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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION UNDER PLANNING CASE NUMBER DP-2025-00469 DESIGNATING RIVERSIDE CITY HALL LOCATED AT 3900 MAIN STREET, AS CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK #152.
WHEREAS, in Planning Case No. DP-2025-00469, an application to designate Riverside City Hall, located at 3900 Main Street, spanning the Main Street alignment between Nineth and Tenth Streets, in the City of Riverside, California, Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 215-372-013 and 215- 372-014, as more particularly described and depicted in Exhibit “A” attached hereto incorporated herein by reference, was found to be eligible for listing as a City Landmark; and WHEREAS, on June 18, 2025, the Cultural Heritage Board of the City of Riverside conducted a duly noticed public hearing on said application and recommended the approval of the designation of a City of Riverside City Historic Landmark for Riverside City Hall described above; and
WHEREAS, this process is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines as set forth in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this application have been met.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Riverside, California that based on substantial evidence presented to the Cultural Heritage Board during the above-referenced public hearing and thereafter to the City Council, including written and oral staff reports, together with public testimony pursuant to the provisions of Title 20 of the Riverside Municipal Code pertaining to the designation of a Historic Landmark, the City Council hereby finds that Riverside City Hall, located at 3900 Main Street , spanning the Main Street alignment between Nineth and Tenth Streets, in the City of Riverside, California, Assessor’s Parcel Number s 215-372- 013 and 215- 372-014, as more particularly described and depicted in Exhibit “ A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, a Historic Landmark eligible for designation under criteria set forth in the R iverside Municipal Code Section 20.50.010(U) and based on the following facts and findings:
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVENUE,
SUITE 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
FINDINGS: Criterion 3: Embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship;
FACTS: Riverside City Hall represents a unique blend of Brutalism and New Formalism Styles of Architecture. The original design for Riverside City Hall followed the Brutalist style, but it was later softened with elements and materials from New Formalism, which appealed more to the local community. Rather than being a typical late example of modernist architecture, the building represents a more mature phase of the movement in Riverside, blending features from both Brutalism and New Formalism. These styles shared characteristics like flat roofs, raised podiums, repeating geometric forms, raw unfinished masonry, and integrated public plazas. The bold, asymmetrical aspects of Brutalism were balanced by stacking the building’s floors symmetrically and wrapping them in a masonry curtain wall of repeating arches—recalling both Brutalist window voids and the patterned screens typical of New Formalism. Simple, stylistic embossed Raincross symbols are used in the elevated podium as decorative accents and plaza pavers. As architect Herman Ruhnau explained in August 1971, the building was designed to reflect “the city’s heritage of grace, beauty, and the blending of old with new,” and to complement both the County Courthouse and the Mission Inn.
FINDINGS: Criterion 4: Represents the work of a notable builder, designer, or architect, or important creative individual.
Riverside City Hall was designed by the prominently local architectural firm of Ruhnau, Evans, and Steinmann. Although Walter P. Wild is listed as the project architect, his role in the design of Riverside City Hall is unclear. The firm’s partners were actively involved in the project. Herman Ruhnau is recognized as one of the most prominent midcentury architects in the City, with works including but not limited to the RCC Cosmetology Building, (1957); County Law Office of Public Defender, 4200-32 Orange Street (1958); RCC Cutter Swimming Pool (1957); Press Enterprise Building, 3514 14th Street (1958); Marcy Branch Library, 3711 Central Avenue (1958); John Adams Elementary, 8362 Colorado Avenue (1960); Riverside County Law Library, 3535 9th Street (1969); La Sierra High School, 4145 La Sierra Avenue (1969); and many more.
The design of Riverside City Hall was especially influenced by Swiss architect Kurt E. Steinmann, who led the design section and spoke publicly about the project.
Known locally for his Horizon Homes and other notable work, Steinmann later became president of the local AIA chapter. According to his son Josef, it was Steinmann who insisted on including the distinctive arches in the building’s outer curtain wall.
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVENUE,
SUITE 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT pursuant to Title 20 of the Riverside Municipal Code, the City Council hereby approves the above -referenced application and designates Riverside City Hall, located at 3900 Main Street , spanning the Main Street alignment between Nineth and Tenth Streets, in the City of Riverside, California, Assessor’s Parcel Number s 215-372-013 and 215- 372- 014, in the City of Riverside, as City Historic Landmark #152.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the proposed historic landmark designation is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308 of the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (Title 14, California Code of Regulations, commencing with Section 15000 as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and said action is intended to preserve the historic character of the building.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Clerk of the City of Riverside shall cause a certified copy of this resolution to be recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of Riverside County, California.
ADOPTED by the City Council this ____ day of _______________, 2025.
_________________________________
PATRICIA LOCK DAWSON
Mayor of the City of Riverside
Attest:
__________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVENUE,
SUITE 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
I, Donesia Gause, City Clerk of the City of Riverside, California, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the City Council of said City at its meeting held on the _____ day of ________________, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Riverside, California, this ______ day of _______________, 2025.
_____________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
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CA: 25-0955 SW 06/26/25