City Council Memorandum
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
FROM:
PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
WARD: 3
SUBJECT: ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE CENTERS PROGRAM ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA STRATEGIC GROWTH COUNCIL TO DEVELOP THE NICHOLS PARK COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000,000 - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Adoption of a Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Community Resilience Center (CRC) Program administered under the California Strategic Growth Council to develop the Nichols Park Community Center project and authorize supplemental appropriation in the amount of $10,000,000 upon grant award.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the California Strategic Growth Council’s Community Resilience Center Program for the Nichols Park Community Center project; If awarded, authorize the acceptance of the CRC grant funding from the California Strategic Growth Council in the amount of $10,000,000, or the actual amount awarded; With at least five affirmative votes, and upon grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record and increase revenues in the amount of $10,000,000 or the actual amount awarded, and appropriate expenditures in the same amount to the Nichols Park Community Center project account to be assigned by the Finance Department following the receipt of the grant, if awarded; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any-and-all necessary documents, including but not limited to applications, payment requests, agreements, and amendments necessary to secure funds and implement the approved grant project, making minor and non-substantive changes as necessary.
BACKGROUND:
Recent climate and public health emergencies have impacted every part of California, underscoring the need for effective planning, preparation, and adaptation. Some impacts are acute events, like earthquakes, extreme heat, floods, mudslides, power outages, storms, and wildfires. Some impacts are longer-term events like the COVID-19 pandemic, drought, rising temperatures, and sea level rise. Climate science projections published by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) anticipate that these climate impacts will worsen and compound. In the face of these challenges, strengthening resilience requires investments in both physical and social infrastructure.
Because some neighborhoods have experienced systemic underinvestment for many years, communities across California do not have equal access to affordable clean energy, water infrastructure, emergency response services, and public health resources. Given California’s diverse landscapes, populations, and infrastructure, resilience will look different across the state. To build resilience, community priorities must drive local infrastructure projects. Robust, meaningful, and culturally appropriate engagement helps ensure that projects reflect community priorities and benefit residents.
As a Cabinet-level interagency organization housed within the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) advances the State’s key policy priorities through four main categories: investment programs, collaborative policy initiatives, integrated policy and planning, and capacity building and technical assistance. The Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program is one of SGC’s community investment programs. Alongside other statewide efforts, the CRC Program aims to build local resilience across California communities. The program is designed to serve community needs and strengthen overall resilience in neighborhoods across California.
The CRC Program was created as a part of California’s 2021-2022 Climate Budget Package. The budget focuses on addressing wildfire and drought, strengthening community resilience, promoting sustainable agriculture, and advancing the state’s climate goals.
In 2021, a conceptual design for replacement of the existing community center building was prepared by the architectural firm Johnson Favaro. The design, which was developed in coordination with the community, proposed to demolish the approximately 10,000 square foot building and replace it with an expanded 15,710 square foot building to accommodate the neighborhood’s needs for recreational programming and services. The community center building was not replaced at the time due to lack of construction funding.
DISCUSSION:
The Community Center at Nichols Park was constructed in 1977 and is the only community center and gym serving Ward 3. It is in poor condition and nearing the end of its useful life. Other than the poured-in-place concrete structure of the gymnasium, the construction quality of the 1970s era building is poor and cannot economically withstand renovation, repair or upgrade. The community center enjoys no visual or functional relationship with the street, the neighborhood or the park. The configuration of the building is situated awkwardly in the context of the park and the neighborhood. There is no readily identifiable front door and not a single window with a view of the park. The building is now too small to meet the needs of the community.
The park and community center provide much needed support to families by offering enrichment, fitness, mentoring, athletics/recreation programs, and social activities. In times of extreme heat or cold, the community center serves as a cooling or warming center, and in instances of nearby wildfires or climate events, the center serves as an evacuation center for residents. The proposed new building will continue to provide these vital recreational and social services.
Building off the 2021 conceptual design, the new proposed project includes demolition of the existing community center, and design, development, and construction of an expanded building of up to 30,000 square feet. The new building will serve as a Community Resilience Center (CRC) and will include an annex for a cultural center for the Riverside deaf community. Designed as a vibrant, highly accessible public asset, the facility will provide year-round recreational, educational, and social service programs for residents of all ages and abilities. Amenities will include an indoor gymnasium, and the City will partner with local organizations to offer adaptive sports programs that promote inclusive recreation opportunities for the community.
The City will collaborate with the Deaf community of Riverside to help plan, design, and program the Deaf Cultural Center, which will include dedicated activity rooms and a 99-seat theater. The organization will provide expertise and lived experience to ensure the facility effectively serves the Deaf community. The design of the entire building will incorporate DeafSpace design principles to enhance accessibility, communication, and inclusivity throughout the facility.
In addition to serving as a year-round community resource, the new building will function as a Resilience Center capable of providing shelter, essential resources, and services during climate-related emergencies, including extreme heat events, wildfire smoke incidents, and power outages. The facility will be designed as a hardened, self-sufficient refuge that supports community resilience before, during, and after emergencies. The center will also host year-round programming focused on climate preparedness, resilience, and community education. To support these objectives, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is coordinating with the City's Emergency Operations Center staff and Riverside Public Utilities on the planning, design, operational services, and educational programming for the Community Resilience Center. Additional partners in this project include the American Red Cross, Community Action Partnership, The Energy Coalition, and the Riverside Blue Zones Project.
The facility is envisioned as a year-round neighborhood resource that strengthens community resilience through recreation, education, wellness, emergency preparedness, and community connection, while also serving as a significant location for the Department's adaptive recreation and inclusion services. Programming is anticipated to include adaptive and inclusive recreation, arts and cultural activities, independent living and workforce-readiness opportunities, adaptive sports and fitness, sensory-friendly programming, and services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals with developmental, intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities. As a Community Resilience Center, the facility will also provide opportunities for emergency preparedness education, cooling and clean-air refuge, health and wellness resources, food and community support services, digital access, and youth and senior programming.
The City is committed to sustainability and energy efficiency. As budget permits, the facility will be designed and constructed to meet the highest possible LEED certification level. The City will later consider submitting for LEED certification. The building will also be engineered to support full grid decoupling and passive survivability, enabling the facility to remain operational and provide essential services during extended utility disruptions and climate-related emergencies.
Aligning with grant requirements, the project will evaluate the incorporation of resilient building systems and infrastructure, including on-site solar photovoltaic generation with battery energy storage, a microgrid with intelligent islanding capabilities and device-charging infrastructure, advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with high-efficiency air filtration, and dedicated outdoor air systems. The project will also evaluate measures to enhance water resilience through on-site water storage and infrastructure capable of supporting restroom and shower facilities in the event municipal water or sewer services are disrupted.
When the conceptual design was completed in 2021, the anticipated cost of the project was $13,400,000. But with inflation and a size increase to accommodate current programming, the Community Resilience Center and deaf cultural center, the building is anticipated to cost up to $30,000,000. Another grant application in the amount of $8,500,000 is being prepared for submission in December 2026 to the Statewide Parks Program which is offered through California State Parks. Additional funding may be provided to the project through the Community and Emergency Centers Solar and Battery Rebate Program to be offered through the Riverside Public Utilities Department.
These grants do not require a match. If full project funding is not provided through grants, then the project can be scaled down or phased over time when funding becomes available. A phased progressive design-build process is proposed for this project. This framework offers a structured, incremental approach to project delivery providing maximum cost control and flexible funding alignment. If the Community Resilience Center grant is awarded, the funding will be used to construct portions of the building needed for emergency care, shelter, and community resilience programs. If the California State Parks grant is awarded, the building components related to recreation and community services programs will be constructed. There are some mutually beneficial spaces that will support the objectives of both grants. The cost of these shared improvements may be split between the grants. Demolition, site work and design will be paid by the first grant awarded. The building will be designed such that it can be constructed in phases as funding allows. The Deaf Cultural Center improvements will be a future phase when funding becomes available. See attached conceptual building layout for planned phases.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total potential fiscal impact of this action is $10,000,000 of grant funding, if awarded. Upon Council approval and grant award, an increase in revenue in the amount of $10,000,000 or the actual grant amount awarded, and appropriation of expenditures in the same amount to the Nichols Park Community Center project account to be assigned by the Finance Department, are requested. Matching funds are not required for this grant program.
There will be an increase in maintenance costs. The new building is expected to be about 6,000 square feet larger than the current building and will increase maintenance costs from approximately $1,900 per month to $3,280 per month and from approximately $23,000 per year to approximately $40,000 annually.
There will be an increase in operating costs. In 2021, the annual cost to operate the Community Center was approximately $193,000, including $68,000 for one full-time Recreation Services Coordinator (RSC), $50,000 for one Assistant Recreation Coordinator (ARC), $15,000 for part-time Recreation Leaders, and approximately $60,000 in non-personnel operating expenses. Based on current personnel costs, expanded programming, and the anticipated level of service for the new Community Center, annual operating costs are now projected at approximately $250,000. The updated operating projection reflects the staffing, supplies, utilities, maintenance, programming, and facility oversight necessary to support expanded services described above and ensure the facility can operate as both a traditional community center and a comprehensive resilience and inclusive recreation resource for the surrounding community.
Funding for increased operating and maintenance costs will be included in future budget requests.
Prepared by: Alisa Sramala, Principal Park Project Manager Approved by: Pamela M. Galera, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution
Conceptual building layout
Presentation
California Strategic Growth Council Community Resilience Center Grant 2026