Member of the Month Archive

California Bars, Restaurants Could Renegotiate Rent or Quit Leases in Coronavirus Relief Bill

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

(Sacramento Bee) California restaurants and nonprofits financially devastated by the Coronavirus outbreak could gain a safeguard from eviction and rent relief in a proposal approved by state senators. Senate Bill 939 would prevent commercial landlords from evicting certain small businesses and nonprofits during the pandemic. The proposal would also allow bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues to renegotiate rent prices with their landlords if they’ve experienced a 40% drop in revenue or have limited their capacity by at least 25% to safely reopen their doors. Tenants and landlords would have the flexibility to cut their own rent deal, and should negotiations turn sour, ...

City of Irvine Ranked No. 1 in California, Top 10 in Nation for Public Park Access

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

The City of Irvine has been ranked No. 1 in California and No. 7 in the nation for public park access by the Trust for Public Land annual ParkScore Index. The index ranks the nation’s 100 largest cities based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities. This is the third consecutive year the city’s parks have ranked in the top 10 nationally. Irvine earned perfect scores in park spending per resident and basketball hoops per 10,000 residents; the city also earned high marks in community centers and playgrounds. The ParkScore Index noted that 82% of Irvine parks are within ...

Orange County is Built for Resilience

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

By Bryan Starr, President & CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber | Published in the May 25 issue of the Orange County Business Journal By many estimates, California is better positioned for economic recovery as we emerge from the Coronavirus crisis than any other state in the nation. While the state isn’t quite yet out of the woods, Orange County itself is ready to open. Monitoring trend lines of the disease to determine when and how to reopen business is a smart strategy. How we will fare is not purely a numbers game, however. Where the Golden State really shines—always, but particularly in times of crisis—i...

You Can Shop Anywhere in California, State Officials Relax Coronavirus Restrictions

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

(Sacramento Bee) The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that retail stores statewide can now open for in-store shopping as long as they follow state guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection for workers and customers. State health officials also announced guidelines for in-person protests and events designed for political expression. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has faced protests regarding the stay-at-home order, which has been in place since March 19. The vast majority of large gatherings remain prohibited under the state’s stay-at-home order. The guidance for protests limits attendance to 25% of an area’s maximum occupancy, or up to 100 attendees, accordin...

Irvine Named a Best City to Stay-in-Place in the United States

Monday, May 04, 2020

With every major U.S. city under stay-in-place orders, a popular radio station issued a list of American cities from best to worst when it comes to living under social distancing mandates. Irvine made the #2 spot on the list. (Although, we strongly argue it should be #1!) The criteria used for the ranking include average apartment size, the amount of parkland per person, percentage of residents with broadband internet, and the number of restaurant takeout options. Master-planned features of Irvine make complying to stay-at-home orders more comfortable. An extensive network of beautifully-appointed villages that have always connected us, now helps us adhere to social distancing. Irvine resident...

Irvine’s Modern Stays and International Culinary Venues Featured in Popular Pacific Northwest Magazine

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Irvine’s modern, recently renovated Hotel Irvine, and one-of-a-kind international shopping and dining center Diamond Jamboree were highlighted in the March 2020 issue of Northwest50Plus magazine. The feature detailed the palm tree-lined pool at Hotel Irvine, which can be enjoyed on the nearly 300 days of warm, sunny Southern California weather, as well as the facilities expansive ballroom and Red Bar lounge. Also included in the feature was Diamond Jamboree’s wide variety of international food options, highlighting the city’s many cultures. “Everyone knows California is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, and it's evident in Orange County. One of my favorite ventures wa...

Irvine State of the City Address Set for February 25

Friday, February 07, 2020

The public is invited to attend as Irvine Mayor Christina L. Shea delivers her State of the City Address on Tuesday, Feb. 25 in the Council Chamber at the Irvine Civic Center. The address will highlight accomplishments of the past year, as well as look to what’s ahead in 2020. New this year: Beginning at 3 p.m. the community is invited to the Irvine Civic Center piazza for a grazing goats educational and interactive experience. Learn more about the City’s sustainability efforts, Organic Pesticide Use Policy, and how goats are being used to maintain our open space and prevent wildfires. A receptio...

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