RDA Min 1998-06-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of different interests coming together to complete a project that has been very successful. Mr. Warren said only the existence and the powers of the Redwood City Redevelopment Agency are permitting the Franklin Street Area project to go forward. He said "without the Agency that Area would develop like Topsy." Joe Brady, 234 Marshall, one of the developers of City Centre Plaza, the new downtown building soon to be occupied by U.C. Berkeley Extension, said he and his partners were unable to develop that property for years because of the economic climate. He said the Redevelopment Agency offered them a chance to participate in a large development with the adjacent land owners, and said he found the experience very positive. Mr. Brady said that the Plaza project appears to be a catalyst for downtown renewal, and that project would not have come about without the assistance of the Redevelopment Agency. Frank Manocchio, 1280 Middlefield Road, Landscape Contractor, said he opposed the inclusion of Area No.2. He said he purchased materials from Lyngso Garden Materials, and "they are a very vital part of this area's economy in terms of supplying building materials and landscaping materials to the green industry." Mr. Manocchio said if Lyngso had to relocate their prices would go up. He said a key to a healthy economy is diversity of businesses, and Area 2 had a history of industrial use with thriving compatible businesses. Mr. Manocchio said the concepts of blight and eminent domain were too broad and threatened the livelihood of these businesses. He said being in a Redevelopment Area was like having the sword of Damocles hanging over people and discouraged investment and long range planning. Theresa Lyngso, Lyngso Garden Materials, 19 Seaport Boulevard, said her company had been in business for over 40 years and in Redwood City for 30 years. She said a compatible and stable industrial and recycling community has grown and prospered there for 30 years. Mrs. Lyngso said this area was constantly being considered for other uses, and she wondered why the businesses who have worked so hard to be there aren't valued more. She said they were a strongly community oriented business that needed a special home. Mrs. Lyngso said the Blomquist area is one of the best areas on the Peninsula for these types of businesses. She said they built their business and made improvements in good faith that the City would continue to support them. She said they were discouraged and disheartened to be included in this area. Director Church said, in response to the last two speakers, "Just because you are in a Redevelopment District does not mean that this Council, this Board will take any action to affect negatively those businesses. I think quite the contrary. Given the kind of input you have received, it would be... counter rational to say yes, we would want to remove these businesses wholesale. I don't think that is what you have indicated to staff, and that's not what this proposal would necessarily do. What we would open up AGENDA FOR THE JOINT PUBLIC HEARING MINUTE BOOK NO.1 JUNE 8,1998 AND CONCURRENT MEETING WITH THE Page No. 485 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL