Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 22 May 2012 05:09 PM
Riverside officials say they expect to recover only a portion of the $49.44 million that the former redevelopment agency spent to buy 80 pieces of land that are now up for sale.
Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 10:30 a.m
Ramos struggles through final candidate forum.
Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman and San Bernardino County Board of Supe’s candidate James Ramos showed up for the final candidate forum held at Copper Mountain College on Friday night.
Nothing changed.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/02/2012 04:00:20 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The city has been forced to let go nearly 20 employees due to the elimination of millions of dollars in redevelopment funding.
Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/25/2012 11:43:21 AM PDT
Take a drive along local freeways on any given day of the work week, and you might see signs of life – economic life.
Developments are popping up – housing and commercial.
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 20 April 2012 05:50 PM
The state Department of Finance has rejected payment of nearly $159 million in projects and debts from Riverside’s former redevelopment agency, potentially leaving the city’s general fund on the hook for at least some of that amount.
Money & Politics | Daily Report
April 19, 2012 | Kendall Taggart
In the flurry surrounding the end of redevelopment, 60 state Department of Finance officials are scouring local redevelopment budgets to determine whether their claims about existing debts and obligations are legal.
Cities and other local entities that are overseeing the shutdown of redevelopment agencies were required to submit a list of their ongoing financial commitments by April 15. Now, the department has a three-day window to raise objections. Of the budgets it has reviewed so far, the department has challenged almost two dozen, including budgets from the cities of Riverside, Orange and San Leandro.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/17/2012 10:50:07 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The special oversight committee in charge of unwinding the Inland Valley Development Agency’s redevelopment powers has yet to finish compiling a list of financial obligations that could determine whether planned improvements around San Bernardino International Airport are accomplished or not.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 04/16/2012 05:00:42 PM PDT
MONTCLAIR – A new residential development in the city has received a boost from a well-known figure.
Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund, in which former Los Angeles Laker Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a partner, has made a $25.7 million investment in a joint venture with an affiliate of GLJ Partners for the acquisition and development of The Paseos, a transit-oriented apartment development in north Montclair.
Oversight boards charged with navigating complex process
April 14, 2012 2:11 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
Two and a half months ago, they lost their battle against the state to keep redevelopment agencies alive.
Now, in a complicated, untested process that’s likely to take years, local government officials are members of a select group serving on new boards charged with overseeing the agencies’ demise.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/13/2012 05:40:59 PM PDT
The Victor Valley Economic Development Authority (VVEDA) has sued the state, alleging a new state law that dissolved California’s roughly 400 redevelopment agencies does not apply to VVEDA because it is not a redevelopment agency.
VVEDA filed the lawsuit in the state Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging the applicability of Assembly Bill x126, known as the “Dissolution Bill,” which shuttered redevelopment agencies up and down California.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/03/2012 10:38:18 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The Inland Valley Development Agency’s leaders don’t know yet how much – if at all – their organization will be affected by the end of redevelopment in California, but they could lose roughly $20 million per year in certain property tax revenue if events do not go their way.
That money could be devoted to improvements at San Bernardino International Airport and its surrounding infrastructure, and at this point, it’s uncertain whether the IVDA will be able to continue to collect those dollars or if the money will go to state government.
By Kate Linthicum and Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
April 2, 2012, 9:31 p.m.
Billionaire developer Philip Anschutz is committed to the idea of an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles and is willing to buy a team himself in order to make the deal work, his top executive said Monday.
BY JIM MILLER
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 30 March 2012 05:57 PM
SACRAMENTO — Local officials who once oversaw billions in redevelopment spending with little interference from the state now are having to make the case for every penny.
In hundreds of draft plans approved in recent weeks, local governments list proposed payments to begin settling redevelopment debts and contractual obligations for agencies that shut down Feb. 1. Final plans for the first six months of 2012 must be acted on by April 15, and plans for the second half of 2012 are due less than four weeks later.
By Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/28/2012 07:50:12 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The agency formed to revive the former Norton Air Force Base plans to file a lawsuit next week to keep from falling under the clutches of the state law that has dissolved more than 400 municipal redevelopment agencies across California.
The Inland Valley Development Agency will ask a state court judge next week for an injunction to shield it from the effects of ABx1 26, the law which abolished redevelopment agencies and requires them create oversight boards to proceed with the liquidation of assets, Tim Sabo, attorney for the agency’s board, said Wednesday.
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 26 March 2012 06:26 PM
Riverside officials hope to sell about 80 parcels owned by the now-dissolved redevelopment agency.
Most of the plots are vacant and less than an acre, though the list includes two Victorian homes, a historic downtown building and clusters of parcels near Riverside Plaza, on University Avenue, and in the Five Points area on the city’s west end.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/29/2012 08:26:51 PM PST
County leaders touted a bright future in spite of ongoing economic challenges in front of a crowd of more than than 1,000 local officials and business leaders at San Bernardino County’s State of the County event Wednesday night.
The event took place at the Million Air Terminal near San Bernardino International Airport. Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Josie Gonzales made opening remarks and presented a short video highlighting county success stories.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Created: 02/18/2012 08:38:12 PM PST
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a series of stories in which we examine how the elimination of redevelopment agencies has affected San Bernardino County.
For months, local government leaders and many economists have decried the demise of more than 400 city redevelopment agencies across the state.
Cities may be required to ‘dump’ properties in future ‘fire sale’
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/14/2012 01:15:59 PM PST
ONTARIO — The mayors of the five largest cities in the Inland Empire warned Tuesday of a “fire sale” as cities are forced to sell properties held by their respective redevelopment agencies.
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 02/12/2012 06:03:32 AM PST
With the end of redevelopment agencies throughout the state, legislators are trying to retain remaining funds for affordable housing and to tie up some loose ends.
Monica Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Created: 02/12/2012 10:19:35 AM PST
All across the state, governments are dismantling redevelopment agencies but along the way they are encountering numerous questions about how they should complete the task.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/05/2012 07:38:16 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – The City Council today will vote on recommendations to lay off 77 employees of its now defunct economic/redevelopment agencies – 33 civil service employees and 44 contract employees, City Attorney James F. Penman said Friday.
By Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 02/02/2012 06:07:28 PM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – There has been a change in leadership for the affordable housing group National Community Renaissance, or National CORE.
The nonprofit has hired Steve PonTell, founder of the think tank La Jolla Institute, as interim president and chief executive officer, replacing Orlando Cabrera.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/28/2012 10:54:18 PM PST
A controversial state Supreme Court ruling is forcing 400 redevelopment agencies throughout California to close, but officials overseeing redevelopment at the former Norton Air Force Base say work there will continue.
Assemblywoman Norma J. Torres
Created: 01/28/2012 06:06:11 AM PST
The state Supreme Court’s ruling which eliminated redevelopment agencies has created uncertainty for cities and counties engaged in redevelopment activities. Redevelopment has been used as a tool by many cities and counties to successfully revitalize communities. The court’s decision throws into question how cities and counties will pay for infrastructure, housing and retail projects in blighted communities.
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 01/26/2012 11:32:13 AM PST
CHINO – This city, like many others across the Golden State, will bid farewell to its redevelopment agency come Wednesday.
As a result of a state Supreme Court ruling last month, which upheld a law eliminating about 400 redevelopment agencies in California, Chino City Council members agreed to name the city as the successor to its agency.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.co
Published: 26 January 2012 09:04 PM
SACRAMENTO — Legislation to extend the life of redevelopment agencies beyond Feb. 1 seemed all but dead Thursday despite a last-ditch push by local officials and other groups.
The California Supreme Court last month upheld a state law ending redevelopment, which for decades has helped local governments pay to revitalize downtowns and build new streets and also been criticized as a taxpayer subsidy for politically connected developers. Inland Southern California has some of the most active agencies in the state.
By Jim Steinberg Staff Writer
Posted: 01/24/2012 08:43:11 PM PST
The Fontana and Rialto city councils scrambled on Tuesday night to approve measures paving the way for a Feb. 1 deadline for the dissolution of their redevelopment agencies.
Meanwhile, because of the complexity of what needs to be accomplished in a short time frame, two bond-rating agencies have taken negative actions toward billions of dollars in California bonds secured by redevelopment tax increment revenue.
January 23rd, 2012, 9:20 pm
Posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
As the lights are fading to black for California’s 425 redevelopment agencies, their successors will inherit $29.8 billion in unpaid long-term debt, according to the latest figures from the state controller’s office.
And that doesn’t include the wild-eyed issuance of at least $700 million in new debt last year, when the agencies had a hunch they’d soon be dismantled.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 19 January 2012 06:19 PM
SACRAMENTO — Redevelopment agencies focused on bringing new businesses and other projects to decommissioned military bases could keep operating if legislation taking shape in the Capitol becomes law.
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/18/2012 04:38:10 PM PST
REDLANDS – Historic preservationists cautiously celebrated after receiving word that cinema owner George Krikorian is in default of an agreement with the city that could lead to his purchase of a historic downtown packing house.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Some of the California legislators who voted last year to abolish redevelopment agencies and shift their money into schools and other local governments appear to be having executioner’s remorse – creating uncertainty about redevelopment’s future, if any.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 16 January 2012 09:08 PM
San Bernardino County will assume control of its redevelopment projects while beginning to shut down the agency that has overseen the community-improvement efforts.
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 15 January 2012 08:09 PM
Most Inland local governments have determined who will take over the obligations of their redevelopment agencies, but officials said many aspects of what happens next remain unclear.
How and when must they sell property and other assets? Which obligations will be paid? How many redevelopment employees will lose their jobs?
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/15/2012 06:04:05 AM PST
San Bernardino, Highland, Grand Terrace and Loma Linda have began shuttering their redevelopment agencies, prompted by a state Supreme Court decision that is forcing 400 redevelopment agencies statewide to close.
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 01/15/2012 06:03:48 AM PST
MONTCLAIR – The City Council took its first step in dissolving its redevelopment agency, but officials are worried that the move may cause the city to default on a short-term bond it took out several years ago.
In a special meeting on Thursday, the City Council agreed to oversee the winding down of the Montclair Redevelopment Agency, as well as to transfer the agency’s housing assets and functions to the Montclair Housing Authority.
By Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 01/13/2012 03:41:57 PM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Clearly frustrated about the loss of its redevelopment agency, the City Council is contemplating the new year without much of the funding slated for capital improvement and economic development.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 08 January 2012 08:35 PM
SACRAMENTO — California redevelopment agencies have started the dissolution process after their disastrous legal defeat last month, even as supporters mount a last-ditch effort to maintain the community-improvement program in some form.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Created: 01/08/2012 06:03:56 AM PST
At most it will be $100,000.
Or not even enough to cover one-half of one furlough day.
That’s the assessment from the Upland Unified School District of what last week’s state Supreme Court decision on redevelopment agencies might mean – in a best-case scenario.
January 08, 2012 3:14 PM
Brooke Edwards Staggs, City Editor
VICTORVILLE • Even before the state axed redevelopment agencies to bolster its budget, the viability of Victorville’s RDA was in question, according to an annual audit released this week.
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 07 January 2012 06:52 PM
Riverside may have to scrap plans for a downtown bus and train transit hub, a new shopping plaza in the Five Points area of La Sierra, relocation of two historic Victorian homes and a variety of other projects, now that state legislation and a court ruling have dismantled redevelopment.
Worse yet, say city officials, they may be forced to sell many of the properties owned by the city’s now-defunct redevelopment agency, including some on the Main Street mall, University Avenue, at Five Points, and in several areas downtown where new and better housing was planned.
By John Howard | 01/05/12 12:00 AM PST
Hundreds of redevelopment agencies across California are poised to dismantle their operations in less than a month, but new legislation backed by the agencies was poised to be introduced as early as next week that would provide several months of breathing space to cut a new deal.
Dan Walters
Published: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
California adopted redevelopment as a tool for improving its urban ambience just after World War II, and for more than 30 years, it was nothing more than an ancillary local government activity.
But when voters in 1978 adopted Proposition 13, the landmark limit on property taxes, redevelopment boomed because it let cities retain property taxes from their redevelopment projects, rather than share the revenues with counties, schools and special districts.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 30 December 2011 07:21 PM
Leaders with three Inland groups overhauling former military bases say legislation that would dissolve the state’s redevelopment agencies doesn’t apply to them.
The legislation was upheld by the state’s Supreme Court on Thursday.
Marisa Lagos, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, December 30, 2011
The California Supreme Court dealt a deathblow to the state’s 60-year-old redevelopment program, ruling Thursday that lawmakers had the authority to eliminate the economic development program and striking down a law that would have allowed the agencies to exist in smaller form.
The ruling was the worst-case scenario for cities, which argued they needed the program to spur economic development in blighted areas and create jobs – but it was a win for Gov. Jerry Brown.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 29, 2011
In a significant budget win for Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday the state can eliminate the local agencies that subsidize construction in blighted areas.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 28, 2011
The California Supreme Court will rule Thursday on a case with huge implications for the state budget and the future of some 400 local redevelopment agencies.
By Jim Steinberg Staff Writer
Posted: 12/27/2011 08:31:41 PM PST
Rialto City Council Tuesday night unanimously voted to approve sweeping increases in development impact fees, many for the first time in more than a decade.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/23/2011 06:38:05 PM PST
RIALTO – The city of Rialto will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposal to raise development impact fees for general civic facilities, such as police, fire, park, storm drain and water and sewer facilities.
Increases could be approved at the conclusion of the public hearing.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 20 December 2011 08:46 PM
San Bernardino County has hired a consultant to prepare a study on whether it should impose fees on developers to pay for streets, parks and other improvements.
Monday, December 19, 2011 – 10:15 a.m.
Nice try. But it’s too late!
Too late, for those involved, to runaway from the mess at the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) and Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA) that is.
Friday, December 16, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, December 17, 2011 – 10:39 a.m.
A $10 million Federal Highway Administration grant to the city of Highland is no more.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 13 December 2011 07:41 PM
The longtime landlord of one of San Bernardino International Airport’s largest hangars has filed for bankruptcy.
The public agency overseeing the airport is owed more than $400,000 in unpaid rent and has filed a suit to formally evict Norton Property Management Services LLC.
By Dan Walters
Published: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
State budgets used to be fairly simple documents, fundamentally allocating whatever financial resources the state might have at the moment among its various, well-delineated responsibilities.
No more.
Sunday, November 20, 2011 – 05:15 a.m.
It’s 1976 and San Bernardino is designated an All-America City.
Fast forward thirty-five years to 2011 and the city is now ranked #2 on the list of the poorest cities in America.
By Loretta Kalb and Phillip Reese
lkalb@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 – 12:14 am
Targeted for extinction and running out of time, California’s redevelopment agencies earlier this year embarked on a wave of costly borrowing unequaled in their history.
When the dust settled, the agencies with a mission of helping economically galvanize California’s urban areas had incurred a record $1.2 billion in new bonded indebtedness secured by property tax growth, according to a Bee analysis of records from the California State Treasurer’s Office.
The money didn’t come cheap.
By Maura Dolan and Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times
November 11, 2011
Reporting from San Francisco and Los Angeles — The California Supreme Court appears inclined to permit the state to abolish municipal redevelopment agencies, but the justices did not clearly signal whether some of the entities could continue to operate as long as they shared tax revenues with schools and special districts.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 – 09:30 a.m.
In February 2011, the City of San Bernardino celebrated it’s foreclosure and taxpayer ownership of the mostly-empty Carousel Mall.
Now, just nine months later, sources report the city’s Economic Development Agency (EDA) is struggling to manage $16.5 million it borrowed on a “line of credit” through Citizens Business Bank.
Money borrowed to acquire the mall note from Center Bank and foreclose on the mall owner.
Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 11/02/2011 11:52:32 AM PDT
Third District Supervisor Neil Derry is calling for controversial airport developer Scot Spencer to be removed from operations at San Bernardino International Airport.
Sunday, October 30, 2011 – 12:01 p.m.
Did Stater Bros. Markets land a sweetheart deal at San Bernardino International Airport?
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 10/28/2011 05:13:30 PM PDT
CLAREMONT – The issue facing redevelopment agencies across the state may boil down to one question – where should property taxes be allocated?
Spencer
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 26 October 2011 07:00 PM
San Bernardino County tax collectors have seized $31,618 from the developer of San Bernardino International Airport and his related businesses, a fraction of the $544,876 he owes in property taxes, according to the county agency.
Two candidates interview for post
Josh Dulaney,Staff Writer
Posted: 10/26/2011 09:57:38 PM PDT
Members of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority Board spent nearly two hours Wednesday in a closed-session meeting, where they interviewed two candidates for the interim executive director post.
Saturday, October 22, 2011 – 05:00 p.m.
Last modified: Saturday, October 22, 2011 – 10:40 p.m.
It’s too late!
The clock struck midnight at San Bernardino International Airport (SBIA) last month when federal agents walked through the doors with search warrants.
Now San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, who is also vice-chair of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority, is trying her best to re-write history and un-ring the bell as to her role in the lackadaisical oversight that went on.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 21 October 2011 04:56 PM
Scot Spencer, whose companies have developed, managed and leased space at San Bernardino International Airport and owed about $673,820 in rent as of early October, was evicted from at least one space he rents there on Thursday.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 10/18/2011 08:24:32 AM PDT
UPLAND – Density and potential traffic from a proposed development in north Upland had residents and planning commissioners concerned during a workshop Monday at the Carnegie Building.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 18 October 2011 08:11 PM
SACRAMENTO — Riverside and San Bernardino counties have gotten behind a lawsuit seeking to overturn state legislation that would eliminate local redevelopment agencies as a way to save the state $1.7 billion.
By Christopher Palmeri – Oct 16, 2011 9:01 PM PT
California voters approved Proposition 13 to rein in property taxes that had doubled in 10 years. More than three decades later, that rebellion has mortgaged the state’s future, saddling it with the nation’s highest debt and lowest credit rating.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 10/14/2011 05:22:32 PM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a workshop on Monday to discuss a proposed housing development near the Colonies Crossroads shopping center.
Hansberger
Friday, October 14, 2011 – 09:15 a.m.
Where’s former San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger these days.
A big question on the minds of many people.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/13/2011 11:56:05 AM PDT
Airport panelists on Wednesday talked about how to communicate with San Bernardino International Airport staff, but before setting policy, they decided it would be best to talk about it again later.
Neil Derry
By Supervisor Neil Derry
Posted: 10/12/2011 06:21:59 PM PDT
For years, I and many others have watched in utter shock and amazement at the unfolding debacle known as the San Bernardino International Airport, which should be called the “airport to nowhere.”
It has always defied a logical explanation.
Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 10/13/2011 01:10:35 AM PDT
Despite concerns of one commissioner, the agencies overseeing redevelopment at San Bernardino International Airport moved forward Wednesday with a plan to find a new interim executive director, during a meeting in Loma Linda.
Cassie MacDuff
Cassie MacDuff
cmacduff@pe.com
Published: 07 October 2011 10:29 PM
The embattled San Bernardino International Airport Authority took some giant steps in the right direction last week, ordering a review of contracts with a controversial developer and promising to become more transparent.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 06 October 2011 04:52 PM
The public agency overseeing San Bernardino International Airport will review all of its agreements with the airport’s developer Scot Spencer at its Oct. 12 meeting during closed session and discuss whether to terminate parts of those agreements, said Tim Sabo, legal counsel for the San Bernardino International Airport Authority and the related Inland Valley Development Agency.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/05/2011 05:54:49 PM PDT
A committee of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) board will meet Thursday afternoon to discuss the selection process for a new interim director at the airport.
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