Construction job program OKd
The City Council unanimously approved a policy Wednesday to boost the number of construction jobs available to residents who live near blighted redevelopment zones and others who have low incomes or have trouble finding work.
The policy is expected to provide more than 5,000 jobs over five years in areas where the city Community Redevelopment Agency lures developers with public subsidies, zoning changes and other incentives.
The construction plan will apply to projects that receive $1 million or more from the agency, as well as to those on agency-owned land or where the agency invests $500,000 or more to improve infrastructure.
At least 20% of the jobs at such sites would go to people who live within three miles. Another 10% of the work would be for residents citywide who are low-income or face barriers to employment such as being homeless or lacking high school diplomas.
Officials said people living around redevelopment zones have not benefited enough from construction jobs.
The redevelopment agency must still hammer out a final agreement with the building trades council; that accord must then be approved by the agency board and the City Council. Agency officials said they expect the matter to be finalized by the end of summer.
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-- Duke Helfand
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