An architectural rendering shows the renovated Museum of Riverside's exterior with new landscaping and entrance features. (Courtesy Museum of Riverside)
The Riverside City Council has approved a bid from BNBuilders of Irvine for $28.5 million to transform the historic 1912 post office building into a rehabilitated and expanded Museum of Riverside with a two-story addition, a project that has been in development since the museum closed to the public in 2017. The project will maintain the existing downtown footprint.
BNBuilders was recommended for the project. Jake Williams, senior project manager, expressed enthusiasm about the project, noting his personal connection as a local resident whose wife grew up visiting the museum.
Williams added that the company is "excited to deliver a project that's within budget with an aggressive timeline to get this open for the members of the community as soon as possible."
The contractor will have two years to complete construction on the museum, which has been closed since September 2017. In an interview with The Raincross Gazette, museum director Dr. Robyn G. Peterson said visitors can expect reopening in "mid-2027" after construction is completed and exhibitions are installed.
The $45 million project will be funded primarily through municipal bonds approved by the City Council last September. The construction contract of $28.5 million represents about two-thirds of the total budget, with the remainder allocated for exhibition design, furnishings, and related costs necessary to reopen the facility to the public.
The renovation will blend the historic 1912 post office building with a modern two-story addition featuring solar panels and a rooftop terrace. (Courtesy Museum of Riverside)
Cynthia Zdilor, chair of the Museum of Riverside board, urged the council to approve the contract during public comment.
"When I'm out in the community, the first thing I'm asked is when will the museum open? I would love to reply that renovation has begun," Zdilor said.
Councilmember Philip Falcone expressed enthusiasm for the project before making the motion to approve staff's recommendation.
"Certain things are just a 'must.' And we are long since passed a 'must' when it comes to the must to break ground and the must to see a construction fence up," Falcone said, adding, "I'll add in the commitment to aggressive historic preservation as well. Those two things, living harmoniously is very important and I have full faith in Director Peterson's ability to deliver that."
The motion passed unanimously. Peterson told the Gazette that the renovated museum will feature exhibitions with "a hyper-local focus." Plans include showcasing "how immigration has shaped our region, another on the uniquely regional aspects of the fast food culture, a new and expanded Nature Lab," and displays highlighting "local stories through individual objects from our permanent collections."
Renderings of the museum's interior show open, light-filled spaces designed to accommodate flexible exhibition areas. (Courtesy Museum of Riverside)
During her presentation to the council, Dr. Peterson noted that despite the main site's closure, the museum continues to serve the community through exhibitions in Heritage House and other locations. Until renovations are complete, she told the Gazette residents can expect continued programming throughout the city in collaboration with cultural partners.
A review of outdoor lighting and "live performance" noise regulations and the nomination of the Trujillo Adobe for the National Register of Historic Places are all on this week's agendas.
Residents challenge March JPA's promises of jobs and community benefits at April 8 meeting, citing lack of details and fears of warehouse-dominated development.
