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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.
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