Suisun City RDA Seeks Innovative Developer Interested in 30-acre Highway Site

SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Redevelopment Agency is seeking an innovative, experienced and financially capable developer that can help the Agency reach Suisun City's redevelopment goals for a 30-acre parcel on California State Route 12. >>Map>>

The parcel, which is zoned Commercial Service with a General Plan designation of Planned Development, is considered a key bridge between the Suisun City's main residential districts and the redeveloped Waterfront District, which is fast becoming a regional dining and entertainment destination.

The Agency's primary goals for any development on this site are:

• Strengthen the economic vitality of the City as a whole
• Embrace the site's location relative to the train station and the Waterfront District
• Provide a transition between existing development from the east to the Waterfront District
• Provide pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular connectivity and linkage from the east to the Waterfront District
• Create land planning and architectural treatments that are visually appealing from Highway 12 and the rail line
• Create a comprehensive plan for the entire site

The site faces State Route 12 (Highway 12) and is immediately adjacent to Solano County's only rail station serving the Capitol Corridor commuter rail service that extends from Sacramento to San Jose. A new Class I recreation trail runs along the southern boundary of the property to provide a key alternative transportation route to the Waterfront District, which is a primary focus of the Agency's redevelopment effort for the past 20 years.

Find general information on the Economic Development Department page or go to www.SuisunCityBusiness.com.

>>Follow this link for full details on the opportunity and related studies and documents>>

Suisun City Public Works Cancels Bid Notice for Main Street Project

SUISUN CITY - The Suisun City Public Works Department has canceled its notice for bidders to submit proposals for the Main Street Rehabilitation Project that is expected to take place during the upcoming summer construction season.

As a result, bids will not be received on May 20, 2010.

The City will re-advertised the project and will make new bid documents available to bidders on or about May 24, 2010. Registered plan holders who purchased bid documents may request new documents at no additional charge.

The original scope of the project entailed making major repairs to Main Street from Solano Avenue to near Lotz Way. In areas where the subgrade has settled, pavement, curb, gutters and sidewalks will be replaced. When that work is completed, the entire street will receive a pavement overlay and new street markings.

Public Works Engineering staff is making modifications to the bid documents prior to re-advertising the project.

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Suisun City Redevelopment Agency Forced to Pay $5.7 Million to State in Raid of Local Funds

PAYMENT WILL DAMAGE AGENCY'S ABILITY TO EXPAND LOCAL ECONOMY

SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Redevelopment Agency today was forced to turn over $5.7 million to the Solano County Auditor, a required payment resulting from the State’s decision to raid $2.05 billion in local redevelopment funds as part of the 2009-10 State Budget. Instead of going to fund local job creation, economic growth and urban revitalization projects, this money will now be siphoned off to help pay the State’s obligations.

The payment was made in accordance with a ruling by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Lloyd Connelly last week that instructed local redevelopment agencies to abide by the provisions of ABX4-26 passed last year as part of the State budget. The bill allows the State to take $2.05 billion in redevelopment funding to use for State obligations. The California Redevelopment Association (CRA) is appealing the Superior Court ruling to the Court of Appeal.

The Redevelopment Agency Board had directed Suisun City Economic Development staff to wait until the latest possible deadline to forward the money.

“Losing this money is going to devastate our ability to build and expand our City’s economy,” said City Manager Suzanne Bragdon. “By taking our local funds, the State is preventing us from investing in local projects that are vital to the residents and businesses of Suisun City.”

“Loss of these funds comes during one of the worst declines in local property values and related revenues that we’ve ever seen,” said City Manager Bragdon. “The worst part is Sacramento will be back next year for another $1.7 million from our Redevelopment Agency. Unless the courts reverse this protocol, we’re afraid that the State will eventually take all of our redevelopment resources, effectively bankrupting the most powerful tool we have to build our community.”

In the past 20 years, the Suisun City Redevelopment Agency has been the primary force in

• Rebuilding the Suisun City Marina
• Removing severely blighted and crime-ridden neighborhoods near the Waterfront
• Rebuilding the Waterfront District
• Providing key funding for the Suisun City Library
• Constructing the Nelson Community Center
• Constructing the Lambrecht Sports Complex
• Renovating the Harbor Theater
• Constructing the Delta Cove, Victorian Harbor and Harbor Park neighborhoods
• Renovated the Suisun City Train Station
• Funding the First-Time Homebuyer and Neighborhood Revitalization programs and
• Dozens of other projects

“Sending this money to the State means we won’t be able to do these types of projects any longer,” said Economic Development Director Jason Garben.

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