Fountain Valley Ca Development And Redevelopment

Members of the Orange County Bicycle Coalition are asking the City Council to help them in their campaign to keep the Santa Ana River bike trail open during construction of the next phase of the flood-control project. Plans are to detour cyclists from the river trail to designated bike paths in Fountain Valley and Santa Ana during the next phase of the project, which stretches from the San Diego Freeway in Fountain Valley north to 17th Street in Santa Ana.

The City Council on Tuesday approved the distribution of nearly $660,000 for next fiscal year's Community Development Block Grant money. The money will be used to rehabilitate homes, revitalize neighborhoods and help local organizations. The city's block grant money for 1993-94 is expected to be $658,206, which includes $357,000 in new federal funding, said Lauren Sacco, community development block grant coordinator for the city.

Local officials held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for the city's first for-sale affordable housing development, hailing it as an opportunity for first-time buyers to own their own homes in the county's pricey real estate market. More than 200 families have already expressed an interest in buying townhomes at Heil Park, a 24-unit project targeted for buyers earning below the county's median income.

Proposed housing projects at two surplus school sites must be built in phases in order for the developer to obtain financing, consultants told school trustees this week. The recommendation to phase the projects was presented Thursday to the Fountain Valley School District board by representatives from a lending institution, a title company and a marketing firm. Under an agreement with the Tumanjan Development Co.

Because the developer of two housing projects on Fountain Valley School District property can't get financing, the Board of Trustees is concerned that the projects will fall behind schedule and that sorely needed revenues to the district will be delayed. "There is reason for concern--they should have gotten construction financing in place," board President Larry R. Crandall said. Crandall said banks are reluctant to lend money because of the sluggish economy and depressed home sales.

Some residents who live near the location of a proposed affordable housing project on Heil Avenue have been bombarding City Hall with concerns and objections. The residents have vowed to attend tonight's City Council meeting for a hearing on the proposal to build 24 two-story townhouses. To muster support, residents last week circulated flyers in their neighborhoods, urging citizens to attend the council meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m.

Fountain Valley School District board members have approved amended sales agreements with its joint-venture partner--agreements that will allow the partner to pursue financing for housing projects on two surplus district properties. Parents and teachers turned out last week to urge the board to finalize the development deal, which is expected to pour much-needed revenues into the financially strapped elementary school district. One project will include 81 single-family homes on 8.

A shopping mall wasn't likely--neighboring cities had already captured the marketplace. Auto dealerships also weren't practical--such businesses abound on nearby Harbor and Beach boulevards. "We were not looking to create another strip center. We were looking for creative projects for what pieces of land were left," said Laurann Cook, a Fountain Valley councilwoman. "There was no way to compete with the shopping centers, so we asked, 'What's our niche in the marketplace?'

City officials have wrapped up a deal to bring the city's first recreational vehicle dealership to town, a move that is expected to pour $300,000 in annual sales-tax revenues into the municipal treasury. "This deal has the potential to take care of the money the state took from us," City Manager Ray Kromer said. Kromer said the city is expected to lose about $400,000 in state revenues from its general fund, money used to pay for services such as public safety.

The City Council last week approved a 10-year lease with Coast Community College District to upgrade a vacant Police Department building where Coastline College plans to hold evening classes. The lease allows the college district to borrow $300,000 in redevelopment funds to renovate the 24-year-old building at the Civic Center complex. The district will repay the loan over 10 years. Coastline will also pay for all maintenance, insurance and utilities.