Riverside council approves museum renovation

The Riverside City Council has approved plans to renovate and expand the downtown Museum of Riverside.

The building at 3580 Mission Inn Ave., which has been closed since September 2017, will incorporate  the 1912 architectural style that now faces Mission Inn Avenue and a two-story structure will be added to the back of the building, according to a statement on the city’s website.

An expanded new Nature Lab with both indoor and outdoor space, dedicated classroom and a roof terrace are also planned features of the building.

Robyn G. Peterson, museum director, presented the museum’s redesign to the council. Members of the public and the museum’s board of directors spoke before the council cast its unanimous vote.

“The new Museum of Riverside blends old and new, allowing us to learn about our past in an inviting and modern setting,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said in the statement.  “Riverside residents, students and visitors will now have a chance to experience our city’s history with engaging exhibits and meaningful storytelling.”

The museum is expected to reopen in 2026.