Renew The Library

ALICIA ROBINSON, August 12, 2009

Riverside to consider shifting redevelopment money from one area to another

Riverside officials will consider merging two redevelopment areas, a change that would allow property taxes collected in one area to be spent in another as needed.

The merger of the Hunter Park/Northside and Downtown/Airport Industrial areas, which the City Council will discuss Tuesday, is one of several changes proposed for three of the city's seven redevelopment zones that would give officials more leeway on how much money they could borrow and where they could spend it to reduce blight.

"It provides more flexibility for the council on moving some money around to do some improvement projects" sooner than they might otherwise get done, said Councilman Mike Gardner, whose ward includes the two areas to be combined.

If the merger goes forward, some residents will be watching carefully to see how the money is spent. Lenny Mercier, president of the Northside Improvement Association, said his group hopes the pooled redevelopment funds don't favor some areas over others.

Residents would like to see Main Street improved from First Street to Highway 60, and they'd welcome a grocery store in their neighborhood, he said.

While Mercier supports the city's redevelopment overall, "Not as much attention has been focused in our area," he said. "We just don't want to be left out."

Gardner said he can only answer that concern by saying he won't support lavishing improvements on some areas while others get none.

"You have to sort of take the council's word that they're not going to rob you blind," he said.

There's not a specific list of projects that would be done, Gardner said, but upgrades to the downtown library, museum and municipal auditorium likely would be included.

The proposed changes are forward-looking rather than immediate, because the poor economy, property reassessments and a group of bonds issued in 2007 have temporarily maxed out the city's capacity to borrow for redevelopment, said Wendy Holland, a redevelopment program manager.

Redevelopment agencies don't impose new taxes, but they collect a portion of the property taxes from an area and spend the money on improvement projects such as fixing up properties, building sidewalks and parks, and drawing businesses to the area.

Other changes to be voted on Tuesday include allowing the agency more time to use eminent domain in the Downtown/Airport area and the University Corridor/Sycamore Canyon area, and removing any expiration date on when those areas could borrow money.

Longtime city activist and redevelopment opponent Karen Renfro said she'll oppose the changes because of general concerns with redevelopment and specific complaints about the proposal to be heard Tuesday.

"A lot of the things that they classify as blight in this proposal are code enforcement issues," she said.

Renfro said she thinks officials should be tightening the city's belt rather than planning to borrow and spend more.

Reach Alicia Robinson at 951-368-9461 or arobinson@PE.com.

Riverside Redevelopment Changes

City officials will consider changes to three of Riverside's seven redevelopment project areas that would allow them more time to borrow money and use eminent domain, and more leeway on where to spend money on projects.

WHAT: Public hearings on redevelopment changes

WHEN: Tuesday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Council chambers, Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main St.

INFORMATION: Call 951-826-5557 or visit www.riversideca.gov/redev/ and click on "2009 redevelopment plan amendments and merger"


ALICIA ROBINSON, August 12, 2009 Riverside to consider shifting redevelopment money from one area to another Riverside officials will consider merging two redevelopment areas, a change that would allow property taxes collected in one area to be spent in another as needed. The merger of the Hunter Park/Northside and Downtown/Airport Industrial areas, which the City Council will discuss Tuesday, is one of several changes proposed for three of the city's seven redevelopment zones that would give officials more leeway on how much money they could borrow and where they could spend it to reduce blight. "It provides more flexibility for the council on moving some money around to do some improvement projects" sooner than they might otherwise get done, said Councilman Mike Gardner, whose ward includes the two areas to be combined. If the merger goes forward, some residents will be watching carefully to see how the money is spent. Lenny Mercier, president of the Northside Improvement Association, said his group hopes the pooled redevelopment funds don't favor some areas over others. Residents would like to see Main Street improved from First Street to Highway 60, and they'd welcome a grocery store in their neighborhood, he said. While Mercier supports the city's redevelopment overall, "Not as much attention has been focused in our area," he said. "We just don't want to be left out." Gardner said he can only answer that concern by saying he won't support lavishing improvements on some areas while others get none. "You have to sort of take the council's word that they're not going to rob you blind," he said. There's not a specific list of projects that would be done, Gardner said, but upgrades to the downtown library, museum and municipal auditorium likely would be included. The proposed changes are forward-looking rather than immediate, because the poor economy, property reassessments and a group of bonds issued in 2007 have temporarily maxed out the city's capacity to borrow for redevelopment, said Wendy Holland, a redevelopment program manager. Redevelopment agencies don't impose new taxes, but they collect a portion of the property taxes from an area and spend the money on improvement projects such as fixing up properties, building sidewalks and parks, and drawing businesses to the area. Other changes to be voted on Tuesday include allowing the agency more time to use eminent domain in the Downtown/Airport area and the University Corridor/Sycamore Canyon area, and removing any expiration date on when those areas could borrow money. Longtime city activist and redevelopment opponent Karen Renfro said she'll oppose the changes because of general concerns with redevelopment and specific complaints about the proposal to be heard Tuesday. "A lot of the things that they classify as blight in this proposal are code enforcement issues," she said. Renfro said she thinks officials should be tightening the city's belt rather than planning to borrow and spend more. Reach Alicia Robinson at 951-368-9461 or arobinson@PE.com. Riverside Redevelopment Changes City officials will consider changes to three of Riverside's seven redevelopment project areas that would allow them more time to borrow money and use eminent domain, and more leeway on where to spend money on projects. WHAT: Public hearings on redevelopment changes WHEN: Tuesday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. WHERE: Council chambers, Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main St. INFORMATION: Call 951-826-5557 or visit www.riversideca.gov/redev/ and click on "2009 redevelopment plan amendments and merger"