Good morning, neighbors. There is a palpable buzz in the air today, and it’s not just the crisp 68-degree Inland Empire breeze.
For decades, we’ve talked about Eastvale having a "heart"—a central place to gather, dine, and build memories. While we wait for the final pieces to fall into place, looking around our city reveals that the vision is steadily becoming a reality. We are defining the next chapter of our city, brick by brick.
🏗️ The Heart of Eastvale: Progress Report
Discussions regarding the Leal Property continue to generate excitement. While the residential portion (Phase 1) wrapped up in 2025, we are still a little ways out from shopping in the city center.
The commercial "Downtown Eastvale" (Lifestyle Center) is currently on track to open between 2027 and 2028. It’s not just a strip mall in the making; it’s a future destination for high-end grocery concepts and chef-driven restaurants. It’s a vision worth the wait.
Meanwhile, work is already well underway on the civic side. Construction on the Eastvale Civic Center, including our highly anticipated new Library, has been progressing steadily since the groundbreaking on August 28, 2025. Our downtown is becoming a hub for education and community connection as much as commerce.
🌉 Hamner Avenue Bridge: A Smooth Connection
Remember the days of bottleneck traffic over the Santa Ana River? They feel like a distant memory now. The Mayor Berwin Hanna Bridge (formerly Hamner Avenue Bridge) has been fully operational with all six lanes since August 2024.
For nearly a year and a half, it has served as a reliable staple of our infrastructure. If you’re heading out tonight, take a moment to enjoy the smooth ride and the view—it's a testament to what happens when our city invests in its future.
🐉 Save the Date: Lantern Festival 2026
Get your calendars ready! The annual Eastvale Lantern Festival is scheduled for February 21–22, 2026, at Roosevelt High School.
This beloved event celebrates our community's rich cultural diversity with incredible food, vibrant performances, and local spirit. Since it’s a bit later than the January dates some might expect, make sure you have the correct weekend marked down to celebrate the Lunar New Year with your neighbors!
🛡️ Safer Streets & Stable Schools
• Public Safety: In our continued effort to keep growth safe, the city is benefiting from the additional Special Enforcement Team (SET) deputy funded in the last budget cycle. This investment ensures our neighborhoods remain the safe, family-friendly spaces we love.
• Education Update: Good news for parents at Ronald Reagan Elementary. Enrollment has stabilized and is currently projected to decrease slightly, meaning no overcrowding crisis and no immediate boundary changes. Consequently, there is no Town Hall meeting tonight.
💼 Business Brief: Hamner Place
Local foodies still have plenty to enjoy at Hamner Place. With staples like Chipotle and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream thriving, it remains a go-to spot for a quick bite or a treat with the family. While we keep an eye out for new retail openings this spring, the current lineup continues to serve as a great local anchor.
📍 Local Impact: The Cheat Sheet
• Downtown: Commercial opening targeted for 2027/28; Civic Center/Library construction is ongoing.
• Commute: The Mayor Berwin Hanna Bridge remains fully open and efficient.
• Schools: Boundaries are stable; no Town Hall meeting scheduled for tonight.
• Events: Lantern Festival @ Roosevelt High, Feb 21-22.
💬 Community Perspective
As we look at the construction cranes and orange cones across town, it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come. We are no longer just a "commuter town"—we are a destination in the making. Whether you're counting down the days to the 2027 dining district or enjoying the stability of our local schools, Eastvale is the place to be in 2026.
What future project are you most looking forward to in Eastvale? Reply to this email and let us know—we’ll feature the best responses in tomorrow’s edition!
