The new Chairman of the Board of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce this morning joined critics dissing the state Supreme Court for endorsing new legislation last week that, at least temporarily, outlaws Redevelopment Agencies.
The Agency helped him and many others when they came to town, said Goran Eriksson.
He called for a prompt restoration of Agencies that operate — for a few more days — in 400 communities across the state. Mainly, Agencies are charged with ending blight by rehabilitatng neighborhoods.
“The right thing is for our representatives in Sacramento to start listening to the electorates in their districts, not to big money,” Mr. Eriksson said. “That way, together we can quickly resurrect the Redevelopment Agency and restore local control to our city’s destiny.
“My wife and I came to Culver City nearly 25 years ago to start our business and raise our two boys.”
Mr. Eriksson said that in the late 1980s, Culver City “was on the verge of change” generated by the Redevelopment Agency. “Over the years ,” he said, “Culver City has become the place in Los Angeles County that delivers culture, dining and most importantly, an outstanding way of life. “The Agency was the driving force in creating the environment for a prosperous and friendly Culver City. It was a catalyst for improving the economic and business climate in the city.”
Chamber President Steve Rose, a former City Councilman, said that “Culver City, its residents and business community, came out as one of the big losers in the state’s fight over control of Redevelopment Agency dollars, the loss of the agency and its outstanding work for over 40 years. What would Culver City be without its City Hall, new fire stations, parking structures and broad pedestrian paths in Downtown along with the redo of Washington Boulevard in the Helms District, West Washington Boulevard, Westfield Culver City, Miller Automotive Dealerships, Bunnin Chevrolet/Office Depot project, Globe and Tilden’s low-to-moderate income housing projects?
“Now let’s talk about the softer part of redevelopment in Culver City — the Summer Music Festival, Art Walk, the Car Show, Taste of the Nation, and a multitude of cultural programs in local parks and venues.”
Mr. Rose added that during his eight years on the Redevelopment Agency Board, “my big thrill was assisting in creating Town Plaza, opening the Kirk Douglas Theatre, assisting in re-creating a 1970s mall into Westfield Culver City while upholding our commitment to our School District by providing well over a million dollars a year in back fill taxes.”
While it is too early to know all the consequences of this decision on local businesses, government services, and the look and feel of Culver City, Mr. Eriksson said that the Culver City Chamber will voice the business community’s concerns to state Sen. Curren D. Price Jr. (D-Culver City) and Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City), both of whom voted for dissolving the Redevelopment Agency.
