DOWNTOWN FINE DINING GROUP

The Downtown Fine Dining Group
Contributed by City of Riverside Development Department

The City’s continuing commitment to downtown revitalization is becoming visibly evident with new businesses opening and construction projects breaking ground. It seems that the spirit of the Riverside Renaissance is contagious. As initiatives move forward that will attract people to the downtown to work, play and live, one group of local businesses has banded together to draw on the momentum of the revitalization efforts.

The Downtown Fine Dining Group is a newly organized association of white-table cloth restaurants in the greater downtown area that cater mainly to the customer seeking an upscale, fine dining experience. Formed six months ago, the group consists of representatives from seven local establishments, including: Restaurant Omakase, Mario’s Place, and Café Sevilla, all located on Mission Inn Avenue; Ciao Bella on Spruce Street; Trilussa on Main Street; Olio’s Restaurant inside the Downtown Marriott Hotel. The purpose of the Downtown Fine Dining Group is to capitalize on the energy of the renaissance to promote their businesses and establish the greater downtown area as a prime destination for fine dining in the City of Riverside. Taking a proactive, cooperative approach to business success, they plan to maximize exposure and make the best use of all available resources by working in collaboration with the City of Riverside’s Development Department, the Riverside Downtown Partnership, the local Arts Council and organizations such as Performance Riverside to strengthen communication and further mutual marketing goals. The group meets monthly to share information on promotional opportunities, partner on joint advertising campaigns and create new ideas to further support the City’s goal of a vibrant, healthy, arts, culture and dining experience in downtown Riverside.

For other Downtown updates:

• The Redevelopment Agency has started exclusive negotiations with the Stonecreek Company and Dynasty Land Development to develop a 100,000 square feet office building at Olivewood and Prospect.
  
• CVS on Market Street held its grand opening on March 3rd.
  
• The old Municipal Court building at Tenth and Orange has been demolished.
  
• The contract has been awarded to demolish the Victoria Market building on Mission Inn Avenue, which will be down by early April.
  
• The old produce building at Market and 13th Street has been demolished.
  
• The future 250,000 square feet Regency Tower project at Orange and 10th is scheduled to be reviewed by the Planning Commission on April 5th. Construction will begin this summer.
  
• A 27,000 square feet medical office building for Market Street and Northbend is ready for planning approval. Construction will begin later this summer.