Council Moves Ahead On $4.8 Million In Redevelopment Projects

Facing the uncertain future of redevelopment agencies in California, the Palm Desert City Council Thursday approved funding for three RDA projects.

In three separate 5-0 votes, the council approved:

• $1.3 million for the construction of Ring Road at at Cal State San Bernardino's Palm Desert Campus
• $848,149 for the renovation of fire stations No. 33 and No. 71; and
• $2.6 million in improvements on Cook Street at Country Club Drive and Hovely Lane.

Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed to disband the agencies to help balance the state’s budget.

Mayor Jean Benson said money has been set aside for the road on the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus for the past three years.

“We want to get this started before Jerry Brown finds a road he wants to use it for,” Benson said, drawing laughs from other council members.

Palm Desert was among 18 redevelopment agencies scrutinized as part of a statewide examination on whether the RDAs operate legally and effectively or should be disbanded. The audit came back clean, according to City Manager John Wohlmuth.

The council approved the projects ahead of Brown's March 10 deadline, which is when the governor hopes the legislature will vote on his major budget provisions.

Redevelopment money can be used by cities to eliminate blight. A portion is also required to be used for affordable housing.

Doris Wilson, associate dean at CSUSB, said the school has two other projects on the table that would need redevelopment funds -- an autism center and a residence hall.

The road will allow access to the campus from Frank Sinatra Drive. Currently, the only access road is on Cook Street.

University officials relied on local redevelopment dollars and private donors to construct the school, and not state money, Wilson said.

"It was the generosity of the cities and generosity of the people in this valley,'' she said.