In 1981, the Carlsbad City Council adopted a Redevelopment Plan for the Village area. The plan will expire in July, which has concerned many because they believe it means the focus on the Village also will end.
The Village is a critical component of a healthy economy for the city of Carlsbad, so it would not be in the best interest of the city to ignore it. While some of the tools used to address redevelopment of the Village will be changing, the focus is not anticipated to change.
According to state law, a redevelopment project area must demonstrate that it has substantial blighting conditions in order to be eligible to establish a redevelopment plan and use the tools set forth by the State of California. In 1981, the Village area had substantial blight, which included declining property values, high crime, commercial building vacancies of more than 50 percent and numerous disreputable and undesirable businesses.
These blighting conditions made the Village eligible to use the redevelopment tools outlined by state law. Since 1981, there has been great success in eliminating these blighting conditions.
We can no longer make the blight findings necessary to continue as a redevelopment project area under state law, so the plan will expire. However, we need to celebrate our success while moving into the next phase, which is continued revitalization efforts with some different tools and authorities.
Because redevelopment is a slow process, many do not remember that we have had a lot of success since the plan was adopted. More than $26 million in public funds have been spent to complete a variety of projects and programs that have significantly changed the character of the Village and helped create its current charm and wonderful ambiance.
Many rundown establishments were replaced with a wonderful assortment of shops, businesses and restaurants. There has been more than $258 million in private investment.
Commercial building vacancy rates have decreased from more than 50 percent to less than 5 percent. Sales tax revenues have increased by more than 25 percent since 2001.
Total property values have increased from $45 million to more than $285 million. The Village consistently receives high marks in the city survey.
With a weakened economy, we know that we still have work to do. There are a number of efforts being implemented and programs being developed to help continue the revitalization of the Village.
Revisions to the development standards for the Village to encourage additional development have been approved. Efforts are being made to implement the recommendations from the Village Business Development and Marketing Strategy.
A Village Business Resource Guide has been created to help with business development. The guide is available on the city Web site.
A transition plan also will be submitted to the City Council for approval within the next month or so, which will outline the transition from state to locally-regulated redevelopment tools. Project financing and some legal authorities may change.
However, the focus and implementation of the Village Master Plan as the land use regulation document are not anticipated to change. The work of redevelopment will continue, simply in a slightly different form.
For more information, call the Housing and Redevelopment Office at (760) 434-2815.
The Village is a critical component of a healthy economy for the city of Carlsbad, so it would not be in the best interest of the city to ignore it. While some of the tools used to address redevelopment of the Village will be changing, the focus is not anticipated to change.
According to state law, a redevelopment project area must demonstrate that it has substantial blighting conditions in order to be eligible to establish a redevelopment plan and use the tools set forth by the State of California. In 1981, the Village area had substantial blight, which included declining property values, high crime, commercial building vacancies of more than 50 percent and numerous disreputable and undesirable businesses.
These blighting conditions made the Village eligible to use the redevelopment tools outlined by state law. Since 1981, there has been great success in eliminating these blighting conditions.
We can no longer make the blight findings necessary to continue as a redevelopment project area under state law, so the plan will expire. However, we need to celebrate our success while moving into the next phase, which is continued revitalization efforts with some different tools and authorities.
Because redevelopment is a slow process, many do not remember that we have had a lot of success since the plan was adopted. More than $26 million in public funds have been spent to complete a variety of projects and programs that have significantly changed the character of the Village and helped create its current charm and wonderful ambiance.
Many rundown establishments were replaced with a wonderful assortment of shops, businesses and restaurants. There has been more than $258 million in private investment.
Commercial building vacancy rates have decreased from more than 50 percent to less than 5 percent. Sales tax revenues have increased by more than 25 percent since 2001.
Total property values have increased from $45 million to more than $285 million. The Village consistently receives high marks in the city survey.
With a weakened economy, we know that we still have work to do. There are a number of efforts being implemented and programs being developed to help continue the revitalization of the Village.
Revisions to the development standards for the Village to encourage additional development have been approved. Efforts are being made to implement the recommendations from the Village Business Development and Marketing Strategy.
A Village Business Resource Guide has been created to help with business development. The guide is available on the city Web site.
A transition plan also will be submitted to the City Council for approval within the next month or so, which will outline the transition from state to locally-regulated redevelopment tools. Project financing and some legal authorities may change.
However, the focus and implementation of the Village Master Plan as the land use regulation document are not anticipated to change. The work of redevelopment will continue, simply in a slightly different form.
For more information, call the Housing and Redevelopment Office at (760) 434-2815.