Former RDA Projects

Lakeshore Drive Bridge used to be an old two-lane structure on decaying wood pilings, vulnerable to being washed out by storm runoff on the San Jacinto River. In the mid-90s, the RDA completed a full multi-lane bridge replacement to ensure one of the City's busiest arterial thoroughfares, Lakeshore Drive, could withstand heavy storm runoff and seismic activity.

In the late 80s, the RDA and EVMWD teamed up to provide sewer service to a neighborhood of nearly 200 homes that were experiencing septic system problems. The RDA and EVMWD also offered incentives for residents to hook up at a reduced rate. Street resurfacing and striping completed the project. Today, homeowners are realizing higher property values, in part, because the RDA was in a position to help fund the sewer system to modernize and improve this neighborhood.

Lake Elsinore would be less distinctive without the attraction of professional baseball at The Diamond. The stadium is a "proof of concept" that a top-flight entertainment venue does add value to our City's image as a recreation and tourism destination. The popularity of the Lake Elsinore Storm, affiliated with the San Diego Padres, has added to the City's bragging rights.

Before 1988, downtown Lake Elsinore was fading. The vacancy rate was high and Main Street businesses were in serious decline. Crime was a problem downtown and citizens felt unsafe there at night. Today, Historic Downtown Lake Elsinore is thriving and offers great new restaurants, antique and boutique shopping, successful businesses, and professional services. The historic '20s architecture has been renovated and preserved, along with new landscaping, streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, street trees, brick planters, public parking lots, period lighting, and sidewalk bollards and signposts. Business owners have taken advantage of RDA loans to install new storefront awnings and signs. The night scene is thriving and visitors downtown feel safe. Historic Main Street is one of the RDA's most successful revitalization projects.

Many other projects made possible by the RDA include:

• Lake Elsinore Outlet Center
• Lake Elsinore City Center (Wal-Mart)
• Lake Management/Levee contribution
• Collier Avenue Improvements
• San Jacinto Bridge retrofit
• Graham Street Public Parking Lot
• Mission Trail Rehabilitation
• San Jacinto River Channel Improvement
• Cultural Center Conversion/Rehabilitation
• Downtown Master Plan
• Auto Mall Overlay District Plan
• Graffiti Tracking and Surveillance Project
• Downtown Wireless Internet Project
• Chamber of Commerce Building Improvements
• Senior Center Expansion