Tensions were high Tuesday amid continued community pressure on the Riverside City Council to reconsider its decision to reject $20 million in state funds for an affordable housing project on University Avenue.
More than a dozen residents spoke at the February 3 meeting to urge the council to take another look at its January 13 decision that effectively killed a plan to convert 114 hotel rooms at the Quality Inn into studio apartments for both low-income residents and people transitioning out of homelessness.
“I wish that I could come up with the perfect words that would help one of you, who said no to this project, sincerely consider reconsideration of this project,” Luis Hernandez, who is running for the Ward 6 council seat, said. “The only thing I can think of is the 114 lives that you will change by giving them the opportunity to get off the street.”…