This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
LA City Council votes to allow redevelopment agency to be shut down
Los Angeles City Council members at a meeting in 2010.
(
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
)
A California state law passed last year requires the elimination of community redevelopment agencies by Feb. 1, and the tax dollars that fund those agencies will revert to the cash-strapped state. Like a lot of cities, Los Angeles had the option of taking over the shutdown of its local agency, but on Wednesday, the City Council voted not to.
No council member really wanted to cut ties with the CRA, but the alternative was just too costly: more than $100 million in expenses, city officials warned, and potential legal face-offs with developers and unions alike.
David Bloom, a spokesman for the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles, was stoic.
"The City Council, despite its great affection for the agency and the work that it’s done over many years in their districts, the substantial uncertainties — financial, legal and other — led them to vote to not take on the task," Bloom said.
The shutdown of the agency puts dozens of redevelopment projects in jeopardy, including the mayor's clean-tech business incubator east of downtown, the renovation of the Westlake and Watts-Star theaters and hundreds of units of affordable housing.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
