What Happens Next With Redevelopment?

The Monrovia City Council joined a chorus of municipal officials across the state in fighting against the governor's effort to kill redevelopment agencies, but after a court challenge proved unsuccessful the council will begin the process of dismantling the agency it has credited with revitalizing the city.

The council will convene for a special meeting Wednesday to figure out the next steps in turning over the Monrovia Redevelopment Agency's remaining assets to a successor agency. A resolution is on the agenda that would make the city the successor to the MRA.

"The city will be vested with the obligations of the former agency, including the payment of enforceable obligations, and disposal of assets and properties of the former agency," an agenda report prepared by Darlene Sancez, a senior project manager with the city.

In anticipation of the state's plan to seize redevelopment assets, the City Council already transferred more than last year--effectively shielding it from the state.

Monrovia had hoped that a lawsuit challenging the laws that killed redevelopment would save its agency, but the .

The court's decision has major implications for the city's $56 million deal to sell 24 acres of land to the Gold Line for use in a critical maintenance yard project. The MRA entered into that deal, but since it is now dissolved, Interim City Manager Mark Alvarado said last week that the city will pursue special legislation in Sacramento that would allow the transaction to be executed.