By Megan Burks
Last week, the California Supreme Court upheld a law that lets the state squash redevelopment agencies—the groups that, until now, were charged with handling billions of dollars worth of projects in blighted communities.
In City Heights, the funds helped lay the groundwork for a neighborhood renaissance, raising the police substation and urban village that now stand as a nexus of development and community engagement. They also played a part in the affordable housing and improved infrastructure that cropped up nearby.
So with those dollars rerouted to the state’s coffers—to education and social services, according to lawmakers—many are wondering if momentum will slow in City Heights.
The answer, according to the Mayor’s Office, is probably not any time soon.
Last summer, the city approved an agreement that stretches about $4 billion in redevelopment funds decades into the future. The agreement earmarks $220 million for projects in City Heights through 2043.
The City Attorney’s Office has commented publicly there’s a chance the agreement won’t stick, but deferred to the Mayor’s Office.
According to the mayor’s spokeswoman Rachel Laing, all projects listed in the agreement should continue as planned. The same goes for projects already funded with regular redevelopment dollars and projects already under construction.
“We believe the cooperation agreements are enforceable obligations under the law, and we’re moving forward on the premise that projects on that list will be funded,” Laing said.
 Click for a list of funded City Heights projects |
That means residents in City Heights can expect nearly $85 million in improved lighting and sidewalks, about $70 million in affordable housing units and resources, and about $2.5 million for open spaces such as park and canyons. Nearly $12 million is slated for building code enforcement.
Under the plan, residents can also expect four new developments and historic preservation of significant buildings along El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue.
The plan also allocates funding to community branding such as gateways (neighborhood signs similar to those in the uptown neighborhoods) and decorative streetlights along El Cajon Boulevard.
Many of these allocations are merely subsidies for joint projects, pointing to another reason development in City Heights may keep pace despite the end of redevelopment agencies. Several nonprofits are heavily involved in funding services and infrastructure in City Heights, including the City Heights Community Development Corporation, The California Endowment and Price Charities.
The California Endowment is committed to the neighborhood through 2020. Price Charities just announced a partnership with the University of Southern California that will address needs exclusively in City Heights for at least five more years.
[Disclosure: Speak City Heights is funded by The California Endowment but operates as an independent news collaborative.]