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PROPOSED 5-YEAR PLAN TO ENHANCE AND BEAUTIFY VICTORIA AVENUECITY COUNCILJUNE 18, 2024Public Works Department RiversideCA.gov2
HISTORY OF VICTORIA AVENUE•Victoria Avenue exists thanks to MatthewGage, a jeweler who moved to Riverside in1881•Gage engineered and developed the GageCanal to bring irrigation water from artesianwells in San Bernardino County to the citrusgroves in Arlington Heights•He imagined a main boulevard in ArlingtonHeights with different types of trees andnamed it Victoria Avenue after the Queen ofEngland•Gage’s vision introduced the many varieties oftrees and plants along Victoria Avenue 1 2
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HISTORY OF VICTORIA AVENUE•1969 - Riverside Cultural Heritage Landmark #8•October 2000 – Added to the National ParkService’s Register of Historic Places•Most of Victoria Avenue is a linear drive fromMyrtle Avenue to La Sierra Avenue•Features over 6,000 trees, including more than1,000 orange trees, tens of thousands of ‘RaggedRobin’ roses, 9 miles of walking trails, the RosannaScott Memorial Bicycle Trail, and various shrubsand groundcovers along its length•Popular, year-round attraction for bicyclists,joggers and a Sunday afternoon stroll RiversideCA.gov4
VICTORIA AVENUECrosses Wards 1, 3, 4, 5Proposed project area is 7.77-mile section in Wards 3, 4, 5 3 4
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Mission Statement“To Preserve, Restore, and Beautify Historic Victoria Avenue through Community Volunteer Efforts, Education, and Advocacy”•In 1990, several large Eucalyptus trees were slated for removal along VictoriaAvenue•Concerned residents, including Hal Snyder, Rosanna Scott, Mary Humbolt,Pati Weir, and Earl Shade, were fearful that the trees would not be replantedand founded Victoria Avenue Forever, a public benefit, non-profit 501(c)(3)corporationVICTORIA AVENUE FOREVER RiversideCA.gov6
•Raises funds for planting trees and other ornamentals, organizes workdaysdevoted to tree planting, tree care, roses plantings, garden creation andmaintenance•Educates the public about the history and value of the plantings on VictoriaAvenue through newsletters, brochures, educational panels in kiosks, andspecial events•VAF volunteers care for Victoria Avenue through maintenance of existingplantings, weed and pest control, irrigation, signage, policy for developmentand traffic, and garden development and upkeepVICTORIA AVENUE FOREVER 5 6
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Nov. 19, 2019 - City Council approved revised Victoria Avenue Policy for Preservation, Design, and DevelopmentAmendment to the Victoria Avenue Ad Hoc Committee Policy related to tree species selection, landscaping, irrigation, trails, roadway maintenance, development standards, right-of-way dedications, and other improvements in conjunction with new developmentCARE OF VICTORIA AVENUE RiversideCA.gov8
•City and VAF aim to preserve the cultural heritage of VictoriaAvenue•January 25, 2022 – City Council approved a Public ServiceAgreement with VAF for volunteer services along VictoriaAvenue (La Sierra to Myrtle Avenues)–Planting trees, roses, ornamental plants, community cleanup,special events, and garden careCARE OF VICTORIA AVENUE 7 8
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•Public Works budget includes $650,000 formonthly landscape maintenance, citrustree maintenance, "Ragged Robin" rosepropagation, and water•Measure Z – Citywide tree trimming–$1 million for trimming citywide canopy trees•Reduced trim cycle from 8-10 years to 4-5 years–$2 million to increase citywide palm treetrimming to biennial cycleCARE OF VICTORIA AVENUE RiversideCA.gov10
Irrigation system repairs and upgrades3-inch layer of mulch in all mediansWill require on-going replenishmentIncrease propagation of Ragged RobinrosesRepair chainlink fence at City orangegroveArtwork on utility cabinetsPossible additional drinking fountainsBenchesEducational kiosksRepair of asphalt walking pathRESTORING THE GLORY OF VICTORIA AVENUE 9 10
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5-YEAR PROJECT$775,000Irrigation repairs and bark mulch installation1 $280,000Ragged Robin roses, appoint artist, repair chain link fence, plant trees, add kiosk, bench and drinking fountain near proposed new trailhead location2 $76,000Fountains placed on walkway, benches & kiosks3 $812,000Phase One walking trail renovations4 $840,000Phase Two walking trail renovations5YearTaskCost RiversideCA.gov12
MOBILITY & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEEThe Mobility & Infrastructure Committee unanimouslyvoted to recommend that the City Council approve the5-year plan and provided the following feedback:Paving plansRecycled water for irrigationAlternatives to asphalt on walking trail11 12 6/5/2024
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Paving Along Victoria AvenueCostVICTORIA AVENUE RESURFACINGStatusPotential CostTyp. WidthDistance (ft)SegmentCompleted--5705HoraceCentralScheduled for 2024--5450WashingtonHoraceCurrently Unplanned$1,809,400 405450JeffersonWashingtonCurrently Unplanned$1,809,400 405450MonroeJeffersonCurrently Unplanned$1,809,400 405450Van BurenMonroePotential 26/27$2,562,625 506175TylerVan BurenPotential 25/26$1,965,025 504735La SierraTyler$9,955,850 Total Cost RiversideCA.gov14
Recycled Water to Irrigate Victoria AvenueCostRiverside Public Utilities is assessing thefeasibility of recycled water use nearCentral Avenue along Victoria AvenueAnalysis is expected to be complete thissummerRecycled water has a higher salt contentthan potable water and would likely beharmful to the Ragged Robin roses andcitrus trees if implemented as an irrigationwater source for Victoria Avenue 13 14
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Paving Solutions for the Bicycle PathCostPEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE PATH TREATMENT OPTIONSRange of $ / MileSample ImageConsProsHighLowTreatment1. Considered impervious to Stormwater1. Simple Repairs (In-House)2. Low Cost of Installation$528,000$422,400Traditional (Impervious) Asphalt Existing Condition1. Maintenance challenging2. Aesthetically similar to traditional asphalt1. Lowest Cost Impervious Option2. Permeable to stormwater$2,006,400$580,800Open Graded Friction Course With Asphalt Treated Permeable Base1. Slightly uneven surface2. Difficult to stock consistent replacement units 3. High cost of installation & maintenance1. High rate of permeability to stormwater2. Aesthetics$2,798,400$1,900,800Permeable InterlockingConcrete Pavement 1. Maintenance Challenging1. Mid-range cost permeable option2. Lower surface temperatures$2,112,000$792,000Pervious Concrete RiversideCA.gov16
Strategic Priority 4 – Environmental StewardshipGoal 4.5: Maintain and conserve 30% of Riverside’s natural lands in green space including, but not limited to, agricultural lands and urban forests in order to protect and restore Riverside’s rich biodiversity and accelerate the natural removal of carbon, furthering our community’s climate resilience.Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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That the City Council:1. Receive a report on the history of Victoria Avenue, Riverside Cultural HeritageLandmark #8 and National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places, and the roleof Victoria Avenue Forever as a partner in the protection and preservation ofVictoria Avenue;2. Approve the proposed 5-year plan to enhance and beautify Victoria Avenue;and3. With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, ordesignee, to record a supplemental appropriation and an interfund transfer inthe amount of $775,000 from General Fund Infrastructure Reserves to the CapitalOutlay Fund, Victoria Avenue Beautification Project revenue and expenditureaccounts for Year 1 implementation of the 5-year beautification plan.RECOMMENDATIONS17