Temecula News & Updates

A Message from the City Manager

Greetings -

Have you ever wondered what circulation and infrastructure projects are in the pipeline? The City of Temecula's five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget includes 110 separate projects, totaling $927.5M in project costs. Effective July 1, 2024, the Fiscal Year 2025-29 CIP Budget is the largest in the City's history, and I am proud to share that approximately 64% of the funding is sourced from external opportunities such as federal and state grants, and regional funding. This is due to the diligent efforts by the City Council and staff to secure outside funding sources for the residents of Temecula.

A few popular projects planned this year and throughout 2025 include the following:

•Santa Gertrudis Creek Trail Undercrossing at Margarita Road

•Design enhancements to the Ynez Road/La Paz Road roundabout

•Completion of the North Bound Interstate 15 French Valley Parkway Phase 2 construction

•Completion of a new North Bound Interstate 15 auxiliary lane from Temecula Parkway to Rancho Cal Road

•Pavement Rehabilitation:

Rainbow Canyon Road from Pechanga Parkway to the southern City limits

Butterfield Stage Road (south of Temecula Parkway)

Pechanga Parkway (south of Temecula Parkway)

•North General Kearny widening between Camino Campos Verde and La Colima Road

•Ynez Road widening between Tierra Vista and Rancho Vista Road

•Interstate 15 Temecula Parkway Interchange landscaping

•Construction of the Nicolas Road extension and multi-use trail

•New sidewalks including:

6th Street (Old Town Front Street to Mercedes)

Pauba Road (La Primavera to Showalter Road)

•Construction of new splash pad and shade structures at Ronald J. Parks Community Recreation Center

•Construction of a new dog park at Michael Naggar Community Park

•New permanent restroom facilities at Long Canyon Creek Park and Vail Ranch Park

•Construction of 17 new dedicated pickleball courts at Ronald Reagan Sports Park

•Reconstruction of the hockey rink at Ronald Reagan Sports Park, plus new arena style roof structure

•Reconstruction of the skate park at Ronald Reagan Sports Park

•Completion of the Temecula Creek Wildfire Risk Reduction Community Plan

•Enhanced fencing along north side of Temecula Creek (Pechanga Parkway to Jedediah Smith Road)

•Building improvements to Fire Station 84 on Pauba Road

•Library technology enhancements

•Expansion of the Harveston Community Park Room (HCPR)

The City also recently completed construction of the brand new Margarita Recreation Center (MRC) encompassing over 8,500 square feet of state-of-the-art building space for intergenerational and special needs programming and, on the outside, a zero-depth entry 25-yard community pool.

In terms of the City of Temecula's Annual Operating Budget (AOB), Public Safety remains the City's highest priority with 54% of the City’s Annual Operating Budget expenditures dedicated to police and fire protection, as shared in a recent press release (click here).

Complete details on all projects, services and programs included in the City of Temecula's AOB and CIP budgets are online at TemeculaCA.gov/budget.

-Aaron Adams

If there’s an emergency, we can't alert you if we can't reach you!

Temecula’s Alert and Warning System:

- Sends emergency alerts directly to your phone

- Provides relevant information to those at risk

- Allows for protective action to be taken

- Empowers citizens to react and make informed decisions

- Can save lives

Cruisin' with Stew

Tune in to watch another episode of Cruisin' with Stew. This time Mayor Stew cruises over to the brand-new Margarita Recreation Center to share information about this beautiful new building and all that it offers: camps, classes, pool activities, special needs programs -- the MRC has it all.

More information: visit TemeculaCA.gov/MRC or call 951-302-4160.

Council Spotlight

Check out updates happening at the Ronald Reagan Sports Park:

Mayor Pro Tem Brenden Kalfus is at the fields along Margarita Road, where remodeled dugouts with upgraded ADA compliant features and shade structures were under construction (now recently completed). Can you guess which movie the first scene of this video is hinting at?

Council Member Jessica Alexander shares other exciting projects coming to the Ronald Reagan Sports Park including: new Skate Park (Fall 2025), new Splash Pad (August 2024), new Hockey Rink (Summer 2025), and new Pickleball Courts (late 2024).

Temecula's State of the City (SOTC) Online

If you missed the State of the City live at Pechanga in May, it is available to view on our website, here.

I-15/French Valley Parkway Phase 2 Project Update

Routine earthwork continues along northbound I-15.

Initial base paving has begun for the future I-215 connector.

Watch the short update with great aerials here.

Rainbow Canyon Road Pavement Rehabilitation

Road Rehabilitation of Rainbow Canyon Road between Pechanga Parkway and the southern City limits begins this month. IMPORTANT: Expect a FULL ROAD CLOSURE each night between 8pm-5am. The road will be open during the day but expect some lane closures between 9am-3pm. Estimated Completion: October 2024.

Pechanga Parkway Road Rehabilitation

Road Rehabilitation of Pechanga Parkway between Temecula Parkway and Via Eduardo begins this month. Lane closures can be expected between 7am-4:30pm. Estimated Completion: September 2024.

Butterfield Stage Road Rehabilitation

Road Rehabilitation of Butterfield Stage Road between Wolf Store Road and southern City limits begins this month. Lane closures can be expected between 7am-4:30pm. Estimated Completion: September 2024.

Sunset Market

Handcrafted Products

TODAY!

2nd & 4th Thursday of the Month

5-9pm

Town Square Park, Old Town Temecula, 41000 Main Street

Check out handcrafted, artisan and vintage vendors, grab a bite to eat or a sweet treat from our gourmet food court, and enjoy live, local music on the Town Square Park lawn.

For vendors and a map, visit TemeculaSunsetMarket.com.

Summer Concerts

Thursdays, 7-8:30pm

Town Square Park, Old Town Temecula, 41000 Main Street

Tonight! July 11: Tony Suraci (The Highwayman Show)

July 18: The Tokens (Sixties & Today)

July 25: Classic Journey (Journey Tribute)

TemeculaCA.gov/SummerConcerts

Cool Center Location:

Mary Phillips Senior Center

41845 6th Street

Monday - Friday, 9am-4pm

Need temporary relief from the heat? Our Cool Center will be open to the public as a drop-in site when a Heat Warning is issued due to temperatures reaching 97˚F or higher.

Resources and hot weather preparation information sheets, water, and light snacks will be provided.

More information about the Mary Phillips Senior Center is available at 951-694-6480.

Summer Food Service Program through August 9

The Summer Food Service Program will serve free, nutritious meals for children ages 18 years and younger, or persons with disabilities that are 18+ and participate in school programs. Meals are served on a first come, first served basis.

This program is now operating at

two locations this summer until August 9:

Michael "Mike" Naggar Community Park (29119 Margarita Road)

Monday - Friday, 12noon-1pm (or until meals are gone)

Rotary Park (28816 Pujol Street)

Monday and Friday, 10:30-11:30am (or until meals are gone)

For more information, call 951-694-6464.

Aquatics Programs

Ages 14 - Adults

Aqua Pilates (7/15-8/7) includes jumping jacks, marching, followed by arm, ab, thigh, and glutes strengthening by use of water weights and noodles.

Adaptive Water Exercise (7/16-8/8) is designed for adults with disabilities who are comfortable standing in chest high water and looking for a motivating atmosphere to improve their fitness and have fun!

Aqua Yoga (7/17-8/7) takes place in shallow water, and consists of deep breaths, upper body stretches, sun salutes, standing postures, and finishes with a relaxation exercise.

Visit Temeculaca.gov/Swim for more information.

Temecula Honors Our Military and Veterans – Thank you!

The City of Temecula has two programs that recognize both active-duty Military personnel and Veterans: Military Banner and the Path of Honor.

The Military Banner Program honors active-duty military personnel residing in the City of Temecula (or active-duty military personnel with immediate family residing in the City of Temecula) by displaying official military photo, name, rank, and branch of service.

The colorful banners are visible on Main Street (Civic Center to Main Street Bridge).

For more information and to apply at no cost, please visit TemeculaCA.gov/BannerProgram.

The Path of Honor Program honors Veterans from the US Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the WWII Merchant Marines with permanent granite pavers, each engraved with the names of men and women who have served our nation in our Armed Forces.

The pavers are beautifully placed along a path at the Temecula Duck Pond (28250 Ynez Rd). The cost is $185.

Reserve a paver by August 9, 2024 at TemeculaCA.gov/Path.

For more information visit TemeculaCA.gov/Veterans.

Basics of Google Ads (Thursday, July 18): Google Ads can be a highly effective tool for promoting your business, but its usefulness depends on various factors, including your business goals, target audience, budget, and how effectively you manage your campaigns. Join us to learn how you can use Google Ads to drive new customers for your business! Key Topics include: Create a Business Account on Google, Set up an Ad Campaign, How to Improve Performance, and How to Measure Success. Register here: https://bit.ly/3VsalGM

American Flag Retirement Sites at Fire Stations Throughout the City

Do you have a worn or tattered American Flag that is ready to be retired?

The City of Temecula has teamed up with the Temecula Valley VFW Post 4089 and a local Boy Scout Troop to appropriately retire American flags at Fire Stations throughout the City. Simply stop by your nearest Fire Station located in the City of Temecula, find the red bin out front, and drop the flag inside. The Boy Scouts will do the rest, with a ceremony to retire the American Flags properly.

Preparedness Packs Available at the Welcome Center

28690 Mercedes Street #A

The City of Temecula Community Preparedness Backpacks are grab-n-go kits that may save you and your family precious time in case of an emergency. The backpack is available to purchase for $45.99 (City's cost) and includes basic lifesaving essentials and important info on what to do in the event of a disaster, with items including:

A Disaster Radio with Flashlight & Cell Phone Charger
4-in-1 Gas & Water Shutoff Tool
Emergency Drinking Water
First Aid Kit, and more

Stop by our Welcome Center (near City Hall) or order online at the "Temecula Store".

Introducing Temecula Sustains!

FREE Composting/Recycling Pails for Temecula Residents (While Supplies Last)

Temecula Welcome Center

28690 Mercedes Street

(to the right of City Hall)

The Temecula Public Works Department has launched a new program, Temecula Sustains, which encompasses two areas of focus:

1) Composting & Recycling, and

2) Water Quality.

Temecula Sustains represents the City's commitment to the sustainability of the environmental elements that are so important to Temecula’s quality of life; clean air, clean water, and a clean environment.

The first area of focus (Composting & Recycling) provides FREE kitchen food scrap pails, while supplies last, to City of Temecula residents. These convenient little pails are provided by CR&R to collect food scraps to be emptied into the Green Organics Cart for curbside collection. Pick up yours at the Temecula Welcome Center. For more info, visit TemeculaCA.gov/Organic.

Stay tuned for information about the 2nd area of focus, Water Quality.

Youth Entrepreneurs

High School Summer Enrichment Program

July 17, 18, 19, July 24, 25, 26

Wed - Fri, 9am - 12pm

Entrepreneur's Exchange 43200 Business Park Drive

Class Fee: $25

The Youth Entrepreneur program provides high school students the opportunity to learn about creating, maintaining, and growing a small business from local business owners in the community. Students will learn business development and planning, budgeting, business law, marketing, and business pitching.

These e-blasts are provided by the Temecula City Manager’s Department to share current news and information from Temecula City Hall. We encourage you to forward these to your Temecula friends and neighbors. They can sign-up at TemeculaCA.gov/SignUp to receive City e-blasts directly.