The A-Line light-rail extension reached Pomona in September 2025, marking the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s expansion to the edge of the Inland Empire. However, plans to extend the line further to Montclair were halted after the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority voted against a proposal for the extension due to its $80.3 million cost and disagreements over design authority and funding responsibilities.
Board member Alan Wapner stated, “People support the A-Line, I don’t think they would support it if they knew we were handing a check to the (transportation) authority to build whatever they want to build, and then we pay for all of it.” The board directed staff to explore alternative ways to connect Pomona and Montclair using $37 million in local funds set aside for this purpose.
In San Bernardino, restoration of the California Theatre of the Performing Arts was completed this year. The $6.8 million project included upgrades such as a new sound system, improved lighting, modern heating and air conditioning, and compliance with accessibility standards. Funding came from Measure S—a sales tax approved by voters in 2020—city cultural development funds, and a $2.5 million donation from the California Arts Council.
Eastvale continued efforts in 2025 to secure its own ZIP code. Since incorporation in 2010, parts of Eastvale have shared postal codes with neighboring cities, causing mail delivery errors and miscalculated taxes and insurance rates. Councilman Clint Lorimore said last spring, “We get lumped in with areas that are not like Eastvale. If we had one ZIP code it would solve a lot of problems. It’s something a lot of our residents and businesses really want.” Legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) and Rep. Norma Torres (D-Ontario) passed in the House but has yet to be considered by the Senate.
Voltu Motor Inc., originally from Argentina, launched a pilot program in Riverside using zero-emission commercial trucks manufactured locally. Starting in March 2025, ten electric vehicles operated on city streets for six months to demonstrate their technology and environmental benefits. The South Coast Air Quality Management District and Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee contributed $600,000 toward this initiative. Voltu also announced plans earlier this year to relocate its global headquarters and manufacturing operations to Riverside.
Riverside began construction on the Northside Agricultural Innovation Center at 900 Clark St., which city officials say will be the first facility of its kind nationally. Phase one includes a large greenhouse and solar panels generating about one megawatt annually for both center operations and grid return.
Palm Springs’ historic Plaza Theatre reopened after nearly two years of renovations costing approximately $25 million—mostly funded through private donations according to city officials. Upgrades include an expanded stage, updated technical systems, new seating arrangements reducing capacity from 800 to 700 seats for better comfort and accessibility improvements while restoring Spanish-style architecture.
Ontario revealed plans for Ontario Sports Empire—a $151 million sports-entertainment complex featuring an upcoming minor league stadium for the Ontario Tower Buzzers (Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers). Scheduled for completion next spring near Riverside Drive and Vineyard Avenue south of State Route 60 Freeway, it will include multiple sports fields, playgrounds, concessions areas, digital viewing spaces, parking facilities, with expectations of drawing about 1.2 million visitors annually.
In Blythe, residents spent much of 2025 seeking solutions after Palo Verde Healthcare District filed for bankruptcy in September regarding management issues at Palo Verde Hospital—the only acute care hospital within a hundred-mile radius serving roughly 13,800 people.
Board president Carmela Garnica said: “Chapter 9 is the last tool left while we work to fix the financial management challenges that have so drastically impacted the hospital during the past several years… Our community deserves a functioning hospital, (and) we are doing everything we can to keep it open.” Emergency services remain operational with state assistance though closure remains possible pending further developments.
Finally in November Riverside signed a memorandum with Chaevi Co., Ltd., a South Korean electric vehicle company exploring investments including establishing U.S.-based manufacturing headquarters locally along with installing at least 45 EV chargers over two years under non-binding terms requiring city council approval before implementation.
Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson commented: “We are very excited about the prospect of bringing Chaevi to Riverside… Our trip emphasized how serious Riverside is about growing our green technology hub, and our conversations with Chaevi have generated promising results.”
