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Community Victory: March Joint Powers Authority Board Rejects Meridian West Campus Upper Plateau Warehouse Project
- Shane Ysais
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RNOW and Community Advocates Successfully Defend Inland Valley Against Harmful Development
RIVERSIDE, CA — In a powerful show of community strength and solidarity, the March Joint Powers Authority (JPA) voted to reject the controversial Meridian West Campus Upper Plateau warehouse project, following a massive wave of public opposition.
Hundreds of residents, advocates, and youth packed the hearing room to speak out against the project, calling attention to the serious environmental and health consequences it would bring to already overburdened neighborhoods. Community members voiced deep concerns over air pollution, traffic congestion, and the flawed Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which failed to adequately address cumulative impacts.
At the center of this victory was Riverside Neighbors Opposing Warehouses (RNOW), whose tireless grassroots organizing, coalition building, and clear-eyed advocacy were instrumental in turning the tide. The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) extends our deepest thanks and heartfelt congratulations to RNOW for their leadership and unwavering defense of our region’s health and future.
“This was an incredible win for the community and the region — a David and Goliath story,” said Jennifer Larratt-Smith, RNOW leader. “When there’s big money on the other side, the challenges can feel insurmountable. But the community just showed us that you CAN come together and win.”
The Inland Valley is already home to some of the nation’s worst air quality and most heavily trafficked freight corridors. With vacant warehouses already lining the region, the Meridian West Campus project represented another step in the wrong direction. The JPA’s vote to reject it shows that people power can prevail when community voices are heard and respected.
“At CCAEJ, we are very proud of the community who came together to demand better alternatives near their homes. Let this also be a lesson for agencies and developers that the community deserves green spaces and social services without having to build warehouses, we can do so much better. He must address the impacts that are already here before we are more to the existing problems our communities face. To all the board members, thank you.” - Ana Gonzalez, CCAEJ Executive Director.
This outcome reflects what is possible when community members, neighbors, and advocacy groups come together to fight for a healthier, more just future.
CCAEJ remains committed to standing in solidarity with RNOW and other frontline allies to ensure land use decisions are guided by community input, sustainability, and long-term public health.
About CCAEJ: The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) is a nonprofit environmental justice organization based in Jurupa Valley. Dedicated to bringing clean air and environmental equity to all communities, CCAEJ engages in advocacy, education, and direct action to address environmental challenges and promote just and sustainable solutions. For more information, visit www.ccaej.org .
Contact Information: Ana Gonzalez/ Phone: 951-543-1739 /Email: ana.g@ccaej.org
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