Temecula mayor touts growth, outlines infrastructure, public-safety and housing priorities

Mayor Brendan Kalpas told a crowd at Pechanga Resort Casino that “the state of our city remains strong,” outlining Temecula’s recent investments and near-term priorities in economic development, transportation and public safety.

Kalpas gave an overview of the city’s recent accomplishments and plans, saying Temecula balances “its historical roots with forward thinking development” as he reviewed parks and recreation projects, business expansion, transportation work, education partnerships and public-safety resources.

The address matters because it aggregates the city’s near-term capital plans and funding commitments that will affect residents, commuters, businesses and local service delivery.

Kalpas opened by thanking community partners and the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce and highlighted recreation investments including a new 17-court pickleball complex, year‑round warm-water programming at the Margarita Recreation Center (about 7,000 patrons served in the last year) and a second splash pad at the Ronald J. Parks Community Recreation Center. He also described a major remodel of the roller‑hockey rink at Ronald Reagan Sports Park that will add a steel roof, new surface tiles, lights and a scoreboard.

On business and tourism, Kalpas credited Visit Temecula Valley for promoting the area’s wine country, which he said spans more than 33,000 acres and about 50 wineries. He said tourism supports more than 9,500 local jobs. The mayor highlighted retail and hospitality growth including new and expanded restaurants, the opening of the city’s 20th hotel and upgrades at the Promenade Mall.

Kalpas described the city’s business-support efforts, including the Temecula Valley Entrepreneurs Exchange (TV E2) and a newly launched Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC). He cited ERC program numbers presented during the speech: over 10,000 entrepreneurs assisted in the past 18 months, 56 new business starts, roughly 4,700 jobs created and about $2,750,000 infused into the local economy.

On manufacturing, Kalpas noted expansions such as Scott’s Miracle‑Gro and a new master‑planned industrial park (MS Mountain View Park) with 17 buildings and nearly 500,000 square feet of light industrial space, most leased or sold before construction finished.

Education and health partnerships were also a focus. Kalpas said Mount San Jacinto College (MSJC) received center status from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors earlier in the year, a designation he said secures about $2.2 million in additional annual basic apportionment funding. He said the region has pledged more than $6.5 million toward tenant improvements and nursing‑training equipment for a proposed higher‑education build‑out; he said the city contributed $1,000,000 and that Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington committed $5,000,000 in county ARPA funds.

Kalpas highlighted a residency program at Temecula Valley Hospital and noted the hospital was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as high performing for certain conditions. He said the hospital and its graduate medical education partnerships have helped maintain “over a 60% retention rate” of trainees to date.

Public safety remained a top priority in the address. Kalpas thanked city and contracted law‑enforcement partners and the Temecula Fire Department, reporting 78 fire personnel across five stations and a four‑person staffing model for engines. He described new equipment and capabilities such as drones used by the sheriff’s department and a recently added Fire Medic UTV. Kalpas also noted the Temecula Citizens Corps volunteer program’s 48 trained volunteers and about 4,300 volunteer hours in emergency management and public education last year.

On transportation and infrastructure, Kalpas reviewed recent and ongoing projects: completion of French Valley Parkway phase 2, a Temecula Parkway northbound auxiliary lane opened last February, and current work on the Temecula Parkway off‑ramp landscaping funded in part by Pechanga. He said the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) launched a two‑year smart freeway pilot on I‑15 that uses sensors and coordinated ramp meters, and that design has started for French Valley Parkway phase 3, which would include an overpass to connect east and west parts of the city.

On housing and development, Kalpas listed several projects: the Altair master plan (about 270 acres and up to 1,750 single‑family and attached units), the Marlow development (about 260 units), Vine Creek Apartments (60 affordable units), and the remaining Paseo Del Sol component of 64 single‑family homes. He reiterated a median single‑family home price “right around $730,000” while calling for a variety of housing types for different life stages.

On finances, Kalpas said the council approved a balanced budget of nearly $114,000,000 and that reserves and a capital improvement program remain well stocked. He also warned of a multi‑quarter softening in sales tax revenue tied to general consumer goods and auto sectors, noting the city has adjusted spending priorities to maintain public safety and essential services.

Kalpas closed the address by reiterating confidence in Temecula’s trajectory and thanking staff, elected officials and community partners. “The state of our city remains strong,” he said.

Ending note: the speech was a broad update rather than a forum for formal council action; Kalpas’s remarks summarized projects and funding commitments but did not announce council votes or new ordinances during the address.