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<br />6.3B <br />PaQe 9 <br />Attachment 2 <br /> <br />There was also continued involvement in the regional Grand Boulevard Initiative <br />(GBI); continued support for business expansion, retention and attraction; code <br />enforcement; and, improved connectivity between the downtown and adjacent <br />neighborhoods and transit. A focus on vacancy reductions also led to <br />implementation of a zoning amendment. <br /> <br />RDA Housing Work Program <br />The work program for housing set-aside funds included continued discussions <br />with developers for market-rate, multi-family projects with 150/0 affordability <br />covenants; negotiating the inclusion of 15% affordable units in projects outside <br />the redevelopment project area; resolving the environmental issues on the <br />Bradford site; completing entitlements for the Cedar S1. project that includes 14 <br />units of extremely low-income housing units; completing construction and <br />occupancy of the eight Habitat for Humanity townhomes on Lincoln Ave; and the <br />development of policies to insure compliance with the Agency's production <br />requirements under State law. <br /> <br />The accomplishments for FY 2009/10 are examined below. <br /> <br />FY 2009/10 RDA General Fund Accomplishments <br /> <br />1. Downtown Events and Promotion. <br />Since the 2007 season, the average number of visitors to an event has <br />doubled. Additionally, Redwood City has been highlighted in numerous <br />publications, such as, Sunset Magazine, the New York times, and Via <br />Magazine, as a result of the programming. The City has also partnered <br />with seven radio stations and two television stations for $500,000 in free <br />advertising for the programming. <br />a. A total of 83 events attracting over 106,000 people to the downtown <br />were supported by RDA funding in FY 09/010, a 50%) increase in <br />attendance over the previous fiscal year but only a 12%) increase in <br />number of events. <br />b. City surveys of attendees indicate that about 800/0 of those attending <br />an event purchased food or beverages while visiting downtown and <br />spent an average of $19 per visit. Based on the survey results, it is <br />estimated that the economic impact for the downtown was almost <br />$1,600.000 million. <br />c. Signature events included the third year of the Zoppe Italian Family <br />Circus as well as the Salsa Festival. In addition, the annual Hometown <br />Holidays continued to expand its attractions. <br />d. New partnerships begun in FY 08/09 resulted in the second Fiestas <br />Patrias (which attracted an estimated 3,000 people).The Sing Tao <br />Asian Street Fair and the "Second Saturday Art Walks" proved to be <br />regional draws and also brought a trolley to downtown. <br /> <br />5 <br />