The AIA California Council supports the redevelopment assistance provided by California’s redevelopment agencies for the critical and necessary role it plays in shaping urban development, eliminating blight, and improving the livability and economy of many of our communities.

Governor Jerry Brown has proposed eliminating redevelopment agencies (RDA) in order to use that money to avoid even more cuts to core services. The Governor has stated that eliminating the RDAs at the end of June of 2011 will give the state an extra $1.7 billion for the next fiscal year.

The Governor’s proposal would honor the financial commitments that the RDAs have made (contracts, bond debt, etc.), and would eventually send return unencumbered money to local governments to use for redevelopment if they chose. Additionally, the Governor is proposing to allow local communities to raise taxes or issue bonds for redevelopment with the approval of 55% of the voters (currently it requires 2/3 voter approval).

The AIA California Council believes redevelopment is and should remain a state priority, and that the Governor’s proposal is a permanent fix to a temporary problem.

The AIA California Council and its members are actively advocating that the Legislature protect redevelopment in California, and will work with the Legislature and Governor’s office to develop and implement reforms to RDAs to ensure that our precious public dollars are wisely used to make our communities and state a better place to live and work.

A position statement on this issue has been approved by the AIA California Council Executive Committee and can be viewed here.