Residents Get More Say in Redevelopment

A scandal over bonuses and the recession leads to change in project to redevelop Southeast San Diego, but some critics want to see more construction, not just kumbaya.

1 minute read

April 5, 2010, 12:00 PM PDT

By Cathy Duchamp


Open books and open contracts. That's what a San Diego development agency had to do, to rebuild credibility after the public learned the now-former agency director gave close to $900,000 in bonuses to herself and her staff.

Cruz Gonzalez is the new chair of the Southeastern Economic Development Corp, charged with using property tax revenue from a 7.2-square-mile area southeast of downtown to create affordable housing, improve infrastructure, build parks and coax developers to replace blight. He tells Craig Gufstason of the San Diego Union Tribune "[w]e're trying to increase visibility, responsiveness and transparency so when the economy turns around, we'll be able to invest in development."

Indeed progress has been slow, in part because of the recession. Eddie Price, a small-business owner from Valencia Park says
"[t]here's oceanview property around there that needs to be developed and it's not. And telling me that the economy is the reason why ain't going to get it, because I know developers around the country who would love to come in here if the leadership would have the proper conversation with them."

Other cities grappling with how to kickstart stalled redevelopment efforts may be able to learn some things from San Diego's experience.

Monday, April 5, 2010 in San Diego Union Tribune

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.