Successor Agency Meetings

Oversight Board

Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the Former Ukiah Redevelopment Agency 

Successor Agency Recognized Obligation Payment Schedules and Administration Budgets

Financial Reports

5 Year Implementation Plan

The Ukiah Redevelopment Agency originally adopted its Implementation Plan in 1995. Consistent with the Community Redevelopment Reform Act of 1993, The plan should be periodically reviewed and updated in order to ensure the Redevelopment Agency Continues to serve the most current needs of the community. The original plan included programs, expenditures, and revenues, and a description of how these goals, objectives, programs, and expenditures will assist in the alleviation of blight between the years 1995 and 1999.

While the goals and objectives stated in the original plan remain unchanged, this plan amendment provides revision to the programs based upon available funds and specific project viability, in context with the growth and development our community is experiencing. Through the consideration of the many recent and valuable public and private projects which have contributed to the economic vitality of Ukiah, the Redevelopment Agency will incorporate this amendment into the Implementation Plan to guide its efforts toward the elimination of blight through June 30, 2000.

Blight is defined as an area which is characterized by either physical or economic conditions such as:

Physical Conditions

• Building which are unsafe or unhealthy for persons to live or work.
• Factors which substantially hinder the economically viable use of lots or buildings.
• Incompatible adjacent or nearby uses which prevent economic development.
• Subdivided lots of irregular form and shape and inadequate size for proper usefulness and developments that are in multiple ownership.

• Depreciated or stagnate property values or impaired investments, including, but not limited to, the existence of hazardous wastes.
• High business vacancies, low lease rates, high turnover rates, abandoned buildings, vacant lots within an area developed for urban use and served by utilities.
• A lack of necessary commercial facilities usually found, such as banks, grocery stores, etc.
• Residential overcrowding or an excess of bars or liquor stores or adult uses which have led to problems of public safety or welfare.
• A high crime rate that constitutes a serious threat to public safety and welfare.

From Vision to Action: Downtown Ukiah

February 11, 2010 Meeting
Agenda
Presentation

Facade Improvement Grant Program

The Ukiah Redevelopment Agency funds the Facade Improvement Grant Program to revitalize Ukiah’s Downtown Design District. This public/private partnership is intended to stimulate investment, reduce blight, and improve the physical appearance of commercial buildings and related site elements. Owners of commercial property located within the Facade Improvement Grant Program boundaries may apply for facade improvement grants not to exceed a maximum lifetime total of $50,000 per storefront (building and site). Approved costs are reimbursed after the completion of the approved work and compliance with all project Conditions of Approval, up to a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of eligible expenses under the rules of the program.

Project Area and Background

Since the adoption of the Implementation Plan, the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency has accomplished a number of highly successful activities. Many additional private sector projects have also been completed or are under discussion. These, along with the Agency's activities, provide the impetus for an amendment to the Implementation at this time.

Downtown Revitalization

The primary focus of the Redevelopment Agency's efforts has remained the revitalization of Ukiah's downtown. Since its inception, the Facade Improvement Program has initiated exterior improvements to many buildings in the downtown core and leveraged substantial private sector investment through matching grants. Many of these buildings have undergone a historic renovation, as well as eliminated conditions of physical blight. This program has provided valuable assistance to our community in improving property maintenance, in the visual quality of businesses, and in reducing vacancy rates in downtown.

The Ukiah Valley Conference Center and Alex R. Thomas, Jr. Plaza are additional projects initiated to help revitalize our downtown. The Ukiah Valley Conference Center is an office, retail, and meeting room complex located in the heart of downtown which involved the remodeling and restoration of a long-vacant building. This 20,000 square foot facility provides a substantial anchor drawing groups, organizations and individuals into the downtown on a daily basis. The project is also a business center, housing the Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce, Ukiah Main Street Program, several burgeoning micro enterprises, and community non-profits.

In addition to the conference Center, the Redevelopment Agency completed construction of the Alex R. Thomas Jr., Plaza in 1996. Thomas Plaza fulfills a long time community goal by providing a "heart" for downtown. The Plaza design reflects the historic and cultural diversity present in Ukiah and Provides a central location for special events and social activities center which has greatly invigorated the downtown revitalization effort.

The Agency has also adopted the Downtown Parking Improvement Program which established the goals and objectives for the Downtown Parking District and defines the methodology for accomplishing them. The adoption of this program has directly led to the completion of an agreement with the County of Mendocino to establish designated parking for the 130 county employees working in the downtown. Discussions have also been initiated with the courts to complete a similar agreement for juror parking. Both of these agreements will greatly contribute to resolving parking conflicts in the downtown and significantly enhancing the climate for health and vital business activity.

Overall Economic Development

The Redevelopment Agency has also been a major contributor to the economic development of the general Ukiah area. Key projects such as the Downtown Business Recruitment Program, Extension of Airport Park Blvd., and completion of business expansion projects such as Mendocino Brewing Company and Maverick Enterprises have significantly increased the number of local industrial jobs. Also, through the successful application of CDBG funds, the Agency has established a revolving loan fund which has assisted the start up of four new businesses. The Agency currently contracts with the economic Development and Finance Corporation (EDFC), a public nonprofit, for services in this area. AS EDFC provides countywide economic development services to all the public agencies in Mendocino County, this contractual relationship provides a more coordinated effort and has enhanced cooperation among the various agencies.

Private Investment

The Agency's assistance in the completion of those programs and improvements has assisted in the stimulation of the overall economic climate and resulted in substantial investment by the private sector within the City of Ukiah. This is underscored by construction projects such as the new 54,000 square foot Savings Bank of Mendocino County building, Maverick Enterprises' relocation and expansion, the 90,000 square foot Mendocino Brewing Company Facility, the Federal Express relocation and expansion to the City-owned Regional airport, and the more recent commercial growth in the Redwood Business Park.

Low and Moderate Income Housing

The Agency has also been responsible for assisting with many housing projects by providing loans and grants to various nonprofit organizations. As a result, it has formed stronger partnerships with the Mendocino County Community Development Commission, Rural Communities Housing Development Corporation, the Ford Street Project, and Ukiah Community Center. The low and Moderate Income Housing Advisory Committee's assistance in the distribution of these funds ensures a community based direction for our low and moderate income housing program.

AB 987 - Database of Affordable Units