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Politics & Government

Council Transfers Key Property Related to Downtown Project

Although a bill to stall the termination of 400 California community redevelopment agencies failed to pass, the City has been preparing for the original February deadline.

A bill that would have given city officials more time before the Feb. 1 dissolution of the state’s community redevelopment agencies will not pass, officials announced last week. 

Senator Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, proposed SB659 earlier this month. If the bill had passed, it would have allowed redevelopment agencies to function until April 15.

Nonetheless, South Pas City Council has continued to take steps towards securing development of the downtown project, Interim City Manager Sergio Gonzalez told Patch Monday. 

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Having more time would certainly help since  lacks clarity in many areas," said Gonzalez. "However, recently the City Council has decided to assume the role of the  and—as recent as this morning during a special meeting—transferred a key property related to the downtown project from the City to its Housing Authority.” 

“The property transferred includes the development of 12 senior affordable units and as permitted by AB26, the City Council acting as the Housing Authority would like to have the ability to continue housing activities after the CRA seizes to exist,” he continued.

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Senate is slated to discuss another bill, SB654, Monday. Proposed by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, this bill would allow local governments to use $2 billion from leftover redevelopment funds for low-income housing.

“Continuing to have access to low-income housing funds generated through redevelopment would be extremely beneficial," said Gonzalez. "The City Council will also address other properties owned by the CRA at the upcoming regular City Council meeting scheduled for Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.”

 

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