Our weekly newsletter aims to keep residents and businesses connected to us and all that is going on in and throughout the City. You can connect with us and learn more about our community, cultural events and celebrations, and news of interest by reading this newsletter, visiting our website at cityofirvine.org, and following us on our social media channels listed at the bottom of this email. We look forward to connecting with you. 

Venta Spur Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge is Open

Irvine’s newest bicycle-pedestrian bridge is open!

The Venta Spur Bridge stretches over State Route 133, connecting the Venta Spur Trail to Great Park Neighborhoods and Portola High School. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held this week to officially open the bridge and welcome pedestrians and bicyclists across for the first time.

This is Irvine's 34^th pedestrian bridge and the third bridge to span a freeway. It encourages active transportation and offers pedestrians and bicyclists a safe, new connection for getting around our community. Learn more about the bridge located at Emberglow and Sable.

Reception and Swearing-In Ceremony for Irvine City Councilmembers

The community is invited to attend a 5:30 p.m. reception and 6:30 p.m. swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected Councilmembers Tuesday, December 13, at Irvine City Hall.

Councilmember-elect Kathleen Treseder, Councilmember-elect Larry Agran, and Mayor Farrah N. Khan will be sworn into office for their respective terms.

The City Council Meeting will begin at 4 p.m. The event is available to view live on ICTV, which is available on Cox Communications Channel 30, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, cityofirvine.org/ictv, and youtube.com/ictv30.

City of Irvine is Named a Top Workplace for 2022

The City of Irvine has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Orange County for the second consecutive year.

The City ranked No. 17 among large companies with 500 or more employees in The Orange County Register’s list of Top Workplaces for 2022, and it was the only Orange County municipality to receive the recognition.

The award, which is determined by employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey, speaks to the workplace culture and leadership, as well as the City’s investment in its employees.

Learn more about the City and hear employees share what they love about working here in this video. To view current job openings and apply, visitcityofirvine.org/jobs.

Learn About Great Park Development December 12

The community is invited to a Great Park Development and Framework Plan Town Hall Monday, December 12, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Great Park Hangar 244 to learn about the continued development planned for Great Park.

Get information on the initial phase of the Great Park Framework Plan that will bring 300 acres of exciting new park amenities, including a world-class outdoor amphitheater, new cultural attractions, and expansive space dedicated to unprogrammed passive enjoyment.

An additional town hall is planned for those who cannot make the December meeting Monday, January 23, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Irvine City Hall Council Chamber.

The meetings are open to the public and no RSVP is needed. For more information, visit yourgreatpark.org.

Opening Reception for "Old Town Irvine" Exhibition

Join us Thursday, December 15, at an opening reception for “Old Town Irvine,” the new art exhibition at City Hall. The reception will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. 

The exhibition is part of the “Art at City Hall” series and will be on display through March 17. It is presented in collaboration with the Irvine Historical Society and features photographs that capture our City's small-town origins. 

Holiday Activities and Events

- Home for the Holidays Pet Adoption and Fundraiser is Sunday, December 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine.

- Send your letters to Santa by Monday, December 12.

- Donate toys to military families through the annual Holiday Toy Drive. Toys will be accepted through Wednesday, December 14. A drive-thru, drop-off event will take place Saturday, December 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at Irvine Civic Center.

- Visit Holidayz at the Park at Great Park through Sunday, January 1.

Human Rights Day

Saturday, December 10, is Human Rights Day. This year marks the 75th anniversary since the United Nation’s General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the rights of every individual everywhere, without distinction, based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.

The City of Irvine is committed to embracing and celebrating our community’s diversity, confronting systemic racism, and creating an inclusive environment that ensures people are treated with fairness and have access to equitable services and opportunities. Learn more about our efforts in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s Year One Report and on our DEI Spotlight page.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Dec. 13 | 4 p.m.

City Council

Dec. 14 | 1:30 p.m.
Zoning Administrator

Dec. 22 | 5 p.m. 
DEI Committee

View the City Calendar