecoach, and Airport.
• Cost: $12 million
• Lead Department: Utilities
4.7 Project: Sewer Main Replacement
Replace approximately 1,047 linear feet of 15” pipe and 1,500 linear feet of 18” pipe on Green River Road with the opportunity to run fiber along with the sewer main. • Cost: $4.2 million
• Lead Department: Utilities
4.8 Project: West End Well Field Development
Develop a new well field in the west end area of the City of Corona. The well field will consist of a series of new municipal ground water wells and a transmission pipeline to convey the well water to the existing desalter or a new desalter orion exchange facility. The new well field will be able to extract the groundwater that the City of Corona is using to recharge the Temescal basin. The ability to extract additional groundwater from our basin will reduce our dependency on imported water. • Cost: $15 million
• Lead Department: Utilities
Section 5. Transportation
5.1 Project: Magnolia Avenue Widening at Temescal Wash
Support efforts to provide State and Federal funding for local and regional transportation projects, especially those which increase the capacity and public safety within the City of Corona. • Cost: Approximately $10 million
• Lead Agency: City of Corona
5.2 Project: Interstate 15 Corridor Improvement Project in Corona Support efforts to provide State and Federal funding for regional transportation projects, especially 6 those which improve operations, increase the capacity or public safety of Interstate 15 and the various interchanges and on/off ramps associated with the project in the Corona area. RCTC plans to fund the project through Measure A and toll funding, but Measure A funds are currently dwindling and uncertain.
• Cost: Approximately $175 million
• Lead Agency: Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC)