Riverside council votes to proceed with property acquisition for Brooklyn/Palm project

The Riverside City Council voted to adopt a resolution finding a public interest and necessity to acquire real property interests needed for the Brooklyn Avenue/Palm Avenue project.

The action came after a staff presentation describing negotiations with the California Department of General Services and the need to secure temporary construction easements and property needed for right-of-way. Ben Morales introduced the resolution, saying the city is cooperating with state representatives and that property notices have been provided to affected owners under the statutory process.

“We are working cooperatively with the Department of General Services,” Morales said, summarizing staff’s account of the negotiation status and the steps that remain before construction starts. Staff told the council the acquisition process follows the notice requirements described in California Government Code section 14664.1(a).

Council members called the roll and the presiding official announced the motion carried; the transcript records the motion as approved. The meeting did not record detailed vote tallies in the public minutes provided during the meeting; the clerk recorded the motion as passed.

Why it matters: The acquisition clears a path for the project to proceed toward construction, and staff said the timing places the project in position to begin work in April pending completion of the right-of-way process.

What’s next: Staff will continue negotiations and follow the statutory notice and acquisition procedures; the council’s action is the formal step finding the public necessity for acquisition. The transcript indicates city staff expect to begin construction work once right-of-way interests are secured.