El Monte Redevelopment

EL MONTE

INFORMATION

El Monte
REDEVELOPMENT
El Monte Information, City Employees Continue Working Together with the Community and have the Optimism to Bring Changes to the City of El Monte, Save Local Services From State of California , Vote Yes On Local Taxpayer Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act

Envision Planning the Future 2007

Open Space Update Plan 2006

The City of El Monte’s Community Redevelopment Agency is committed to improving neighborhoods and revitalizing existing businesses, encouraging new investment, new opportunities for shopping and recreation, as well as rehabilitating and adding to the housing stock in El Monte.

In fulfillment of these goals, when appropriate the Redevelopment Division works in conjunction with other city departments and private agencies to eliminate deterioration and blight through one or all of the following activities:
Rehabilitation, or reconstruction of existing buildings
Redesign of sites and assembly of irregular parcels
Assistance to private development in forms of reduced land costs and loans
Clearance of existing structures to prepare acquired land for reuse
Financing public infrastructure improvements
Financing the rehabilitation and development of affordable housing

INTERIM DEPUTY CITY MANAGER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Minh Tha

ECONOMIC DIRECTOR
Jesus Gomez

Telephone: 626 580-2249
Location: City Hall West, 2nd Floor
11333 Valley Boulevard
El Monte, CA. 91731-3293
Email: Redevelopment Division General Mailbox

What are the benefits to citizens living within a Redevelopment Project Area?
Through redevelopment, a project area can receive focused attention and financial investment to help revitalize existing businesses and attract new development, create jobs, rehabilitate and add to the existing housing stock, as well as gain active participation from residents.

What is a Redevelopment Plan?
A redevelopment plan represents a framework within which specific projects will be undertaken. The plan provides the redevelopment agency with powers to buy and sell land within area covered in the plan, improve dilapidated facilities, and to use tax increment financing.

What is a Project Area?
A project area is the area in which the actual redevelopment will take place. The project area must first go through a lengthy planning process during which residents and business owners who may be included in the project area have a chance to express their views. After a public hearing, the redevelopment agency adopts the project area and becomes responsible for planning future improvements.

How do Redevelopment Agencies secure funds?
State law provides redevelopment agencies with the power to raise funds for redevelopment through a method called “tax increment financing.” On the date the redevelopment plan is approved the property within the boundaries of the project area is assessed a total property value. If the value of the property increases in subsequent years a portion of the new taxes derived from this increased value goes to the Redevelopment Agency. The Redevelopment Agency may also issue bonds that are later repaid with the revenue generated from tax increment monies.

Will property taxes be raised?
No. Any sale, development or rehabilitation of property generally causes a rise in property value but not an increase in tax rate.

If I am in a redevelopment project area does that mean that I will have to leave my home?
Living in a redevelopment project area does not mean you will have to move. Redevelopment is a planning process that is designed to fulfill the needs and desires of the majority of residents and business owners for the improvement of the community. Only properties that are essential for the revitalization of a blighted area will be purchased by the Redevelopment Agency.

What happens if my property is acquired by the Redevelopment Agency?
When it is necessary to acquire a property within a project area the Redevelopment Agency will pay fair market value (i.e. the value the property would have if it was placed on the market and sold). The occupants may be eligible for relocation benefits that include:
Assistance in finding a new location
- Payments to help cover moving costs
- Rental assistance payments to eligible renters

What are the community wide benefits of redevelopment?
More job opportunities (retail, services, office, and/or manufacturing jobs).
New cult

CITY OF EL MONTE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREAS

City of El Monte Considered For A High Speed Rail Station

A High Speed Rail Station in the El Monte Transit Village would be home to one of the largest Centralized Public Transportation Artery in the Los Angeles County
El Monte Transit Station Provides Transportation To Thousands Of Travelers A Day
MTA, Foothill Transit, Greyhound, MetroLink, El Monte Transportation Services

New Transit Village Terminal Coming Soon

Agency Meetings

1ST and 3rd Tuesday of every month

11333 Valley Blvd.
City Hall East
5:00 PM, Conference Room A

11333 Valley Blvd.
City Hall East
7:00 PM, City Council Chamber

Click here to view past Community Redevelopment Agendas

Click here to view PAAC Agendas

SANTE FE TRAIL PLAZA

http://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/citygov/redevelopment/pdf/SantaFeTrailPlaza.pdf

Plans for a California Department of Motor Vehicles coming to El Monte (Arden Drive)

Transit Village Project

The New Bus Terminal & Parking Structure construction has been started, the Ramona Terminal Underpass Entrance has been approved for construction, Restaurants & Housing Developments are planned for the surrounding area , and the City is working to implement a Bus Transit Route utilizing synchronized traffic signals along the Old Ramona Avenue “Red Line” providing commuters a quick alternate transportation from Pomona to El Monte Bus Terminal.

This Project will provide businesses the perfect opportunity to come to City of El Monte, and be part of this development. The Transit Village is the Largest Centralized Public Transportation Artery of Los Angeles County.

City of El Monte is one of a few cities that have been selected for consideration for a High Speed Rail Station

El Monte takes over $1 billion transit village

By Rebecca Kimitch, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/14/2009 06:11:10 AM PST

EL MONTE - Standing at the aging El Monte Bus station, looking out at the sea of worn parking spaces, it may be hard to imagine what city officials envision for the area - a village of condominiums, stores, office buildings, and a state-of-the-art bus station. The $1 billion project seems even more of a pipe dream considering the developer that was supposed to make the vision a reality was caught up in fraud allegations earlier this year. But don't tell that to interim city manager Rene Bobadilla, or the team of city staff trying to steer the project through headwinds of a turbulent economy.

"We're going to shock the world," Bobadilla said.

"We'll have families moving in within four to five years," added El Monte deputy city attorney Dave Gondek, who has worked extensively on the project since planning began in 2003.

The city is in the process of taking over the project, known as El Monte Transit Village, from the scandal-plagued private developer, Transit Village LLC, a subsidiary of Titan Development. Much of the 60-acre project sits on city land west of Santa Anita Avenue between the 10 Freeway and Valley Boulevard. At the center is the El Monte bus depot, a 35-year-old station undergoing a total renovation by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The original plan was to have Transit Village LLC lead the transformation of the surrounding property from parking lots and public works storage facilities to hundreds of homes and stores and millions of square feet of office space. That plan was derailed when two Transit Village LLC/Titan Development executives were arrested in mid-June on felony charges, including fraud, embezzlement and theft. They still have not been charged with any crimes. Rather than find a new master developer, city officials have decided to take over the project with the city's redevelopment agency.

"Under the agreement with (the company) we were more in the passenger seat. Now, we are in the driver's seat," said Minh Thai, interim director of community development. "The city feels it can better control things."

Considering the financial and other strains City Hall has been under over the past year, some resident’s doubt El Monte is up to the challenge. "I have a real problem with this. I don't think the city has the expertise. They can bring in consultants, which may or may not help... but this should go out to bid for a private developer," said Richard Garner, a former City Council candidate who sits on the Planning Commission. Garner said private developers would use their creative expertise to produce the best, most viable project ideas, and the city could select the best proposal though a competitive process.

"Skepticism is healthy. Scrutiny is invited," responded Gondek. Andre Quintero, who was elected mayor earlier this month, is open to the city taking over. "I think it's important to make sure the city has the capacity to manage that type of a project," he said. "If we make the right decisions, and put the right people in place, it could be spectacular." Gondek and Bobadilla said staff would work closely with consultants. And this time around, El Monte would look for at least three different private developers - one for housing, one for commercial, and one for office space. Already city staff has met with more than 15 interested developers, Thai said. In addition, the city would develop the project in phases, and proceed based on whether the market is demanding office, retail, or residential space, Bobadilla said.

Cynthia Kurtz, president and CEO of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership President and former city manager of Pasadena, praised this approach. "It shows a great deal of respect for the market... phases will allow things to get started more quickly," she said. Rick Cole, city manager of Ventura and former city manager of Azusa, also applauded El Monte's decision to oversee the project itself. "It's a model

EL MONTE REDEVELOPEMENT PROJECT
TRANSIT VILLAGE

Text Box: Proposal to Relocate Airport to build a Sports Complex

3550 Peck Road & Stewart St.
http://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/citygov/redevelopment/pdf/3550NPeckRd.pdf

SE Corner of Garvey & Tyler
http://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/citygov/redevelopment/pdf/Garvey-Tyler.pdf

Southwest Quadrant of Valley Blvd. & Baldwin Avenue
http://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/citygov/redevelopment/pdf/9920ValleyBlvd.pdf

3360 & 3380 Flair Drive
http://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/citygov/redevelopment/pdf/3360-3380FlairDrive.pdf

Pacific Trade Center
4000 Arden Drive
http://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/citygov/redevelopment/pdf/PacificTradeCenter.pdf

The Northwest El Monte Redevelopment Project Area is one of the largest project areas in the city. It encompasses 410 acres of industrial land and was adopted in 1993. Current projects in this area include Pacific Place on Valley Blvd., east of Arden Dr. and a proposed senior housing complex across the street.

The El Monte Center Project Area was adopted in 1983 and included 60 acres of commercial property. The Redevelopment Agency has assisted in the development of a community shopping center that includes a Denny’s Restaurant, Big K-Mart, Dearden’s Department Store, and a HomeTown Buffet. The El Monte Center Project Area is also home to Longo Toyota, the No. 1 auto dealership by sales and volume in the nation.

The El Monte Center Amendment No. 1 Project Area was created in 1989 and consists of an additional 114 acres of commercial land. In 1996, the Agency assisted in the development of a Nissan dealership. Nelson Honda, Nelson Dodge and Scott Pontiac soon followed. Together these auto dealerships, along with nearby El Monte Ford, form the El Monte Auto Center along the San Bernardino I-10 Freeway.

The Downtown El Monte Project Area was implemented in 1987 and encompasses 213 acres. Redevelopment efforts have resulted in the development of the Santa Fe Plaza, a neighborhood commercial center that includes El Pollo Loco, H & R Block, Rite Aid, Beneficial Household Bank, and El Sombrero Restaurant. The TELACU Amador Manor, a multi-unit senior housing development was also recently completed with the assistance of the Redevelopment Agency. Current projects include Vista del Valle, 35 detached homes behind Valley Mall, and a proposed retail complex on Valley Blvd. and Santa Anita Ave.

The Santa Anita/Tyler Project Area was adopted in 1984 and resulted in the development of two 2-story 64,400 square foot office buildings adjacent to the El Monte Airport.

The Ramona/Valley Project Area was adopted in 1982 and is occupied by a Bank of America branch office.

The Plaza El Monte Project Area was adopted in 1981 and contains a neighborhood shopping center that is anchored by Payless Shoe Source and King Taco Restaurant.

The El Monte Plaza Project Area was adopted in 1978 and consists of a neighborhood shopping center that is anchored by Albertson’s, and is surrounded by a number of retail shops, including as Blockbuster Video, Enterprise Rent a Car, and Baskin Robbins.

The Added Area to the Downtown El Monte Project Area contains 231 acres of commercial, residential, and industrial land and was adopted in 2001. This new project area focuses on the revitalization of the residential neighborhoods by adding new street trees, repairing sidewalks, and providing grants & loans for property improvements, as well as providing opportunities for new development.

9400 Flair Drive, El Monte, CA
Offers are due on or before 5:00 p.m. PST, Tuesday, August 25, 2009 to the attention of Darla Longo

11705 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA
For Sale or Lease. Former Chrysler Jeep Dodge Super Dealership

The East Valley Mall Project Area was the first project area in El Monte. The redevelopment agency issued a bond to assist in the development of El Monte Executive Plaza, a 6 story professional office building. This project area is also currently the site of Cal Fed Bank.

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