VENTURA : Council May Add to Redevelopment Area

After months of planning and public discussion, the Ventura City Council tonight is expected to approve a sweeping plan that would nearly double the city’s largest redevelopment zone.

The existing downtown redevelopment area covers about 155 acres from the Ojai Freeway to Palm Street and from the Southern Pacific railroad tracks north to Main Street.

The amendment under final consideration tonight would add about 135 acres, extending the district from Palm Street east to Ash Street, and including a dogleg-shaped area between San Jon Road and Harbor Boulevard.

City officials have planned the expansion to generate extra property tax revenue for future improvement projects within the downtown area.

The agency has spent most of the $25 million or so generated from the original district, established in 1978. But city redevelopment specialist Patrick Richardson said the expanded area would raise another $90 million or more over the next three decades. Under state law, cities can designate certain areas as blighted. The areas generate revenue by diverting new property taxes to a special fund, which is often borrowed against to finance new development.

The Ventura Redevelopment Agency, composed of the seven council members, has helped fund several projects in the past, including the new state Court of Appeal building and the Vons shopping center at Main Street and Ventura Avenue.

A public hearing is scheduled tonight before the City Council considers the recommendation.