Page 5 - sc_newhallredevelopment19972012
P. 5
In 2000, the City used 6.18 million dollars to improve the area of Newhall. Curbs, gutters and sidewalks were installed,
alleviating flooding, increasing pedestrian and vehicular access, and improving compliance with local community housing
standards. Creekview Park, a neighborhood serving pocket park was also developed. The park provides much needed
recreational opportunities for the residents of East Newhall, whose only other park is located over 1 mile away, across
two major intersections.
In 2006, the City issued a Request for Qualifications for developers to assist the City in creating affordable housing. The
City selected a partnership of The Related Companies (Related) and National Community Renaissance (CORE).
CORE/Related worked with the City for a number of years to identify a location and funding for an affordable rental
housing project. In 2010 the City acquired the former Caltrans park and ride lot on Railroad Avenue and another
adjacent parcel of raw land. CORE/Related developed a proposal, identified funding sources, and designed a 30-unit
100% affordable family development. Planning Commission approvals were obtained on 7/19/11. Due to the status of
redevelopment, this project has been placed on hold.
The City receives Community Block Grant (CDBG) funds annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development. These funds are intended to benefit low- and moderate-income families and households by providing
affordable housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities. Two CDBG-funded programs,
Handyworker and Residential Rehabilitation, provide grants to low- and moderate-income homeowners to make needed
repairs to their homes. Since 1997, low- and moderate-income residents have benefited from a wide variety of other
CDBG-funded programs, including; senior services, at-risk youth programs, disabled recreation programs, medical
services, food pantry, and home-delivered meals.
PROJECTS STILL TO BE COMPLETED
Even with all of the highlights mentioned, there is still work to be done. Without the availability of Redevelopment,
there are a number of projects that will be placed on hold, some for the foreseeable future and some indefinitely.
The Agency purchased the block of land adjacent to the Old Town Newhall Library for the purposes of spurring private
investment and creating a catalytic project to further the redevelopment efforts. The Agency was alayzing some exciting
development opportunities for this block prior to the Redevelopment dissolution. Unfortunately, without the tools
available to the Redevelopment Agency, this project can not continue.
While the design of the Roundabout is secured, the construction of it is not. The project was expected to be funded by
three funding sources, one of which was Redevelopment funding.
With Redevelopment being the main source of funding for projects that impact low- and moderate-income people in our
community, the proposed affordable housing development on Newhall Avenue is currently on hold. The City will
continue to work with the developers to locate alternative funding for the project. However, at this time, the status of
this project is uncertain.
Furthermore, it is even more challenging now than ever before, without redevelopment and its tools, to further attract
new businesses to downtown.
Redevelopment in the City of Santa Clarita exemplifies what the process of redevelopment was created to achieve in the
State of California. Public investments towards all the improvements that have been made in Old Town Newhall have
dramatically helped to eradicate blight and begin to improve this important area of our City, with the goal of increasing
commerce and vitality.