It is possible under Governor Brown's budget proposal that by the time you read this article action may have been taken by the State Legislature to abolish redevelopment as a tool for economic development and revitalization of blighted areas within California.
It is unfortunate and perhaps misguided if this action is taken because redevelopment is a key part of local efforts to revitalize deteriorating commercial areas, to allow for historic preservation, to provide needed infrastructure, and to assist low-income households in obtaining affordable housing in California for more than 65 years. We may lose a tool that has been extremely effective in addressing deterioration in our favorite local neighborhoods throughout California, including the Village of Carlsbad.
As this article is written, our fingers are crossed and hope is extended that the political climate will change, the value of redevelopment will be acknowledged by our legislators, and this tool will not be abolished as proposed by the Governor. Whether or not redevelopment is abolished, however, the debate surrounding redevelopment will probably continue for decades to come — its intent, its success and what's next.
Following is a historical legislative perspective on redevelopment:
1945:
California Community Redevelopment Act allows cities and counties to establish redevelopment agencies to tackle urban blight (substantial, prevalent adverse physical and economic conditions) that hampers development and expansion within a community.
1951:
State Legislature amends the tax law, paving the way for tax increment financing? using future gains in taxes to finance current improvements.
1952:
The California Community Redevelopment Law is enacted, authorizing the distribution of tax increment to agencies with the goal of relieving taxpayers of the costs of redevelopment by making projects self-supporting.
1976:
Redevelopment agencies are required to set aside 20 percent of tax increment for affordable housing purposes, known as the “20-percent housing set-aside.”
1978:
Proposition 13 limits the tax rate for real estate by assessing property values at their 1975 values and restricts annual increases of assessed value of real property to an inflation factor, not to exceed 2 percent per year.
2011:
Governor Jerry Brown proposes to abolish redevelopment agencies by July 1, 2011.
Per California Redevelopment Law, the primary purpose of redevelopment is to eliminate blight and/or blighting influences. This could be physical blight in the form of abandoned or dilapidated buildings, or it could be economic blight in the form of declining property values and/or sales tax revenue. When blight is eliminated, an area becomes attractive for private investment. Public and private investment is then referred to as “redevelopment.” Redevelopment can also be better described as a planned effort intended to increase an area's capabilities for execution of its mission. Execution of a redevelopment plan needs to be a very collaborative effort. It should never be about “what have you done for me lately?” It should always be about “what have we done lately for each other for the greater good?”
Since 1980, The Redevelopment Agency and the City have spent a considerable amount of money in the Village completing infrastructure and beautification projects. A considerable amount of time has also been spent working with business and property owners to repurpose abandoned buildings, renovate buildings, build new buildings and encourage private investment throughout the Village. The renewal of spirit and passion for the Village has also been steadily improving. Has everything been done yet? No. Can or should we now stop executing our mission? No. Will our mission continue to change over time? Yes.
Redevelopment is ultimately best described as a tool which is implemented as a planned intervention to help enable other entities or persons to also reorient its missions. We need to continue every day to celebrate a renewal of spirit in the Village and the passion that grows daily for continuous improvement and sustainment of the past redevelopment efforts.
Will redevelopment be a tool that we can continue to use in the future? Maybe not — but if not we should all encourage our legislatures at the State to give cities other tools to help them continue what redevelopment started. It is important work, and important to the community in the long run.
It is unfortunate and perhaps misguided if this action is taken because redevelopment is a key part of local efforts to revitalize deteriorating commercial areas, to allow for historic preservation, to provide needed infrastructure, and to assist low-income households in obtaining affordable housing in California for more than 65 years. We may lose a tool that has been extremely effective in addressing deterioration in our favorite local neighborhoods throughout California, including the Village of Carlsbad.
As this article is written, our fingers are crossed and hope is extended that the political climate will change, the value of redevelopment will be acknowledged by our legislators, and this tool will not be abolished as proposed by the Governor. Whether or not redevelopment is abolished, however, the debate surrounding redevelopment will probably continue for decades to come — its intent, its success and what's next.
Following is a historical legislative perspective on redevelopment:
1945:
California Community Redevelopment Act allows cities and counties to establish redevelopment agencies to tackle urban blight (substantial, prevalent adverse physical and economic conditions) that hampers development and expansion within a community.
1951:
State Legislature amends the tax law, paving the way for tax increment financing? using future gains in taxes to finance current improvements.
1952:
The California Community Redevelopment Law is enacted, authorizing the distribution of tax increment to agencies with the goal of relieving taxpayers of the costs of redevelopment by making projects self-supporting.
1976:
Redevelopment agencies are required to set aside 20 percent of tax increment for affordable housing purposes, known as the “20-percent housing set-aside.”
1978:
Proposition 13 limits the tax rate for real estate by assessing property values at their 1975 values and restricts annual increases of assessed value of real property to an inflation factor, not to exceed 2 percent per year.
2011:
Governor Jerry Brown proposes to abolish redevelopment agencies by July 1, 2011.
Per California Redevelopment Law, the primary purpose of redevelopment is to eliminate blight and/or blighting influences. This could be physical blight in the form of abandoned or dilapidated buildings, or it could be economic blight in the form of declining property values and/or sales tax revenue. When blight is eliminated, an area becomes attractive for private investment. Public and private investment is then referred to as “redevelopment.” Redevelopment can also be better described as a planned effort intended to increase an area's capabilities for execution of its mission. Execution of a redevelopment plan needs to be a very collaborative effort. It should never be about “what have you done for me lately?” It should always be about “what have we done lately for each other for the greater good?”
Since 1980, The Redevelopment Agency and the City have spent a considerable amount of money in the Village completing infrastructure and beautification projects. A considerable amount of time has also been spent working with business and property owners to repurpose abandoned buildings, renovate buildings, build new buildings and encourage private investment throughout the Village. The renewal of spirit and passion for the Village has also been steadily improving. Has everything been done yet? No. Can or should we now stop executing our mission? No. Will our mission continue to change over time? Yes.
Redevelopment is ultimately best described as a tool which is implemented as a planned intervention to help enable other entities or persons to also reorient its missions. We need to continue every day to celebrate a renewal of spirit in the Village and the passion that grows daily for continuous improvement and sustainment of the past redevelopment efforts.
Will redevelopment be a tool that we can continue to use in the future? Maybe not — but if not we should all encourage our legislatures at the State to give cities other tools to help them continue what redevelopment started. It is important work, and important to the community in the long run.