FAQs
Redevelopment
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What is Redevelopment?
What is Redevelopment?
Redevelopment is a process created by the State of California to assist local governments in eliminating "blight" and revitalizing designated "project areas." Redevelopment provides communities with the ability to obtain funding to make infrastructure improvements, acquire property, and otherwise bring about desired development, reconstruction, and rehabilitation. A portion of redevelopment funds must also be used to promote affordable housing opportunities in the community.
Does Claremont have blight?
Does Claremont have blight?
Yes. Claremont, along with nearly every community in California, has areas that meet the legal criteria for being blighted. Blight is a term used to describe a variety of physical and economic conditions, some of which may not fit the public's general perception of blight.
Examples of physical blight include buildings that are deteriorating, aging, or poorly maintained. Or, it could be buildings that are in good condition but need improvements to their design and configuration to meet current business needs. Inadequate streets, sewers, and other infrastructure are another example of blight.
Economic blight can be characterized by vacant buildings or land, high tenant turnover rates, residential overcrowding, or the inability to attract or retain businesses in a particular area.
What are the benefits of redevelopment for Claremont?
What are the benefits of redevelopment for Claremont?
Redevelopment is an effective way to help improve the overall quality of life in Claremont. It allows us to address issues of physical deterioration, revitalize the business climate, and rehabilitate and add to the housing stock. It encourages new investment by private developers that might otherwise never occur, thus providing the community with a stronger economic base. The resulting increase in sales tax and other local revenues can then used by the City to help provide a higher level of municipal services, including public safety, recreation, human services, and maintenance.
The Claremont Redevelopment Agency sees its role as "investing" in the community. It does this through financial assistance to businesses and by paying for various public improvements. Over the years, the money invested by the Agency for operational costs, business assistance, and infrastructure projects has generated additional local revenues greater than the amount spent.
Who is the Redevelopment Agency?
Who is the Redevelopment Agency?
Claremont's Redevelopment Agency is a public agency that is separate from the City of Claremont. In Claremont, as it is in most cities, the Agency's board of directors is made up of the City Council. As with any public agency, the Redevelopment Agency holds noticed public meetings to discuss and determine policy and approve any actions it takes.
The Economic Development Division of the City's Community Development Department implements the Redevelopment Agency's work program. City staff provides support to the Agency in financial and records management, planning, engineering, and construction management.
How does the redevelopment process work?
How does the redevelopment process work?
First, the City Council or other governing body designates an area to be surveyed for blight. Then the Planning Commission identifies one or more "project areas" where blighted conditions exist. A redevelopment plan is then written for each project area that describes the boundaries of the area, outlines the overall goals, and establishes a time frame. Redevelopment plans are locally created and adopted so they can respond to the unique needs and vision of each community. Public hearings must be held prior to the adoption of a redevelopment plan.
At least every five years, a redevelopment agency must adopt or update its Redevelopment Plan(s) to include information about projects the agency plans to undertake within a 5-year period. This plan is called the 5-year Implementation Plan. Copies of Claremont's Redevelopment Plan and 5-Year Implementation Plan adopted in 1999 are available for review at City Hall. Call the Agency at (909) 399-5341 to arrange a time to come view these documents.
In addition, the Redevelopment Agency Board conducts a mid-term review of the Implementation Plan. Click below to see a PDF version of the mid-term review conducted for the current 5-Year Implementation Plan.
- View the mid-term review (Adobe Acrobat, 12KB)
Where does the redevelopment agency get money?
Where does the redevelopment agency get money?
Claremont's Redevelopment Agency projects are funded in a number of ways, including loans, grants, the issuance of tax allocation bonds, and tax increment financing. Tax increment financing is a funding method specifically established for redevelopment agencies by state law. It works like this. On the date that a City Council approves a Redevelopment Plan, the amount of property tax being generated by the property within the boundaries of the plan is noted. As the total assessed valuation of the properties within the project area increases, usually as a result of development activity, so does the amount of property tax generated by those properties. The difference in the two levels of property tax is known as the tax increment. Most of this tax increment goes to the Redevelopment Agency. The Agency has no power to set tax rates or impose new property taxes.
Usually, the amount of tax increment revenues going to the Agency will not be enough to finance all the redevelopment activities and development projects specified in the redevelopment plan. Therefore, agencies can raise additional money by issuing tax allocation bonds. These bonds are not a debt of the city or county but are repaid solely from tax increment revenue.
Tax increment funds must used for activities occurring in the same project area that generates the funds, except for residential projects which benefit low- and moderate-income residents of any area within the city. By law, 20% of the Agency's revenues must be set aside and used to improve the quality and/or quantity of affordable housing.
What has the Claremont Redevelopment Agency accomplished?
What has the Claremont Redevelopment Agency accomplished?
The Agency has completed a number of successful projects since its inception in the mid-1980s. These include assistance in developing the light industrial area between Arrow Highway and the railroad, renovation of the Baker's Square and Peppertree Square shopping centers, and the Auto Center.
Prior to the initiation of the Village Expansion, the Agency spent over $3 million to enhance the Village. This includes street paving, new street lights, adding new public parking spaces, and improved landscaping. The Agency also supported development of the retail complex on the northwest corner Bonita and Yale Avenues. Public improvements completed as part of the project included widening the sidewalk on Bonita and adding on-street parking spaces. The current Village Expansion project is currently a major focus of the Agency.
The Agency has also used "housing set-aside" money to buy and clear the land for the senior apartment complex on the corner of Santa Fe Street and Indian Hill Boulevard. A rent subsidy program for the complex is funded using set aside money.
Another affordable housing projected that was assisted by the Redevelopment Agency is the Vista Valle Townhomes. This project is designed to increase the amount of affordable multi-family housing in Claremont as well as help preserve the neighborhood by improving the safety, security and appearance of the buildings.
A listing of Agency programs and activities and their status is provided in the mid-term review of the Agency's 5-Year Implementation Plan, which can be viewed by clicking below.
- Learn more about the Village Expansion
- View the mid-term review (Adobe Acrobat, 12KB)
