Some 60 Lodi residents and property owners attended a City of Lodi open house on Jan. 24 to learn more about a proposed redevelopment project and offer ideas on what it could accomplish.
The open house at the LOEL Center included presentations from Livermore and Manteca officials, who outlined how redevelopment has improved their communities. In Livermore, that means a revitalized downtown with a variety of retail and residential uses, to more recreation and shopping opportunities in Manteca.
Visitors to the Jan. 24 open house were shown three large maps of the proposed redevelopment project area and given an opportunity to mark on a map where they felt public improvements are needed. Visitors also were able to peruse newsletters from other communities about redevelopment and write down what projects they felt would benefit Lodi. Among the responses:
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More senior housing
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Affordable financing the encourage private investment/development
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Recreation centers for youth
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Sunset Theater renovation
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Incentives to bring in more mixed use development on Cherokee Lane
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Pedestrian crossing over the railroad line between Century and Salas parks
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New water and sewer pipes, street, curb and sidewalks
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More bicycle paths
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All-weather outdoor sports facilities
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Improve living conditions for east Lodi residents and business owners
Projects such as these are possible in the proposed Lodi Community Improvement Project. By adopting a redevelopment plan, the City would retain a greater share of future property tax paid within the project area and reinvest it in the community. Redevelopment does not raise taxes, but provides a tool for cities and counties to stimulate economic activity and living standards in some neighborhoods. According to a preliminary report, redevelopment could generate $131 million (in present-day dollars) for community improvements the city may not otherwise be able to afford.
The next public meeting related to redevelopment is tentatively scheduled for March 19, when the Lodi City Council will consider a draft redevelopment plan, which will include more details about the project.
The preliminary project area covers roughly 2,400 acres, extending as far north as the Mokelumne River to as far south as Century Boulevard. The area is predominantly east of Sacramento Street, extending farther west along the City's major commercial corridors. |
