Arcadia city officials adopt a 5-year redevelopment plan. The major goals are the expansion of the Rusnak Mercedes Benz auto dealership, development around the future Gold Line station and several affordable housing programs. The city demolished the Church of Arcadia's old building at 21 Morlan Place in September to make room for a parking lot that could be used by Rusnak.
Arcadia launches the new Arcadia Downtown Business Association, with plans to revitalize the downtown district. Matt McSweeney is the association's chairperson and owner of Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant on East Huntington Drive. City officials will spend about $90,000 on a parking study and about $18,000 in redevelopment funds to get Arcadia Downtown Business Association off the ground. The revitalization plans should work nicely with the slated opening of the Gold Line station at the northwest corner of North First Avenue and East Santa Clara Street by 2014.
Arcadia loses a redevelopment battle with Los Angeles County. The ruling stated that the Las Tunas Drive - Live Oak Avenue area in South Arcadia did not meet the criteria to be declared blighted in order to receive redevelopment funds.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency will review proposals by four developers interested in building multi-family homes on Live Oak Avenue for low-income residents.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency will vote on awarding $152,126 to Mariposa Horticultural Enterprises, Inc., to build a bus shelter and provide landscaping at the Arcadia Public Library.
Arcadia slowly steers Rusnak Mercedes Benz dealership expansion back on track. Because of a December 2011 California Supreme Court decision to eliminate redevelopment agencies, the expansion has been stalled. Arcadia is now working on a long-range property management plan for the expansion--a plan that is now required for state approval before former redevelopment agency property may be sold. The plan includes properties at 121-159 North Santa Anita Avenue.
Arcadia wants to declare a section of Live oak Avenue and Las Tunas Drive in south Arcadia a redevelopment zone to qualify for county funding. The County says area is not blighted and does not meet qualifications for funding.
The City Council has authorized a study to determine whether Live Oak Avenue meets redevelopment law requirements of being a blighted area and whether to include businesses along Live Oak in the central city redevelopment district.
City Council was briefed on Arcadia's redevelopment efforts which includes the construction of a new police station, creation of affordable housing and improvements to the city's business districts.
The City of Arcadia has acquired half of the land originally promised for Rusnak's Mercedes Benz expansion. Arcadia Self-Storage and Church in Arcadia are selling to the city but the Elks Lodge and Rod's Grill refused to sell. The city expects Rusnak to produce a minimum of $700,000 each year in sales tax for 10 years, or until the loan is repaid.
City of Arcadia lost its lawsuit against the county to establish a redevelopment area in South Arcadia. The county determined the area did not fit legal definition of a blighted area.
The City of Arcadia wants to assist in the redevelopment of South Arcadia businesses around Live Oak and Las Tunas. The city will hold a hearing July 3 for the environmental impact report on a plan that has been proposed. The area in question covers 75 acres.
The city welcomes construction of two office buildings at 225 and 255 Santa Clara Street. The buildings will be occupied by the law firm of Hart, Mieras, Morris and Peale, LLP, and Los Angeles District Church of the Nazarene.
The Community Redevelopment Agency is still considering an 11-acre project around the former Foulger Ford property, now owned by car dealer Paul Rusnak.
The four-acre Foulger Ford site and the 5.73-acre Santa Anita Inn were discussed by the Arcadia City Council as properties that are not living up to their economic potential.
Habitat for Humanity proposed building 20 homes on city-owned land in South Arcadia that was previously used by the Arcadia Police Department horseback unit. The parcel's access would be via Live Oak Avenue. Assembly Bill 637 requires Arcadia to develop low-income housing. City Council did not make a decision, leaving options open.