The city government is currently walking a fine line since transferring the redevelopment agency (RDA) into the general fund. According to Joe Felz, the city anticipated dissolving the RDA as a worst case scenario, but they have planned accordingly. The Richman/Valencia project, OC Habitat for Humanity, Amerige Court, and the SOCO parking structure each have developers with first rights to build. It is unclear how long these developers may hold these rights before forfeiting them, but each project has its own expiration date.
The city currently holds 60 parcels of land that consist mainly of parking lots and structures according to the city manager. The intent is to liquidate the properties belonging to RDA. Low income housing is still being negotiated at both the state and local level, but the city is hoping to keep that funding to continue low income housing projects in Fullerton.
The five employees within the RDA are expected to be transferred to other positions within the city according to Felz, but union negotiations could complicate the process regarding pay cuts and other adjustments.
Non-Capital projects like the city’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration, First Night, has been offered as a benefit to the community, but the funds to support that project came from Redevelopment. When asked, Felz stated that the city would not be opposed to private businesses sponsoring such an event, but mentioned that most contributors tend to come from non-profit groups. With $80,000 raised from RDA, and $20,000 earned, the net cost the event is $60,000.
Projects that didn’t make the cut:
Hillcrest Park – A master plan had been crafted to improve the park so that the lawn is extended to Harbor Boulevard. The bowl was also to be improved so that concerts may be held in the park. Currently the city’s ordinance regulating amplified music outdoors is exempted for public parks. The park had been used to hold concerts back in the 70’s. The project was estimated at twenty million dollars, of which five to six million dollars was coming from Redevelopment.
Street lighting the Maple Neighborhood – 1.5 million dollars funded by the Redevelopment Agency
Hillside stabilization project – Landscaping improvements were anticipated on the hill next to the YMCA off Harbor Boulevard (North of Fullerton Towers).
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