This story in the Victorville (Calif.) Daily Press tells about the city’s continuing purchases of Old Town properties in an effort to revitalize the neighborhood.
However …
Nothing has yet been put to paper as to what the purchased properties will become. Metzler said they will be eliminating the existing plan for Old Town’s revitalization and expect to have a new one established by the end of this year.
He expects that plan to include typical mixed-use development, with ground-floor retail and office space along the main thoroughfares.
There are also plans to build residential properties three or four stories high, Metzler said, since the money being used to fund the redevelopment is earmarked for housing.
And the uncertainty has affected decisions by the California Route 66 Museum.
The reaction to this news from business owners was very positive, though some are concerned about what to do in the meantime.
Representatives from the Route 66 Museum said that the exterior of their building needs $10,000 to $15,000 worth of repairs. They are wondering: “Do we spend money on repairs or are we going to move?”
Metzler answered, “If it was me I would wait” — though they may be waiting a while.
Doesn’t this seem backwards?
Shouldn’t the city form an actual, detailed plan before it keeps buying up parcels? It seems unfair for existing properties to be jerked around while the city makes up its mind on what it wants to do.