Downey OKs Renewal District, Bars Eminent Domain in Area
The City Council has approved the formation of a 118-acre redevelopment district in an industrial area on the eastern edge of the city, but the Downey Redevelopment Agency was not given the power of eminent domain to acquire land from reluctant property owners.
The City Council voted 4 to 0 late Wednesday to form the district, which straddles Woodruff Avenue south of Firestone Boulevard. The final reading of the ordinance is scheduled for July 20. The district will be established 30 days later.
A group of business and property owners included in the Woodruff Industrial Project--the Woodruff Everest Benedict Business and Property Owners Assn.--urged the City Council to remove the Redevelopment Agency’s option of using eminent domain to clear the way for new projects.
Approval of the so-called Woodruff Industrial Project came two days after the City Council voted to expand by 305 acres Downey’s 125-acre redevelopment district along Firestone Boulevard. In that case, the City Council also deleted eminent domain in response to strong opposition from property and business owners.
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