Add Grantville to List of Bad Projects

By Brian T. Peterson, San Diego

E-MAIL STORY

Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 | If anyone would like another to add to Murtaza Baxamusa's list of bad redevelopment projects, look at Grantville.

For decades Grantville has been a neighborhood of hard-working people, minding their business. It is precisely this nose-to-the-grindstone approach, however, that made Grantville a target for the forces of redevelopment. Everybody was too busy doing their jobs to pay attention to the political calculations targeting their community.

The current Grantville "Vision Plans" would transform a light-industrial and retail-business community into a high-density residential community -- an "urban village." To a great extent, the plans amount to scraping the earth clean and starting over. And to what end?

Clearly, redevelopment is a money-making machine for those who drive the process --lenders, developers, lawyers, and it is job security for Redevelopment Agency staff. To be charitable, it would be nice to give elected officials the benefit of the doubt and hope they are not lining their pockets too. There are doubts. "The premise that any development is good for the community" is obviously based on the fact that any development is so good for the developers (and lenders, lawyers, etc.).

Unfortunately, it is everybody else left holding the bag. If an area is truly a blight on society, then this cost is well worth it, and everyone should share. As Baxamusa illustrates, however, these dubious money-making schemes have a way of turning out bad and costing the city millions.

Given that the city's financial prospects are grim, even looking far into the future, the last thing we need is to embark on another dubious redevelopment venture. We should all keep our fingers crossed (and toes too) that on March 7th the county wins its lawsuit with the city to stop Grantville redevelopment.

3 Comments so far on this story...

In MURTAZA BAXAMUSA article "On Your Dime" 2/19/07, the last sentence says it all!- The CEO of the downtown redevelopment agency {CCDC(sic)}, Nancy Graham, recently told reporters: "We don't get into the financial analysis, and neither does the city." Who expects success with a CEO like that? As for bad redevelopment deals costing the taxpayers money list add: Mercato in Barrio Logan, the taking of the Gran Havana Cigar Cafe in East Village to be replaced by a hotel that never happened, NTC given to developer, 16 blocks around DT Ballpark and on & on...

Posted by Daniel_Beeman@yahoo.com | reply to this comment
February 26, 2007 2:37 pm

When is San Diego going to 'wake up?' When BP says, "redevelopment is a money-making machine for those who drive the process--Lenders, Developers, Lawyers," he is right. No more than another Ponzi Scheme, with the City and the State (funded by ratepayers)-who get None of the Property Taxes from the 'new developments' end up with Nothing for the "New Density of Residents, whether Vacation Homes or Permanent Residents." Only benefitting the short term development industry, when there's no $ for: water,sewer, police, fire, ambulances, roads,lights, parks, etc.'maintenance,'to 'service the added population,'then what? More taxes?

Posted by Mgt. Consultant | reply to this comment
February 27, 2007 2:24 am

Daniel hits the nail right on the head.......the City gives away far more than it should-and that is not by accident IMHO.........

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
February 28, 2007 12:20 am

Reader feedback

Users may post more than one comment, but should not pose as multiple users. Multiple posts from the same IP address but with a different user name on each will be reviewed to determine whether abuse has occurred.
Posts with overly personal attacks or unsubstantiated allegations may be edited or deleted.
Please be patient with the posts -- there may be a delay before they appear on the site -- and make sure to enter the code in the "image verification" box.