Riverside River District Feasibility Study

ECOnorthwest is leading a multi-disciplinary team to help the City of Riverside achieve its goal to “put the river back in Riverside” by creating a River District that identifies opportunities for natural habitat access, conservation land, public space, and private development along the Santa Ana River. The Santa Ana River flows across 100 miles from the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and although Riverside has 11 miles of the river, the City has stated that “Most Riversiders don’t even know that there is a river, they don’t know how to access the river, and they don’t feel safe near the river.” ECO is leading the feasibility study to define the boundaries of the River District and to conduct a market study to understand potential private development opportunities for specific parcels. ECO is working collaboratively with the City to evaluate the financial tools and governance structures to implement to create a River District that is environmentally and fiscally sustainable, while providing an amenity to the community.