Downtown Partnership Endorses SB1206 (Kehoe)

Business Advocacy Organization Moves from “Opposed” Position after Amendments to Redevelopment Legislation Finalized

CONTACT:    Kevin Casey (619) 234-0201 x 105 or (619) 540-8350 (cell) 

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, August 23, 2006 – The Board of Directors of the Downtown San Diego Partnership announced their formal support today for SB1206 (Kehoe).  This is significant as the Partnership had formally opposed SB1206 earlier this year.

            “Our Board voted to oppose in June based on specific passages in the bill that would have had considerable negative impacts for Downtown and the other older project areas across the state,” said Barbara Warden, President of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.  “However, our Urban Design Committee never gave up on this bill, and they continued to work with Senator Kehoe’s office over the past few months.  Eventually, all of the language we objected to was amended out of the bill.” 

            Changes to the bill that caused the Partnership to reverse its position include:

·                                Softening of the blight description requirement language in Section 33352. 

·                                Deletion of Section 33367 language which would have required that blight be proven “based on clear and convincing evidence.”

·                                Deletion of language in Section 33601 that placed time limits on the establishment of debt by older project areas.

            Speaking to this ongoing collaborative process, Barbara Warden said “On behalf of our members and Board of Directors, I want to thank Senator Kehoe and her staff for working collaboratively with us toward the creation of necessary legislation that will serve to end redevelopment abuses without hurting the older project areas across the state.” 

            SB1206 was approved by the State Senate earlier this year.  It is expected to pass overwhelmingly at the Assembly before reaching the Governor’s desk for signature on September 1^st. 

The Downtown San Diego Partnership was formed in 1993 with the    merger of two prominent business associations:  San Diegans Inc. (formed in 1958), and the Centre City Association (formed in 1952.)  Today, the Partnership has more than 325 members and serves as the leading advocate for Downtown economic development, residential living, entertainment, and the arts. 

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