The City of Riverside is renowned for its unique downtown that consists of 9 distinct districts, and features more than 70 historic landmarks, including the Historic Mission Inn, a vibrant arts, culture, and entertainment district, the Justice Center, with the renowned Riverside County Court House, excellent boutique and antique shopping, and high-end dining. Downtown Riverside is currently a hotbed of economic development and cultural activity that is closely following the recently adopted Downtown Specific Plan. This award-winning Plan envisions Downtown Riverside as a:

• Renowned urban center
• A vibrant mix of retail, residential, civic, employment, educational, cultural and arts resources in a walkable downtown environment
• A place of daytime, evening, and weekend activity
• The economic, cultural, and entertainment center of the Inland Empire
• A highly desirable living environment and a place of increased employment opportunities
• A citywide and regional destination

And it is well on its way! Currently, there is almost 1/2 billion dollars worth of private and public investment projects slated for the Downtown. This includes over 400,000 square feet of "Class A" office space, residential/mixed use development projects in the Villaggio Gateway and La Valencianna projects, new restaurants, gateway improvements, parking, and other interesting development.

Recently, in partnership with SmartRiverside, the city launched the Downtown Wireless Mall where residents, visitors, workers, jurors, merchants, diners, conventioneers and students can access free high-speed wireless Internet on the Main Street Pedestrian Mall. Users with notebook computers or hand-held devices (PDAs) that have wireless capabilities, simply need to click onto their Web browser, as they would from home or work, and they will get high-speed access.

The wireless network is a strong sign that Riverside is a progressive, innovative city that fosters high technology and leverages its uses for the benefit of all. It is a special attraction for Riverside. Only one other city in Southern California offers a similar free service. The Wireless Mall runs along the Main Street pedestrian mall between the Riverside Convention Center on Third Avenue and the Riverside County Superior Court near Eleventh Street. The jury assembly room in the County Courthouse will also have wireless coverage as part of this first phase.