The Highlander
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
For the week of Tuesday, February 24, 2026
VOL. 74, ISSUE 18
est. 1954
NEWS
Riverside residents and local offices respond to housing plan rejection
RADAR Stomp, clap and shout at the Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Festival Vibrant Mexican song and dance is presented at Ramona High School.
ALONDRA ORDAZ / THE HIGHLANDER
City Council and the Farm House Collective face backlash from the community following rejection of University Ave. housing project. KASSANDRA AGUIRRE Staff Writer
In a 4-3 vote, the Riverside City Council voted against the conver-
sion of the Quality Inn into a shelter for low-income residents. The proposed site for development is located on University Ave. As the $20.1 million Homekey+ grant is projected to return to the state, residents and government offices have begun to make public shows of disapproval for the council’s inaction by calling for boycotts within the city and pursuing other litigation. The University of Califor-
nia, Riverside Associated Student Body’s (ASUCR) office of External Affairs called for a boycott of the local shopping mall Farm House Collective due to the business owner’s alleged role in lobbying councilmembers to vote against the project. was placed on administrative leave by the board after seven years working for the program. The article expands on the alleged... ► SEE FARMHOUSE HOUSING PLAN ON PAGE 5
OPINIONS
Riverside City Council, stop using UCR students as an excuse Rejection of the supportive housing project on University Avenue was a missed opportunity. THE EDITORIAL BOARD
COURTESY OF FREEPIK
On Jan. 13, 2026, the Riverside City Council voted against a $20 million supportive housing project that would have converted the Quality Inn Motel located on University Avenue into 114 units for individuals experiencing homelessness, residents with lower incomes and people with disabilities. The project sparked considerable controversy since its inception. In May 2025, when it was first introduced, the City Council was split 3-3, with Councilmember Conder absent. Mayor Patricia...
IAN PALMA / THE HIGHLANDER
IAN PALMA Radar Editor
On Feb. 21, 2026, the dull morning silence within the otherwise quaint city of Riverside was abruptly broken by the fervent sounds of gritos, dancing and music from the Ballet Folklórico and Mariachi Festival. Hosted at Ramona High School, the festival showcased the beautiful sights and sounds of Mexican culture through performances by various dance and mariachi groups, being free for all to come see and enjoy. Beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m., the festival was jam-packed with performances from thirty university, school and community organizations. From elementary school kids to middle school teens to university adults, performers of different ages went up on stage to dance to traditional Mexican music. Each group brought their own vivid outfits and choreography highlighting the different regional styles of music and dances seen throughout Mexico. Ballet Folklórico de UCR in particular took to the stage early, setting the scene for the first half of the festival... ► SEE FOLKLORICO ON PAGE 19
► SEE RIVERSIDE CITY COUNCIL ON PAGE 8
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