Redevelopment in California: Its Past, Present and Possible Future

Abstract

DOI 10.1515/cjpp-2012-0044 Calif. J. Politics Policy 2014; 6(4): 471–506 Stewart Black* Redevelopment in California: Its Past, Present and Possible Future Abstract: On February 1 2012, in a remarkable development, California’s 400 redevelopment agencies were dissolved. This article (1) traces the agencies’ evo- lution and the wider 67-year history of redevelopment in California; makes com- parisons with other states’ use of redevelopment and tax increment finance to support redevelopment; assesses the position immediately prior to dissolution of the agencies; examines the meaning of the actions leading to dissolution; and considers the immediate impact of dissolution (Part 1). (2) Draws some conclu- sions about the recent model for redevelopment; and provides a detailed dis- cussion of how the model might be improved in the event of a future revival of redevelopment – in particular by addressing known past problems relating to clarifying policy outcomes, inter-governmental partisanship, measuring success, improving reporting and accountability, and improving responsibilities for these activities at state and local levels (Part 2). Keywords: California; redevelopment. *Corresponding author: Stewart Black, e-mail: stewart@stewartblack.com 1 Part One: Redevelopment’s Past and Present 1.1 R edevelopment in California: A Brief Summary of its Purpose, History, and Funding Redevelopment occurs where there are improvements made to land or property in localities within municipal areas. All redevelopment activity relates to the central concept of “blight” – that is, localities which have become run-down in terms of their physical and economic health, yet can be revived. The original focus of blight was dilapidation, and its association with slums. However, over the decades, in California as well as other states, the focus has shifted to addressing the problem of property which has declined in value or alternatively whose use value is significantly short of what is possible. In turn, redevelopment is based on the twin recognition that private enter- prise alone has not in the past always accomplished, and cannot always in future