Redevelopment That Works/ Safe & Clean Streets

By Starene Cruse

Redevelopment That Works/Safe & Clean Streets

In case you haven't closely followed this issue, Governor Brown's proposed budget calls for eliminating Redevelopment Agencies throughout California. The Governor deserves our support for making many tough choices in the new budget, especially his measures to ensure that we live within our means. However, when it comes to Redevelopment, we have to do everything possible to keep RDA funding.

Redevelopment was created in California three decades ago to help cities combat blight and encourage economic development. By allowing cities to keep additional tax revenues created in project zones to revitalize some of our most challenged areas. Redevelopment isn't perfect, but overall it is a great tool to combat blight.

Most use of our dollars: Create jobs, vibrant main corridors, and infrastructures. Is the "Bridge," sufficient for those needs?

Why not take a look at the East side of Rosemead across from Kmart for Redevelopment? Large lots owned by businesses.

Need to improve pedestrian flow in Temple City, where our revenue can be increased.

Idea of a bike trail is wonderful; however we need to think of the safety to the citizens and the participants. It is isolated. How do we safely cross each busy street?( Crossing Garibaldi; Hermosa; Elm/Muscatel; Las Tunas; Rosemead/Olive; Encinita; ends at Lower Azusa) Approximately 2 miles.

How will it be patrolled? How much for up keep costs? Permission to utilizing people's property? Creating accessibility to owner's properties?

Safe and Clean Streets:

Neighborhood watch. Meeting your neighbors creating bonds among area residents, which is the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear and keep our town one that knows and protects its' neighbors.

A focus on clean sidewalks.

Seek for all properties; both commercial and residential, to be well kept. For that improves our community and sustains our property values.

Working with local schools to support more use of Teen Center. Multi use the center for something to bring in revenue in the morning hours.

Strive to support and respect the many multicultural citizens that we are. Have connecting celebrations and education of each other's cultures.

Find "green" space.

Efforts to continue to increase a bridge between School and City projects for the betterment of our Community.