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A relatively young city, its rapid growth in the 1980s and the first decade of the 21st century made it the second-largest city in Riverside County by population, and one of the Inland Empire's population centers. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 193,365. Neighboring Riverside, California is the largest city in the county and the two cities are closely tied.

Located just north of Lake Perris, Moreno Valley shares March Joint Air Reserve Base with both Riverside, California and the city of Perris.


Prehistory to 1800s

Moreno Valley was originally inhabited by hunter-gatherer Native Americans of the Shoshone tribe. The first Europeans to see the area was Nick Huitrado, sent from Mexico to explore the area. These Spanish scouts blazed a number of trails in the area, including the Anza Trail, which runs through the Edgemont area of present-day Moreno Valley. The relatively dry portion of the city was largely ignored by these earliest settlers.

U.S. Settlement

When California entered the United States as a state in 1850, Americans began to move into the area. The Tucson-to-San Francisco route of John Butterfield's Overland Mail Company passed through Moreno Valley. Some farmers began to occupy the area. They relied upon Frank E. Brown's Bear Valley Land and Water Company to provide them water, which was collected and pumped from Bear Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains to the north. Brown began performing this service in 1883. In 1899, the city of Redlands won a lawsuit in which the city claimed eminent domain over the Bear Valley water; the resulting loss of service forced most of Moreno Valley's inhabitants to move. The valley first acquired its current name, "Moreno Valley," at this time; the name is derived from Frank Brown's name ("moreno" is Spanish for "dark").

March Field (Air Force Base)

The revival of Moreno Valley began in 1918, when the United States Air Force (then the United States Army Air Service) constructed March Field on the outskirts of Riverside as part of its World War I expansion. March Field was initially used to train fighter pilots. Although it was closed in 1922, it was reopened in 1927 and eventually became a full Air Force base. The presence of March caused the unincorporated communities of Sunnymead, Moreno, and Edgemont to develop and grow. In World War II, March again became a training ground for military pilots.

Riverside International Raceway...."Start Your Engines!"

From 1957 to 1989, Riverside International Raceway occupied the current site of the Moreno Valley Mall. The Riverside International Raceway (Sometimes known as RIR or Riverside Raceway) race track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 3, 1989. Races held at the Riverside International Raceway included IMSA,NASCAR, Indycar, NHRA drag racing and AMA motorcycle racing. The "roar" of the race car engines on race day could only be drowned out by the occaisional fly over of a B52 from nearby March Field.



Incorporation....Welcome to MORENO VALLEY!

Moreno Valley experienced explosive growth in the 1980s; by 1984, the valley's population was 49,702 (contrasted with 18,871 residents in 1970). The state economic boom fueled the construction of new houses and businesses. This growth led to a push for incorporation. Although similar measures had failed in 1968 and 1983, a measure to form the city of Moreno Valley was approved by voters in 1984. The communities of Edgemont, Sunnymead, and Moreno were incorporated on December 3, 1984 to form the general law city of Moreno Valley. The first City Council was also elected in 1984, composed of Bob Lynn, Judith A. Nieburger, Steven Webb, J. David Horspool (first Mayor Pro Tem), and Marshall C. Scott (first Mayor). The City Seal and Motto were adopted the following year.

Bust and boom.....

By 1990, Moreno Valley had exploded in population growth to become the second largest city in Riverside County with a population of over 118,000. Growth continued until about 1992.

In the 1990s, the robust Moreno Valley economy deteriorated, largely due to the statewide economic downturn. Many people began to leave the city. March was also downsized to its present status as March Air Reserve Base. The surplus land was given to the March Joint Powers Authority, made up of representatives of Riverside County and the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Perris for development. The dismal economic trend began to reverse in the late part of the decade, however. Companies such as Aurora Modular, U-Haul, and Lowe's moved major operating facilities to the city or neighboring municipalities (although Aurora later filed for bankruptcy).

By the early 21st century, the arrival of so many newcomers to Riverside County and the soaring cost of living in Los Angeles and Orange County combined to make the less-developed southern half of the Inland Empire a very attractive place for industry.

Nevertheless, Moreno Valley's coming of age can also be seen in the growth of the area around the Moreno Valley Mall (former location of the Riverside Raceway from 1957 to 1989) and nearby Day Street, which straddles the border between Moreno Valley and Riverside. The area has seen massive construction in recent years, attracting Lowe's, Starbucks, Outback Steakhouse, and other stores often seen as prestigious. A Pat & Oscar's and PFF Bank & Trust are being built, and rumors of Famous Dave's and Barnes & Noble coming to the area have also emerged lately. These establishments are often seen as appealing to the upper-middle class; this appeal may help attract attention and money to the city.

On the east end of the city off Moreno Beach Drive, a new Wal-Mart was opened in early 2006 (233,000 sq ft (21,600 m2), huge for a traditional Wal-Mart) next to the Moreno Valley Auto Mall. This is also the site of the first Super Target in California and the first (and only) Best Buy store located within Moreno Valley city limits, which opened in July and October 2007, respectively. The exit off state route 60 is the main way to the Moreno Valley Ranch Golf Course, once included in Golf Magazine's Top 75 Golf Courses in the USA.

Recent proposals to turn March Joint Air Reserve Base to a major commercial airport was been debated in 2005, but the plan was rejected by the Riverside county board of supervisors, until further notice. However, the coming of quieter, more environmentally friendly aircraft and cheaper security procedures and utilities may signal a re-consideration of the plan. In May 2008 the March JPA approved opening the facility to general aircraft.

March Air Reserve base has a ball park facility, where the semi-pro baseball Inland Empire Rockets of the Southern California League play in the summer months season.

DHL Controversy (another big wherehouse!)

While some may view DHL's selection of March Air Reserve Base as its new Southern California hub as a "bright spot", the March JPA and March Global Port operations that brought DHL have been a matter of considerable controversy. DHL selected the March airport over San Bernardino International Airport and LA/Ontario International Airport. The DHL facility commenced operations in October 2005 (previously expected to be running by March 2005). While initial claims were that the facility would employ 250 workers in its initial stage, over 300 employees went to work daily during normal operations.

Neighboring residents filed an unsuccessful lawsuit to block the zoning change necessary to allow DHL's operations.

In November 2008, due to escalating financial losses associated with deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, DHL announced it was leaving the U.S. market and would shut its operation associated with March Air Field in January 2009.

One of the most visible geographical features in Moreno Valley, visible from almost anywhere in the city, is Box Springs Mountain. This mountain at the northwest end of the city towers over the city, providing a concrete landmark. The face of the mountain that faces the city has a large "M" constructed upon it. This was built privately at the encouragement of the City Council, which argued it would foster unity. The letter is located on public land and is maintained entirely by charity. The letter had lights installed on December 3, 2005 to celebrate Moreno Valley's 21st anniversary of its incorporation and the completion of the repairs of heavy damage to the M, due to excessive rain the year before. The mayor at that time, Bonnie Flickinger, has said that the citizens liked it that way and that the council would try to get it to light up regularly. Between December 2, 2009 and December 6, 2009, Moreno Valley, along with Edison lit up the "M" in celebration of the city's 25th anniversary. Several Eagle Scout projects have been dedicated to maintaining the letter.

 

 

Government......

Local

Moreno Valley is an incorporated common law city. It is governed by a council-manager government. The city is divided into five districts, each of which elect a representative. The council chooses two of its own members to serve as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. The council also selects the city manager. The current City Council consists of:

  • District 1: Jesse Molina
  • District 2: Richard Stewart
  • District 3: Robin Hastings
  • District 4: Marcelo Co
  • District 5: William H. Batey II

Richard Stewart is the current Mayor. Jesse Molina is the current Mayor Pro Tem. The current City Manager is Henry Garcia.

According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $243.3 million in Revenues, $132.8 million in expenditures, $1,076.3 million in total assets, $195.3 million in total liabilities, and $293.8 million in cash and investments.

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:

City Department Director
City Manager Henry Garcia
Assistant City Manager Michelle Dawson
City Attorney Bob Hansen
City Clerk Jane Halstead
Community & Economic Development Director Barry Foster
Financial & Administrative Services Director Richard Teichert
Fire Chief Steve Curley
Human Resources Director Juris "Sonny" Morkus
Parks and Community Services Director Michael McCarty
Police Chief John Anderson
Public Works Director / City Engineer Chris A. Vogt

State and Federal

In the state legislature Moreno Valley is located in the 37th Senate District, represented by Republican Bill Emmerson, and in the 63rd, 64th, and 65th Assembly Districts, represented by Republicans Mike Morrell, Brian Nestande, and Paul Cook respectively. Federally, Moreno Valley is located in California's 45th congressional district,  is represented by Republican Mary Bono Mack.

Public Safety

Moreno Valley is serviced by its own regional station of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement. The sheriff's station is currently commanded by Captain John Anderson, who also functions as Moreno Valley's Chief of Police.

Moreno Valley also contracts for fire services with the Riverside County Fire Department through a cooperative agreement with Cal Fire (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection). Six paramedic engines and three truck companies provide both medical support and fire related services to the city.

American Medical Response is responsible for transports to emergency departments via paramedic ambulance.





Education

Moreno Valley's primary and secondary education needs are fulfilled by the Moreno Valley Unified School District and the Val Verde Unified School District. The former serves approximately 35,000 students, the bulk of the city's children, and has 35 schools, including five high schools: Moreno Valley High School, Canyon Springs High School, Valley View High School, March Mountain High School, and Vista del Lago High School. Val Verde District serves part of southern and eastern Moreno Valley, in addition to parts of Perris, Mead Valley, and unincorporated areas. It serves about 13,000 students and maintains 12 schools; one of its high schools, Rancho Verde High School, is located in Moreno Valley. Some private schools exist, including the local Valley Christian Academy, established in 1979, and Calvary Chapel Academy.

The Riverside Community College District, RCCD, serves 6,500 students at their Moreno Valley College campus. The city is also the location of one of the twenty-six Chapman University campuses. In Neighboring Riverside, students may opt to attend RCCD's main campus, Riverside Community College, the University of California, Riverside, La Sierra University or California Baptist University. California State University, San Bernardino is another popular school for city high school graduates.

Economy

According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 March Air Reserve Base 9,000
2 Moreno Valley Unified School District 3,752
3 Riverside County Regional Medical Center 2,215
4 Moreno Valley Mall 1,669
5 City of Moreno Valley 1,183
6 Riverside Community College 1,038
7 Val Verde Unified School District 734
8 Walgreens 650
9 Ross Stores 600
10 Wal-Mart 465

Hospitals

There are two hospitals in Moreno Valley,

  • Kaiser Permanente Community Hospital, formerly Moreno Valley Community Hospital, is a General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services as of 2008. Kaiser Permanente officially acquired the Moreno Valley Community Hospital and took complete control in July 2008. Current Kaiser Permanente members began receiving notification of the purchase in March 2008. Moreno Valley residents will not feel the effects of the acquisition immediately, as Kaiser Permanente members were asked to continue using the nearby Riverside facility and the Moreno Valley Clinic for hospital services while the transition process is completed. Kaiser Permanente is planning to increase the size and capacity of the new hospital by adding a new 80+ patient tower and expanding the main facility, as well as increasing the size of the emergency and operating rooms.
  • Riverside County Regional Medical Center is a General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services and a Level II Trauma Center.

Notable residents

courtesy www.wikipedia.org

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