DOWNEY — The City Council updated its redevelopment plan last week for the next five years after a public hearing at which no one spoke.

The only public comment on the plan was an e-mail from resident George Redfox making a plea for historic preservation.

The city’s redevelopment plan calls for the removal of blight from project areas, expanding businesses, creating jobs, providing affordable housing and upgrading streets, sidewalks, water lines, sewer and drains, said Brian Saeki, director of community development, in a written report.

Housing Manager Ed Velasco, who gave the oral report, told council redevelopment plans include infrastructure work and cultural programs in the downtown area.

That area is north of Firestone Boulevard between Brookshire Avenue and Paramount Boulevard, north to Fifth Street.

Other efforts will be aimed at helping bring in new businesses and retaining current ones. A proposed business industrial district containing merchants is planned, Velasco said.

No specific new projects were announced, but the downtown project of apartments and businesses is continued as well as several other developments already under way.

That includes financial help for Porto’s Bakery, under construction at Downey Avenue and Firestone; and Fresh and Easy Market, under construction on the former Albertson’s market site, on Firestone west of Downey Avenue.

Downey has already constructed 125 affordable dwellings in the city and plans another 45 in the coming five years, primarily in the downtown area where the commission has purchased the Avenue Theatre on Downey Avenue and the Verizon Building on Second Street, Velasco said.

Funding would come from about $4.5 million in federal and state housing grants, Saeki said in his written report.

The five-year update is mandated by state law.

Areas designated as redevelopment projects, all zoned for commercial and industrial use, are:

• Along both sides of Firestone Boulevard through the city, including the downtown area.

• Along the east side of Woodruff Avenue from Stewart and Gray Road south to a point north of Imperial Highway.

• On the east side of Paramount Boulevard, north of Gardendale Street.
Saeki said Downey, in fiscal year 2007-08, generated $3.85 million in tax increments, which is the amount of taxes earned from a property because of the higher value derived from a redevelopment project.

However, the state is expected to take a portion of the city’s tax increment funds — $1.7 million — to help balance its budget, Saeki said.
Downey is ninth among area cities in tax increments for that year, less than half of the $6.91 million listed by eighth-place Pico Rivera.

The top area city for tax increments in 2007-08 was Cerritos with $32.45 million, Saeki said.

However, Downey’s tax increment in the next five years is expected to total $22 million. Of that, about $17 million will be used to pay debts and for work on past projects.

Downey’s redevelopment program started in 1976, well after other area cities began. The delay was fueled by objections from residents who feared eminent domain would be used to take homes.

Local projects have stayed in commercial and industrial areas. A group of residents — the Project Area Committee — representing businesses, homeowners and other interested parties reviews all redevelopment projects.
Saeki noted that in 1985 the City Council outlawed the use of eminent domain, with subsequent projects resulting from willing sellers.

Recent projects included rebuilding the historic Johnie’s Broiler, 7447 Firestone Blvd. as a Bob’s Big Boy last fall and construction of the Heritage Court Senior Apartments, a 31-unit complex at 8117 Third St.

Past projects have included the 220-room Embassy Suites Hotel, 8425 Firestone Blvd. and Mimi’s Restaurant next door, completed in 1985; the Penske Toyota Dealership, 9136 Firestone Blvd., in 1992 and the 10-screen Krikorian Premier Theatre, 8200 Third St., opened in 1997.

The last project included the city-owned, four-level, 400-space parking structure at 8206 Third St., also opened in 1997.

Not included in the plan is the gigantic redevelopment of the 160-acre former NASA site, which is not in a redevelopment district.