ITY OI
RIVERSIDI
City of Arts & Innovation City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2025 FROM: COUNCILMEMBER FALCONE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT
COURTHOUSE FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA,
EASTERN DIVISION
ISSUE:
Support the expansion of the United States District Courthouse for the Central District of California, Eastern Division, to address Riverside's growing judicial needs, the urgency of the city's steady population growth, and the constraints the city faces due to its undersized and under-resourced District Court
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Support the expansion of the United States District Courthouse for the Eastern Division of the Central District of California, located in Riverside County; and
2. Direct the City Manager's Office to identify stakeholders and coordinate advocacy for federal funding of the United States General Services Administration's (GSA) Phase One Feasibility Study to accelerate implementation of a Long-Term Facilities Plan for courthouse expansion.
BACKGROUND:
The Eastern Division of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, located in the City of Riverside, is critically undersized and under-resourced, creating a severe and inequitable burden on Inland Empire residents. Immediate steps must be taken to advance a long-term solution to address the region's growing judicial needs.
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, home to a combined 4.7 million people, constitute one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the United States. By 2030, the population is projected to exceed 5.4 million. Despite this growth, the region's only federal courthouse Downtown Riverside has just four courtrooms, shared by six judges. And, the courthouse is the only federal facility in the nation where three Magistrate Judges share a single courtroom, and two Magistrate Judges share chambers.
These constraints severely limit judicial capacity, restrict access to justice, and preclude the appointment of additional judges. Consequently, many federal cases that should be heard locally are reassigned to courts in Los Angeles or Orange County, creating undue hardship for residents.
DISCUSSION:
To address this crisis, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has developed a Long- Term Facilities Plan for expanding the Riverside courthouse. Before the project can proceed, the GSA must conduct a Phase One Feasibility Study (estimated to cost $1 million) which requires Congressional funding.
Currently, five other courthouse projects are ahead in the GA's feasibility study queue.
However, none match the urgency or population impact of the Riverside expansion. The City of Riverside should join efforts to advocate for accelerated federal funding for this study to ensure fair access to federal judicial services.
Federal investment in the Riverside courthouse expansion is essential to ensure timely and local access to justice for millions of Inland Empire residents. Immediate advocacy for the GSA Feasibility Study is the necessary first step toward equitable service delivery and long- overdue infrastructure improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action has no fiscal impact to the City of Riverside.
Prepared by:
Philis alcone
PHILIP FALCONE
Councilmember, Ward 1