City Council to Discuss Future of Redevelopment Agency Wednesday

With the state's recent threat to eliminate redevelopment agencies, City council will be discussing a continuation ordinance in closed session Wednesday night.

"Because we have a project in the pipeline, I think it's a good idea to explore," said Assistant City Manager Sergio Gonzalez of continuing the agency. 

If passed, the City would pay $230,000 this fiscal year to help fill the state's projected $1.7 billion budget hole. 

Yet even if South Pasadena's redevelopment agency dissolves, Genton Property Group, the developer chosen for the downtown redevelopment project, should have enough funds to move forward, according to Gonzalez.

"The developer has stated publicly that they don't need any financial assistance to move forward. ... But it would be nice to have access to more funds. It would make it a lot more palpable, appealing," he explained.

The next step in the downtown revitalization project is entering a long-term agreement with Genton, according to Gonzalez. This would map out what's needed over the next six to 12 months. 

"I believe we are about two years away from ground-breaking, but it depends how smooth and quick these deals are made," said Gonzalez. "We can move forward without any future approval from City council. The project has been approved."

Odom Stamps, who has served on the Community Redevelopment Commission (CRC) since its inception in 2003, says the City securing $2 million towards the estimated $50 million project was an important step. 

"We were pretty far down the road before Governor Jerry Brown even got elected," said Stamps. 

COMMUNITY INPUT

The downtown project would transform a three block stretch of South Pasadena, from Hope Street in the north to El Centro Street in the south and between Mound Street in the west to Fair Oaks Avenue in the east. It includes the redevelopment of five buildings, as well as two key parcels at 1503 and 1507 El Centro Street that the city purchased after the termination of the agreement with the previous developer. 

The newly developed area would bring a host of pedestrian paths, gathering spaces and a town plaza to the three block area. Plans include retail, restaurant, office, and banking space, as well as a 5,100 square-foot bowling alley, up to 60 residential units and 427 parking spaces. 

Chamber of Commerce CEO Scott Feldmann has said he hopes the project "brings a heart to downtown." He thinks the successful completion of the project could also help save the Rialto. 

"Our hope is that the caliber of partner that is needed to bring back the Rialto would see what we're doing with the downtown project and want to partner with us," he told Patch in November. 

Opponents of the downtown project, however, have previously expressed concern regarding the scope of the plans. Others have questioned the city's commitment to providing a transparent process.

"I don't always feel like as citizens that we have transparency," Bianca Richards, whose sisters own  on Mission Street, told Patch after a redevelopment meeting in November. "As we go forward how can we be assured that if we want things to go a certain way, that they're going to be a certain way?"

With over 80 meetings held throughout the planning process of the downtown project, it's been a "very public process," according to Gonzalez. 

"We are really working to re-engage the entire community as a whole," he added.

CRC meetings are slated to reconvene as the commission's assistance is needed. 

Past coverage:

Redevelopment Group Seeks Input from Community

City Seeks New Partner for Redevlopment Project

Some Community Members Still Leary of Downtown Plans

Community Redevelopment Commission Picks Genton Property Group for Downtown Project