What is the Downtown Revitalization Plan?
In Spring of 2021, the Corona City Council approved a visioning and engagement plan for Corona’s Downtown referred to as the “Downtown Revitalization Plan (DRP).” The DRP will serve as a community informed document that supports the Citywide Strategic Plan and provides an overall framework for the revitalization of the Downtown. The DRP will identify a comprehensive vision, supportive and catalytic public and private projects/opportunities, economic development and financing tools/mechanisms, and design guidelines that can play a role in transforming Corona’s Downtown into a “Thriving, Vibrant Destination” for residents, businesses, visitors, and investors.
The DRP project team includes City staff supported by Kosmont Companies and Storyland Studios, two private consulting firms with ample experience in working closely with communities to create comprehensive strategies and plans to revitalize downtowns and understand the power of story to transform people and places. To be a successful and informed community DRP, we encourage you to attend a future community workshop to share your input!
What is the Project Area for the Downtown Revitalization Plan?
While the specific project boundaries are still being defined, the project area generally includes the arterials of Main and 6th Street and surrounded by Grand Blvd (see Project Map here).
How Can I Share my Input?
The development of the DRP will include multiple community engagement opportunities to ensure the City is working collaboratively with residents, businesses, and property owners as it identifies goals and priorities for the Downtown. The DRP Project Team held stakeholder meetings in Fall 2021 and hosted its first Community Meeting on Thursday, November 18th, to begin the visioning process and community dialogue for the Downtown. Additional virtual and/or in-person meetings, in English and Spanish, are tentatively scheduled for January/February 2022. This website will remain as a key engagement tool for individuals to submit comments and questions throughout the entire DRP process. The FAQ section will be updated frequently to reflect feedback received throughout the development process.
When Will the Plan be Ready?
While the plan is still in development, a first draft will be presented to the City Council and Community in Summer 2022, following ample community engagement opportunities. Our community is encouraged to share input on what they would like to see in their Downtown.
How is the Data Gathered for the DRP?
The DRP Team will use a variety of proprietary and other sources/tools to pull demographic, economic, and/or real estate market data, that examines economic and market conditions, challenges, and opportunities in the Downtown, which may include but not be limited to real estate market reports/trends, household and business social and economic characteristics, including population, households, race/ethnicity, incomes, housing preferences, tapestry segments (profiling lifestyles, purchasing behaviors), artificial intelligence (highlighting trending areas and businesses) and other metrics within specific geographic boundaries (e.g., City limits, Downtown, County, Region) as may be appropriate.
How do you Plan to Address Existing Safety Concerns in Corona’s Downtown?
We recognize that the community has expressed concern with safety in the Downtown area, particularly with homelessness. The City of Corona has developed a Homeless Strategic Plan to address homelessness in the City (including the Downtown area). Going forward, the City will be thoughtful in implementing the Homeless Strategic Plan and utilizing other appropriate resources as needed to address public safety concerns. Further, the DRP Project Team will engage with the City of Corona’s Homeless Solutions Manager and Corona Police Department H.O.P.E Team to provide input/feedback as part of the future development of the DRP.
What about Parking, Traffic, Circulation, Walkability, Streetscape, etc.?
The proposed design guidelines and standards will be drafted to provide flexibility that will encourage private reinvestment in the Downtown while clarifying the quality and type of public improvements, public amenities, and development the City desires and expects. These standards and design principles (e.g. parking, traffic, circulation, etc.) will be used by City staff and the City Council in considering and evaluating future project designs just as they are done currently. The DRP may also propose specific regulations to incorporate architectural design features such as public plazas, outdoor dining, and/or façade enhancements.
How Long will the Revitalization Process Take?
The successful revitalization of a downtown is a long-term incremental process that takes a significant amount of effort/collaboration on the part of the public and private sector to advance the goals, objectives and priorities established in the DRP. However, the DRP aims to identify key near term public and/or private catalyst projects in the Downtown that could be advanced/accelerated with the assistance of public/private investment and potential economic development tools and financing mechanisms. As key public-private development projects and opportunities, tools, and funding mechanisms are identified and brought forward, the community will play an ongoing vital role in engaging, shaping, and ultimately lending their voice as part of the implementation process in order to further enhance the future look and “feel” of the Downtown area.
How will this be Funded?
The DRP will be identifying a menu of potential economic development and funding sources and/or financing structures that can be considered for key catalytic public-private projects and/or public infrastructure improvements and amenities to foster the revitalization of the Downtown, which may include but are not limited to specialized land use/zoning tools, real estate and property, public/private investment, federal, state, and local grants, special districts (e.g. parking districts, business improvement districts, enhanced infrastructure financing districts, community facilities districts), and/or tax and revenue based financing mechanisms. However, the DRP team is still early in the process of identifying and evaluating which specific economic development and/or funding sources/mechanisms may ultimately be recommended for the revitalization of the Downtown.
Curious about the Development Opportunity of a Property?
Click HERE for an interactive Zoning Map.
Does the City have a Master Plan for the area?
Yes! Please see the Specific Plan. In addition, in Spring 2022 we expect to have a Downtown Revitalization Plan.
What Development Incentives does the City have to offer?
The City offers a number of incentives that may be of benefit to your existing business or planned development. Please contact us today at (951) 739-4870 or via email at DowntownCorona@CoronaCa.gov .
Does the City currently have any Properties for Sale?
The City does not currently have any surplus property within the Downtown District. However, we can provide a list of privately-owned properties available for sale or lease matching your desired criteria.
Who can I Speak with to Further Discuss a Project Proposal?
Our team would love to talk to you today. Please contact us at (951) 739-4870 or via email at DowntownCorona@CoronaCa.gov
How will this impact my property ?
We want property and businesses owners located in the Downtown to connect with our team. Our goal is to create a thriving, vibrant destination that will potentially encourage increased foot traffic and patrons to the area. Your input will aide in developing a plan that will benefit your business by bringing enhancements and a unique vision to the area.
What is the status of the Corona Mall project?
In June of 2018 the City of Corona and Corona Housing Authority closed escrow with Lab Holding, LLC for the disposition and development of 17 Downtown retail condominiums. LAB, a well-known developer, has created one of a kind developments such as the Anaheim Packing District, The LAB Anti-Mall, and The CAMP in Costa Mesa. LAB is currently in the process of developing a plan that will bring a unique retail and entertainment experience to Downtown Corona. They will be presenting their concept to City Council and public in Spring 2022.
How does the Corona Mall tie into the Downtown Revitalization Plan (DRP)?
The Corona Mall will be integrated into the DRP and will serve as a catalytic project to making Corona Downtown a Thriving, Vibrant Destination. The Corona Mall project will run along Main and 6th Street and seeks to enhance the area and drive patrons to the Downtown. The City of Corona is working collaboratively with the LAB Holding in connecting with property owners and residential community members to create a cohesive vision for the area.
When is the next community meeting?
We are hosting a DRP Business Community Meeting January 25th from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at the Circle City Center. View the event here.
What is the Downtown Revitalization Plan?
In Spring of 2021, the Corona City Council approved a visioning and engagement plan for Corona’s Downtown referred to as the “Downtown Revitalization Plan (DRP).” The DRP will serve as a community informed document that supports the Citywide Strategic Plan and provides an overall framework for the revitalization of the Downtown. The DRP will identify a comprehensive vision, supportive and catalytic public and private projects/opportunities, economic development and financing tools/mechanisms, and design guidelines that can play a role in transforming Corona’s Downtown into a “Thriving, Vibrant Destination” for residents, businesses, visitors, and investors.
The DRP project team includes City staff supported by Kosmont Companies and Storyland Studios, two private consulting firms with ample experience in working closely with communities to create comprehensive strategies and plans to revitalize downtowns and understand the power of story to transform people and places. To be a successful and informed community DRP, we encourage you to attend a future community workshop to share your input!
What is the Project Area for the Downtown Revitalization Plan?
While the specific project boundaries are still being defined, the project area generally includes the arterials of Main and 6th Street and surrounded by Grand Blvd (see Project Map here).
How Can I Share my Input?
The development of the DRP will include multiple community engagement opportunities to ensure the City is working collaboratively with residents, businesses, and property owners as it identifies goals and priorities for the Downtown. The DRP Project Team held stakeholder meetings in Fall 2021 and hosted its first Community Meeting on Thursday, November 18th, to begin the visioning process and community dialogue for the Downtown. Additional virtual and/or in-person meetings, in English and Spanish, are tentatively scheduled for January/February 2022. This website will remain as a key engagement tool for individuals to submit comments and questions throughout the entire DRP process. The FAQ section will be updated frequently to reflect feedback received throughout the development process.
When Will the Plan be Ready?
While the plan is still in development, a first draft will be presented to the City Council and Community in Spring 2022, following ample community engagement opportunities. Our community is encouraged to share input on what they would like to see in their Downtown.
How is the Data Gathered for the DRP?
The DRP Team will use a variety of proprietary and other sources/tools to pull demographic, economic, and/or real estate market data, that examines economic and market conditions, challenges, and opportunities in the Downtown, which may include but not be limited to real estate market reports/trends, household and business social and economic characteristics, including population, households, race/ethnicity, incomes, housing preferences, tapestry segments (profiling lifestyles, purchasing behaviors), artificial intelligence (highlighting trending areas and businesses) and other metrics within specific geographic boundaries (e.g., City limits, Downtown, County, Region) as may be appropriate.
How do you Plan to Address Existing Safety Concerns in Corona’s Downtown?
We recognize that the community has expressed concern with safety in the Downtown area, particularly with homelessness. The City of Corona has developed a Homeless Strategic Plan to address homelessness in the City (including the Downtown area). Going forward, the City will be thoughtful in implementing the Homeless Strategic Plan and utilizing other appropriate resources as needed to address public safety concerns. Further, the DRP Project Team will engage with the City of Corona’s Homeless Solutions Manager and Corona Police Department H.O.P.E Team to provide input/feedback as part of the future development of the DRP.
What about Parking, Traffic, Circulation, Walkability, Streetscape, etc.?
The proposed design guidelines and standards will be drafted to provide flexibility that will encourage private reinvestment in the Downtown while clarifying the quality and type of public improvements, public amenities, and development the City desires and expects. These standards and design principles (e.g. parking, traffic, circulation, etc.) will be used by City staff and the City Council in considering and evaluating future project designs just as they are done currently. The DRP may also propose specific regulations to incorporate architectural design features such as public plazas, outdoor dining, and/or façade enhancements.
How Long will the Revitalization Process Take?
The successful revitalization of a downtown is a long-term incremental process that takes a significant amount of effort/collaboration on the part of the public and private sector to advance the goals, objectives and priorities established in the DRP. However, the DRP aims to identify key near term public and/or private catalyst projects in the Downtown that could be advanced/accelerated with the assistance of public/private investment and potential economic development tools and financing mechanisms. As key public-private development projects and opportunities, tools, and funding mechanisms are identified and brought forward, the community will play an ongoing vital role in engaging, shaping, and ultimately lending their voice as part of the implementation process in order to further enhance the future look and “feel” of the Downtown area.
How will this be Funded?
The DRP will be identifying a menu of potential economic development and funding sources and/or financing structures that can be considered for key catalytic public-private projects and/or public infrastructure improvements and amenities to foster the revitalization of the Downtown, which may include but are not limited to specialized land use/zoning tools, real estate and property, public/private investment, federal, state, and local grants, special districts (e.g. parking districts, business improvement districts, enhanced infrastructure financing districts, community facilities districts), and/or tax and revenue based financing mechanisms. However, the DRP team is still early in the process of identifying and evaluating which specific economic development and/or funding sources/mechanisms may ultimately be recommended for the revitalization of the Downtown.
What is the status of the Corona Mall project?
In June of 2018 the City of Corona and Corona Housing Authority closed escrow with Lab Holding, LLC for the disposition and development of 17 Downtown retail condominiums. LAB, a well-known developer, has created one of a kind developments such as the Anaheim Packing District, The LAB Anti-Mall, and The CAMP in Costa Mesa. LAB is currently in the process of developing a plan that will bring a unique retail and entertainment experience to Downtown Corona. They will be presenting their concept to City Council and public in Spring 2022.
How does the Corona Mall tie into the Downtown Revitalization Plan (DRP)?
The Corona Mall will be integrated into the DRP and will serve as a catalytic project to making Corona Downtown a Thriving, Vibrant Destination. The Corona Mall project will run along Main and 6th Street and seeks to enhance the area and drive patrons to the Downtown. The City of Corona is working collaboratively with the LAB Holding in connecting with property owners and residential community members to create a cohesive vision for the area.
What Types of Job Opportunities are Available Nearby? –
We invite you to connect with our Local Workforce Development Board to search job opportunities in the area. Click here to learn more. In addition, you can connect with the Corona Public Library and utilize their online resources for job seekers. This includes tools such as Data Axle to search jobs by selected area to find local opportunities.
What Local Entertainment Options are Available?
There are a variety of entertainment options available nearby: Corona certified Farmers Market, Corona Public Library and Heritage Room, 39 Local Parks, Corona Symphony, Off Broadway Corona theater, Christian Arts and Theater and, the Corona Art Association.
Are there Local Housing Opportunities Available?
Yes! Corona offers a variety of housing ranging from workforce housing, full amenities, multi-family, and charming historic districts.
Is Public Transit Available and Easy to Access?
Yes! Residents have access to their very own local bus routes, Regional bus lines, and are just minutes away from the N. Main street Metrolink station.