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Corona highlights downtown revival as new restaurants and Six Street work take shape
Summary
City leaders and economic development staff celebrated recent downtown openings and outlined a multi‑block revitalization plan focused on Sixth and Main, new retail and a planned Six Street pedestrian transformation intended to increase foot traffic and local business activity.
City officials on April 15 framed downtown Corona’s redevelopment as the centerpiece of economic revitalization, pointing to recent business openings and an underway Six Street reconstruction intended to prioritize pedestrians, trees and public spaces.
The council watched a City video and heard from Economic Development Director Joel Belding and department staff about a wave of new businesses in the South Mall and downtown core — including Claros, Circle City Tavern and the recently announced Wine Down wine bar — which leaders described as “proof of concept” that residents want more dining and entertainment options. “The team is very excited. It’s going to be really awesome to see these projects come to the center of the circle and just see the area thrive,” a city promotional host said during the presentation.
Belding said the department has advanced nine project areas in the downtown plan and highlighted a recently completed South Mall parking lot and tenant openings there. He outlined an upcoming conversion of a former retail building into a food hall with a roller‑rink anchor, and said the city is preparing a request for bids to start that project later this year with an expected opening in 2027. He also described the “Six Street transformation,” a streetscape project that will reduce vehicle lanes, add center medians and trees and connect the South and North malls. “We are trying to create a safe, walkable downtown that has the things our community has expressed to us they want,” he said.
Why it matters: City staff and elected leaders argued that the combination of public‑led infrastructure improvements and targeted tenant recruitment is designed to boost foot traffic, expand local jobs and increase sales tax receipts. Belding said staff are pursuing outside operators and property managers for larger projects to ensure long‑term commercial viability.
What’s next: Staff said property acquisitions for the North Mall are nearly complete — only one parcel remains — and the city will continue design and developer outreach. The council did not take a separate vote on a specific downtown project at the meeting but approved funding and programs referenced in other agenda items that support the broader strategy.
