Friday, May 20, 2011
Community Redevelopment Agencies are under fire again. Some officials, led by Governor Jerry Brown, characterize them as money pits that do next to nothing to tackle urban blight while starving local schools and local agencies from much needed funds. Local officials, including Mayor Villaraigosa, counter by pointing to numerous success stories where the agencies made the difference in the viability of a project. Since the 1940’s, the sole purpose of redevelopment agencies was to eradicate blight that hampered development and investment in urban communities. Cities throughout the state enacted these quasi- governmental agencies to serve as catalyst for community propensity and growth. Most recently, agencies have focused more and more on creating affordable housing and jobs.
Are redevelopment agencies stifled by yesteryear policies and practices that no longer work in today’s complex, multi-layered, multi-partnership, multi-financed development structure? Or can they continue to produce success stories like Hollywood, Santa Monica’s 3rd Street or Downtown LA?
Join the Westside Urban Forum as we ask the question: Are redevelopment agencies a well of opportunity or a money pit?
Panelists
Honorable John Chiang, California State Controller
Honorable Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor
Michael Dieden, Creative Housing Associates
Bill Witte, Related
Moderator
Mitch Menzer, Paul Hastings
