Revisit RDA Downtown Plan

We believe the RDA needs to revisit the downtown plan, embark on
a community engagement planning process with those immediately
impacted by the extension and the potential for new residential
development, and revisit city processes and policies that impede or
have an adverse impact on private investments in the area.
The Morgan Hill City Council has unanimously extended the life of its Redevelopment Agency until the year 2024. Now what?

We ask because while the RDA extension plan has been approved, pumping $330 million into the agency over the next 18 years, there doesn’t seem to be a carefully thought-out plan to target the city’s redevelopment area  particularly the downtown core which is now slated to add an additional 100 residential units under Measure F, passed by voters Nov. 7.

We believe, therefore, that the RDA – whose directors are the mayor and city council members – needs to revisit the downtown plan, embark on a community engagement planning process with those immediately affected by the extension and the potential for new residential development, and revisit city processes and policies that impede or have an adverse impact on private investments in the area. We need immediate policy changes.

We also feel those within the redevelopment areas need more outreach and direct involvement in the planning process.

We can’t stress enough the importance of the agency in the revitalization of private investment in the city’s redevelopment area, specifically the area bounded by Dunne Avenue to the south, Main Street to the north, Del Monte Street to the west and Depot Avenue to the east.

Forging solid private-public partnerships could pay for building facade improvements, new signage, new streets, sidewalk improvements, pedestrian lighting, streetlights, trees, parking lots, necessary improvements that could serve as a catalyst for new investments.  

One thing we must realize is that the RDA is needed as the private sector can’t do it alone, particularly in the downtown. The RDA is there to eliminate blight and increase property values. That’s the job of the RDA but it’s also the job of those running the agency to do whatever is necessary in their power to make the agency’s downtown plan as engaging and inclusive as possible.