BELL GARDENS : Redevelopment Plan Wins Approval
The city has approved a plan that will guide the development of not only affordable housing but an industrial complex and shopping centers as well.
According to the Five-Year Implementation Plan adopted recently by the city Redevelopment Agency, Bell Gardens will have at least 219 units of low- and moderate-income housing, as mandated by state law based on the city’s population and income estimates.
The state-mandated plan also provides for park improvements, a retail/office area and a theater. It does not specify how the commercial development would be financed.
But the housing would be financed by directing a portion of residential and commercial property taxes into a downtown redevelopment area in an effort to eliminate blight and encourage other development.
The Redevelopment Agency, which approved the plan Dec. 19, had until Dec. 31 to adopt the plan or it would have been blocked by the state from engaging in any other redevelopment activities.
“I think this plan will get more affordable housing out there for the people that need it,” said Councilman Rudy Garcia.
According to the plan, however, the city will still fall short of meeting the 277 low- and moderate-income housing units required by state law.
But, said city development analyst Gilbert Livas, “basically, we’re complying with the law by passing this plan. The purpose of the bill is to make more affordable housing stock available. I think we’ve found a way to do this.”
Livas cited the construction of the 126-unit Nehemiah West Housing Development and the ongoing 74-unit Westminster Court Senior Housing Development. Future developments will require the city to provide an additional 58 units.
In the Central City Redevelopment Area, which is considered the downtown area of Bell Gardens, 213 housing units were destroyed to make way for the Bicycle Club Casino and Marketplace developments in the early 1980s.
In this area, Bell Gardens from 1995 to 1999 plans to seek outside financing for several commercial developments, including an industrial complex and shopping center.
State law requires a variety of housing projects. Redevelopment agencies must produce a mix of housing for very low income residents (those who have 50% or less of the median income in a municipal area, in this case $23,819); low income (80% of median income), and moderate income (120% of median income). This can be done by providing grants or loans for rental projects or housing developments that dedicate certain units for low- and moderate-income renters and buyers.
The city plans to aggressively pursue potential commercial and residential developers for future developments. The potential costs of future developments are estimated to be $23.5 million.
