LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
Remember that movie Brewster's Millions? That's the sort of spend-it-or-lose-it scenario the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency was facing, prompting them to allocate $885 million for projects around the city before their agency is dissolved by Governor Jerry Brown and his austere state budget, according to CBS2. "The projects involve infrastructure, affordable housing and cultural facilities." If the money wasn't spent, said a CRA rep, there would be no way to guarantee it would be used in L.A. if the agency was taken over by the state.