VENTURA : New Redevelopment Area Plan Advances

Plans to nearly double the redevelopment area in downtown Ventura have moved forward, with the City Council voting to approve a resolution accepting the proposed amendment and calling for another hearing next month.

No one spoke for or against the plan at a public hearing late Monday. A final decision is scheduled for June 19.

The proposal calls for the city to expand the existing redevelopment area by 135 acres, a move that would generate almost $90 million over the next 30 years, city officials said.

The current area covers about 155 acres between California 33 and Palm Street, and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks to the north of Main Street. The new area would cover about 20 square blocks from Palm Street to Ash Street, as well as a dogleg-shaped parcel between San Jon Road and Harbor Boulevard.

Under California law, cities can designate certain areas as blighted. The areas then generate revenue by diverting new property taxes to a special fund.

Redevelopment agencies often borrow against those funds to provide money for improvement projects within the area.

In the past, the Ventura Redevelopment Agency has helped build the state Court of Appeal building at Santa Clara and Figueroa streets and the Vons shopping center at Main Street and Ventura Avenue.

But it has spent most of the $20 million generated by the 1978 redevelopment area.

The agency is considering several proposals for the amended area, including a downtown parking garage and a number of housing projects.