Good riddance to redevelopment districts, thanks to our new governor and the Legislature, who justifiably eliminated them to end an enormous drain on public resources, despite howls from municipal bureaucrats throughout the state. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that annually more than $5 billion of redevelopment money in California was not used for redevelopment at all, but was instead diverted to other uses by cities throughout the state.
Redevelopment agencies were created long ago to modernize California cities, to stem urban blight. Though some good resulted, California cities look much alike as a consequence, indistinguishable, with mile after mile of homogenous strip malls. A few municipalities, San Luis Obispo among them, managed to integrate new structures within established areas without disturbing the architectural character of the places. But many other cities have struggled to find an identity after destroying downtown centers and are left with a hodgepodge of buildings, many now vacant.
Redevelopment districts suck up tax revenue that would otherwise support local schools and other genuine needs. Funds from taxes pay back the bonds raised to purchase blighted land and refurbish old areas. In many cases, a single large out-of-town developer ends up owning an entire downtown area, and local small land owners are pushed out of the picture. Local control is lost.
Old Town Orcutt in northern Santa Barbara County perfectly illustrates why redevelopment districts are unnecessary to rehabilitate communities. The history of Old Town as a bustling trade center for cattle and oil predates the official city founding in 1902. Not long ago, local property owners and business owners formed the Old Town Orcutt Revitalization Association to reverse the decline of what had become a run-down village. The group, which includes about 150 individuals and businesses, collaborated with the county—and at times cajoled it into living up to the outline set forth in the Orcutt Community Plan for the Old Town Cultural Center. First, the zoning was changed to allow buildings to sit on the front property line as was the custom in Old West communities. Private enterprise, a capitalist spirit, a western theme, and hard work by this nonprofit group have paid off handsomely for the Old Town area.
The group has sponsored a string of projects to beautify the community, including designer trash cans and benches, western style planters, improved street parking, 26 memorial trees, a large 17- foot community clock, and helping the county get funding for a model street intersection. The group is now working on a gateway veterans’ memorial and flagpole at the entrance to the Old Town area, as well as a community parking lot. These efforts have encouraged many private individuals to invest in the Old Town Cultural Center. There are nearly 50 new and remodeled commercial facilities and 11 new restaurants, with more to come. The hustle and bustle has returned. People obviously enjoy walking among the restaurants and shops, thanks to the efforts of the association. Old Orcutt is now the place to dine on the Central Coast.
Redevelopment can be accomplished without massive layers of bureaucracy and funding, if community members take the initiative and encourage small property owners and businesses to invest in neighborhood improvement. Communities need not sell their souls to large out-of-town developers. Santa Barbara County officials appreciate the results of the work by the association so much they created a video presentation about the renovation of Old Town Orcutt to share with other cities. Good work! We need more organizations like Old Town Orcutt Revitalization Association so tax funds can be saved for schools and other worthwhile civic endeavors.
Ken McCalip is a Central Coast native who earned bachelor and doctorate degrees in history, cultural geography, and law from several California universities, and is a member of the revitalization association. Send comments via the opinion editor at econnolly@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 7-14, 2011.