The Riverside City Council voted 4-3 on Jan. 13 to reject a state Homekey+ award of up to $20,137,410, halting a plan to convert a University Avenue motel into 114 studio apartments that supporters said would have brought permanent supportive housing online quickly — and touched off a tense finish to a meeting where most speakers urged approval.
Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, who represents Ward 2 where the project site sits, voted yes alongside Councilmembers Jim Perry and Steve Hemenway. Councilmembers Philip Falcone, Steven Robillard, Chuck Conder and Sean Mill voted no.
As the final votes landed, frustration in the chamber rose. Some attendees shouted remarks at councilmembers as they left, angry that a project with broad public support had been rejected. The meeting drew more than 100 people in person and the mayor shortened public comment amid heavy participation…