Artesia News

State raids cost City $557,000

State raids are responsible for forcing the City to pay $557,000 out of its General Fund to maintain a Redevelopment Agency.

The $557,000 was mandated by sections of the budget most recently passed by California's Legislature.

The General Fund pays for all the city's day-to-day operations - public safety, street maintenance, Parks & Recreation, planning, code enforcement, and much more (including this newsletter).

Redevelopment money is used to develop areas that have become run down (or blighted). This investment increases property value for the surrounding area. Redevelopment success stories in Artesia are the projects on Pioneer Blvd. (fountains, trees and flora, medians, lights), Artesia Blvd. projects (medians, trees, and flora), Norwalk Blvd. projects (landscaping along sidewalk), South Street projects (medians, trees, and flora), and the Historical District.

The results of these projects are very noticeable; many new businesses have become attracted to teh city, especially on Pioneer Blvd. because that street is the downtown corridor. Prior to redevelopment, Pioneer Blvd. was just another way to get to the 91 freeway. Now it is a tourist and shopping destination that can compete witht he regional malls, and that is good for Artesia.

While payment to maintain a Redevelopment Agency was optional, Artesia still has many redevelopment projects in the works, including the final part of the Pioneer Blvd. projects, which includes the area between South and 183rd Streets.

Artesia takes pride in ints capital projects, and has no desire in leaving these projects unfinished. This reason, and the fact that well-planned redevelopment projects create an atmosphere that is beneficial both to residents and to private businesses, are the two biggest reasons why Artesia has opted in to maintain its Redevelopment projects.