Redevelopment is a process authorized under California law that enables local government entities to revitalize deteriorated and blighted areas in their jurisdictions. Redevelopment agencies develop a plan and provide the initial funding to launch revitalization of identified areas. In doing so, redevelopment encourages and attracts private sector investment that otherwise wouldn’t occur.

The Citrus Grove

In West Covina, redevelopment has played a vital role in making West Covina the thriving City it is today. The West Covina Community Development Commission (“CDC”) has established itself as a highly respected, aggressive and proactive agency. Through private/public partnerships between the West Covina CDC and developers, the private sector is encouraged to invest. Redevelopment in West Covina has served as a catalyst for economic vitality, job creation, business opportunities, providing affordable housing, reducing crime, improving infrastructure and public works, cleanup of environmentally-threatened and rundown areas and increasing sales/property tax revenues to the City. As the redevelopment agency the CDC has the authority to:

• Acquire real property including, if necessary the power to use eminent domain
• Develop and sell property
• Authority and obligation to relocate persons who have interest in property acquired by the agency
• Finance their operations by borrowing from federal or state government and selling bonds
• Improve land use controls pursuant to a comprehensive redevelopment plan

CDC’s redevelopment efforts have transformed blighted conditions into thriving parts of the City that contribute positively to the lives of residents and businesses.

Success of Redevelopment

• Majority of the commercial development you see within the City is a result of redevelopment
• Over 13.5 million square feet of commercial property along the interstate 10 attributed to redevelopment.
• One Super Regional Shopping Center (Westfield West Covina) and one Regional Power Center (Westfield Eastland).
• Prominent Class A office buildings (Lakes, Wells Fargo Tower, Nogales Medical Office Building.
• Major Auto Plaza (Eight Dealerships)
• Major Entertainment Center (Edwards Entertainment Center)
• Regional sporting facility (Big League Dreams)
• Dining destinations (Restaurant Row, The Curve)
• Shopping Destinations (West Covina Heights, The Citrus Grove, South Hills Plaza, Samantha Courtyard)

Big League Dreams

As a result of redevelopment it has improved the City’s economic base by generating substantial tax revenues. These tax revenues are utilized to help pay for essential city services, such as police, fire, community programs and infrastructure. For more information on redevelopment please visit the California Redevelopment Association ("CRA") website.