Long Beach : Panel Told to Produce

The Redevelopment Agency, with support from the City Council, has given a citizens advisory committee on downtown redevelopment until June 30 to become more active or be eliminated.

The agency board voted Monday to phase out the 16-member Project Area Committee--made up mostly of downtown businessmen--after staff and board members said the PAC had done little in recent years.

The council refused to overrule that decision Tuesday evening despite a plea by a committee spokesman, who argued that it has become more active recently.

The committee received $38,370 from the agency last year for staff, supplies and an office. Its request for $45,690 this year prompted a review of its performance.

State law requires that a project area committee be set up as a buffer between a redevelopment agency and residents and businesses of an affected area. A committee is required if a substantial number or low- or moderate-income people face displacement.

A project area committee is required for only three years, however. The downtown PAC was established in 1975.