BELLFLOWER — The Bellflower City Council has tentatively approved the boundaries for its first redevelopment project, but officials are not sure how the city will pay for the land it plans to acquire.

The boundaries--Lakewood, Bellflower and Artesia boulevards--are the same that voters approved last November when they passed Proposition S.

The U-shaped redevelopment area includes the downtown business district, a variety of medium-sized commercial/industrial properties on the western edge of the city and several auto dealerships near the Artesia Freeway.

City officials said redevelopment will inject new life into an old business district, improve blighted commercial zones and keep auto dealers from relocating to other cities.

'Will Upgrade Property'

"The main goal is to get businesses in here," said Councilman Joseph Cvetko. "The auto malls all around us have taken our car dealers. Plus, it will upgrade the property."

Mayor John Ansdell said many downtown businessmen have complained about the aging business district and have asked for redevelopment. He also stressed the importance of keeping auto dealers in Bellflower.

The boundaries of the redevelopment area were adopted by a 3-0 vote of the council, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, at a meeting July 24. Ansdell and Councilman Ken Cleveland abstained from voting since both own property in the redevelopment area, City Atty. Maurice O'Shea said. The city Planning Commission will vote on the boundaries in mid-September.

But although the Redevelopment Agency has defined the project area, it has not determined how to pay for the land.

"We don't know how much money we will have," City Administrator Jack Simpson said. "It doesn't appear at this point that there will be that much money."

Will Probably Sell Bonds

Simpson said the Redevelopment Agency will not turn to the city's General Fund for a loan because "it is not in condition at this time to lend money." The agency, he said, will probably sell bonds after the redevelopment plan is completed.

The Redevelopment Agency is authorized by state law to issue bonds to pay for property it buys in the project area. The agency will give the property to developers or sell it at a reduced price to encourage them to build in the city. Part of the increase in property taxes that would result from new development would be used to retire the bonds or be set aside for other projects, said Deputy City Administrator Craig Nealis.