Below you will find comments provided so far from the community. We welcome you to contribute to the list by emailing us at DowntownCorona@CoronaCA.gov and/or submitting questions and comments through the website. Your voice is important to us.

In your mind what does an optimal downtown look like?

• We could beautify the area. This could include a beautiful streetscape.
• The Downtown could serve as a central location.
• We could offer business grants focused on rehabilitation.
• We could have additional retail, restaurants, and entertainment: Breweries, clothing stores, boutiques, furniture, bakery, coffee shops, cookie shops, candy store, soda fountains, antique stores, movie theaters, gastropubs, rooftop dining, bars, fun places, live music, activity based businesses, indoor and outdoor entertainment, nightlight, a place to take visitors. There could also be churches and gyms.
• We could encourage and create pride in ownership.
• There could be design guidelines for a cohesive look and feel. It would be conducive to business.
• We could use different types of architecture. For example early 1900s architecture, Victorian cottages and craftsmanship, Modern Victoria, and Spanish style. We could embrace and preserve Corona’s history, such as the citrus history of the city.
• There could be outdoor seating and dining.
• Downtown could be pedestrian friendly. It could be walkable and offer bike access.
• There could be enhanced safety measures, such as increased police officers, bicycle officers, improved walkability, and enhanced lighting.
• The City could address access to parking. This could include street parking, diagonal parking across Sixth St. and Main St., or a parking structure.
• Events could be hosted in the Downtown: car race around Grand Blvd. once a year, shows, movies at the park, social activities, community events, concerts, festivals, swap meet, farmers market, night market, music, holiday and cultural celebrations. We could also close the streets for the events.
• The Downtown could embrace local musicians, artists, and galleries. This could include an arts and entertainment complex for music, comedy, and speakeasy bars.
• We could emphasize the history of Grand Blvd. and celebrate the history of Downtown.
• We could embrace companies such as Sunkist, Fender, and Monster
• The downtown could provide educational opportunities: satellite campuses, undergraduate & graduate schools with a STEM focus (computers, medicine, robotics, electrical car mechanics).
• There could be an attractive medical center with quality health care. It could provide additional high paying jobs in the city. In addition, there could be a helipad for transport on the top of the medical center.
• There could be opportunities for youth, potentially a community center.
• There could be hotels in the Downtown.
• For the housing design it could be colorful, upscale, and with adobe roofing.
• We need employment options and keep Corona citizens working locally.
• We could have an anchor store in the Downtown.
• The space could be open with planters, specialty lamp posts, and a form of branding for Corona.
• We could look at efforts to maintain family owned businesses.
• There is historic value in the Downtown, there could be a walking map with markers for the historic aspects.
• We could bring back the Del Panther.
• There could be date night spots, shuffleboard, cornhole.
• There could be child entertainment such as playgrounds, carousel, a train to go around the businesses, and a water fountain in the ground for kids to play.
• There could be fountains and water features.
• We could encourage quality hybrid work to decrease traffic.
• We could focus on sustainability.
• We could create a “Smart” City.
• There could be a library to use as a resource with a café and additional amenities.
• There could be a Downtown Neighborhood Council.
• It could be an energetic environment.
• There could be a medical campus.
• There could be a trolley. It could be citrus themed and stop at hotspots.
• There could be cultural trust to promote and revitalize through the arts.
• There could be Friday Night Music nights similar to Claremont.
• It could be the “Citrus City” with a new vibe.
• There could be a smooth and grand entryway.
• There could be enhanced transportation with multiple options for throughout the Downtown.
• There should be a sense of community. There could be a new feel, identity, and vision.
• Corona’s heritage harkening back to citrus industry.
• Architecture theme could include historic / nostalgic themes.
• Farmers Market
• Retail (mom and pop stores)
• Activities for kids
• History
  • Historical quaintness about the city
  • Historical diversity in small businesses
  • Historical barbeques and picnics in City Park
  • Historically family-oriented businesses
• Moderate cost restaurants
• It doesn’t look like what downtown looks like now.
• It’s not safe. Lots of transients and homeless issues.
• Formerly had music concerts at where the 99 Cents Store is located, which attracted some visitors.
• City should look at regulations to doing business in California.
• Need to bring in little industries.
• Boarded up buildings is unacceptable.
• Need more of a tourist destination/draw.
• Trolley – some type of mobility attraction
  • Trolley to the skyline
• Commutes to train station, has ridden bike to train station for commuting to work
• Better connectivity to train station and other City destinations
• Better activation at City Park
• Outdoor atmosphere, live music entertainment
• 80s bar referenced
• Need a big catalyst project to attract investment
• Referenced former plan for entertainment district near Crossings.
• Wants Corona to still be a balance of small town, but also a destination.
• Axe throwing
• Bolster art
  • Art walks, classes, etc.
• Welcoming place to socialize, social gathering – bowling alley, reuse City Park recreation room (could we revitalize that) , food trucks, pop up vendors, revitalize nightlife for families (use stage at City Park).
• Safety is most important
• Need appropriate activities for kids/teenagers
• Public open space is important
• Need leisure activities, we need a destination
• Enlarge skate park or expand it further (community center/teen center is an idea)
• Mix of food types, entertainment
  • Deli, yogurt shop, bakery
• Preserving history and a mix of modern architecture
• City Park is nice but doesn’t seem safe
• Need a big regional park
• LAB is an excellent Developer – Corona Mall when done will be a magnet
• A good pedestrian friendly environment
• Homelessness is a problem that should be addressed
• Need adequate parking may include parking structures
• Library is a draw and senior center is an amenity
• Dining activity entertainment
• Holiday activities
• Dinner theater
• Pop up, cute antique shops
• Activity that can center around the pedestrian mall
• Open space, raised stage
• Midwest, maple trees, old fashioned street lighting
• Cute quaint small town nostalgic feel
• Something that represents the people
• Cohesive
• We can’t pick something dated
• Recognize local talent
• Mediterranean look with plaza, ample walking, warmth, southwest backyard, citrus
• State of the art cuisine
• Creative Space
• Place of community, a place to gather, get outside of the house, some coffee or something to eat
• Old fashioned English tea room
• Local look, trees and flowers, shade trees
• Benches to sit, water feature, inviting feel
• Honor history
• Incorporate City Park and Civic Center
• Timeless, European feel
• Tie in the citrus theme
• Victorian Theme

What types of Downtowns/Destinations should we use as an example?

• Temecula
• Ontario Mills
• Metro at Main
• Redlands
• Colorado Springs (Downtown)
• Irvine Spectrum
• Fashion Island
• Claremont (events)
• Fontana (parks)
• Santa Barbara (Farmers Market)
• Orange County
• Costa Mesa (CAMP)
• LAB projects
• Orange (Downtown)
• Ventura (Downtown)
• San Antonio (La Villa)
• San Diego (Gaslamp Quarter)
• Fullerton (Downtown)
• Brea (Downtown)
• Desert Hot Springs
• Santa Ana (Downtown)
• Anaheim Packing House
• South Pasadena
• Universal City Walk
• Riverside (Downtown)
• Fox Performing Arts Center
• Yucaipa (Downtown)
• Washington Square (Art)
• Laguna Beach
• Los Angeles (Downtown)
• San Diego (Downtown)
• Palm Springs (Downtown)
• San Juan Capistrano
• Victoria Gardens

Where do we need improvements to attract business investment and people to downtown?

• We could revitalize Sixth Street.
• To attract business investment, there could be less vacant commercial space.
• We could support growth of the health care industry.
• We could preserve old buildings and create a cohesive design and architecture
• We could provide prime real estate opportunities.
• We could create a gathering space for entertainment, such as music.
• We could have a dramatic entrance to the Downtown with welcome monuments.
• We could improve the landscape of Downtown.
• We could provide business incentives.
• We could look at Live Work Play Corona and support local jobs.
• We could have public trashcans to maintain cleanliness in the Downtown.
• We could create professional offices.
• We could offer tax incentives, grants, and low interest business loans.
• There could be more employment opportunities for residents and veterans.
• We could address funding opportunities to support the growth of older mom & pop businesses.
• We could look at ways to help businesses that are not well maintained.
• We could have satellite colleges like UCR, CBU, UCI Classes (robotics, tech, innovation, medicine).
• We could have healthy eateries (organic, raw, farmers market).
• There could be an urban walking park with lots of trees.
• There could be a smaller more defined Downtown map.
• We could have a courtyard, benches, a place for individuals to spend time and hang out.
• We could create street improvements.
• Business could have later hours of operation.
• Fewer auto repair shops, mechanics, tire stores, UHAUL, mini mall, strip mall, random architecture and landscape. We could be intentional with the businesses we bring in.
• Enhanced transportation would greatly attract new business development.
• There could be affordable and sustainable rents for businesses.
• There could be loft apartments above retail and dining.
• The City could add a landscaped center median on Sixth St. In addition, the City could reduce certain streets to one lane of travel in each direction.
• The Downtown could include unique dining and retail, not fast food.
• We could develop empty residential lots.
• There could be infrastructure improvements: roads, broadband, etc.
• There could be improved measures to manage traffic.
• There could be improved street signage.
• There could be a celebration of the arts by having pieces displayed in local businesses.
• We could place emphasis on building public-private partnerships.
• We could offer investment grants and additional support for business already located in Downtown.
• We could offer support for smaller businesses.
• We could promote the city’s diversity.
• Cafes, coffee shops, outdoor shaded gathering places.
• Less fast food, more healthy options.
• More opportunities for small businesses, showcase them.
• Entertainment, restaurants, bars
• Safety
• Enhance pedestrian walkability.
• New housing would need to be balanced with traffic mitigation.
• Utilize Metrolink to visit Downtown, which resonates with City’s History.
• Speed up the permitting process
• Reduce regulations
• Loan information
• Business grants
• Look at the future, not the past to drive investment
• Enhance Lighting – safety improvements
• Straighten out s-curve – keep scurve in and it’s an advantage
• The more parking the better and parking closer in the downtown area
• Parking lot – multistory parking structure on Lot B and behind the historic theatre
• More affordable options for restaurants/shops/etc.
• Slow down traffic, circulation
• Improvements and angled parking along 6th street, increase parking and slow down traffic
• Streetscape improvements would be tremendous
• Once catalyst projects get going, it will happen organically
• Shops – five below – shops that are affordable for people who live there – discount
• MAKE IT A DESTINATION
• Linkages to train station to downtown – trolley
• Wayfinding, gateway signage, landscaping, accessible, walkability
• Arts/music entertainment
• Build a parking structure on vacant lot owned by Caltrans north of the 91 freeway
• We need the façade changes that will give one cohesive look
• Set a certain type of mood
• The right business mix, features & cohesiveness to the architecture
  • Something that will age better – real tile, stucco, level of comfort
• Parking, you get worn out physically and emotionally before even getting to the establishment
  • Creative parking & multiple small ones
• A theme is important
  • You feel like you are on vacation, but are local