“The branch doesn’t fall far from the tree” vis á vis City Heights and Albertson’s
By Remigia Bermúdez’
“The branch doesn’t fall far from the tree” comes to mind in so many respects as I read with great care the insightful article written by SDFP’s Anna Daniels on the economic prospect’s and livelihood of City Heights residents without a clear direction as to who does what about City Heights’ concerns losing a major supermarket, jobs, economic base and faith in local government.
My comments are my professional/personal opinions in an attempt to answer the original questions posed by Anna Daniels in her outstanding article on the impact of Albertsons departure from the City Heights redeveloped project area:
- 1) Who benefited most from the original redevelopment project in City Heights
- 2) Who are the parties of interest?
Having worked about 9 years in redevelopment for two redevelopment corporations of the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency (AKA City of San Diego City Council) as project manager, I believe to have some expert opinions on these questions and other issues that time and space do not permit covering here.
I was the internal watchdog at Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) for approximately 7 years charged to keep CCDC in the straight and narrow as mandated by the City Council due to CCDC‘s past practices of underhanded special deals to developers and associates as well as its discriminatory employment and contracting practices.
Although, prior to that, I worked for Southeastern Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) for two years, I actually led in unity with community advocates the victory that fended off SEDC’s attempts (over 15 years) to take over 5 communities (Sherman Heights, Memorial, Grant Hill, Logan Heights and Stockton) within “SEDC’s” area of influence. First-hand experience in both of these entities helped our communities champion freedom from SEDC/SD Redevelopment Agency fangs (coffers).
“The branch doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Who benefited most from the original redevelopment project in City Heights? Could they be certain former SD City official(s) and SD City administrator(s) who had internal information as to how the City of San Diego operated?
William Jones was termed out as City Councilperson from the 4th City Council District and Jack McGrory was in the City Manager’s office for years and years (prior to the current flailing Mayor from of management) and ended up retiring as the City of San Diego City Manager. Both Jones and McGrory in their capacity as City officials and administrators also wore a second hat (second set of responsibilities for the City) as officials and administrators of the City of SD Redevelopment Agency.
Both Jones and McGrory were at the helm of the developer company who led the redevelopment of City Heights. So with their internal knowledge, political connections and preferred developer connections, it appears that the most who benefited from the City Heights redevelopment were Jones, McGrory and affiliates.
“The branch doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Who are the parties of interest? The sources to answer that question are basically at your (City Heights) fingertips. Janice Weinrick and Jerry Selby are products of CCDC.* CCDC practically ran City redevelopment politics and had great influence on redevelopment practices throughout the City.
Weinrick was the senior vice-president of operations for CCDC for over 10 years. In my opinion, her shrewd redevelopment and managerial tactics helped CCDC stay afloat at the expense of affected parties (communities, staff and others). Needless to say, Weinrick moved on to work at the City of SD Redevelopment Agency until “redevelopment, per se, died.”
While Selby also worked at CCDC as project manager for over 7 years, his well-intentioned pro-community and contractual fairness attempts were often ignored or thwarted by CCDC management. Selby moved on to become the Director of Redevelopment for Imperial Beach until “redevelopment, per se, died.”
“The branch doesn’t fall far from the tree.” More than anybody, I believe that Weinrick and Selby would be knowledgeable as to the length and validity of Disposition and Development Agreements (DDA’s) and Owner Participant Agreements (OPA’s). Also, the City Heights CDC should have archives with all information as one of the operating entities involved at the time..
“The branch doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Let’s not forget the SD City Council, the SD Interim Mayor, the soon-to-be-elected Mayoral candidates and Civic San Diego as parties of interest.
I always recommend that community advocates appear at, and present to, the City Council meetings at 9am and/or 2pm on Tuesdays at 202 C Street, San Diego, 12th floor speaking out and demanding official due diligence during the public comment period. This coming Tuesday,1/28/14, at 2pm is a perfect opportunity. Contact Lucy Contreras at 619/533-7132 or at Contreras@civicsd.com or Council members Alvarez (davidalvarez@sandiego.gov /236-6688), Faulconer (kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov /236-6622), Emerald (martiemerald@sandiego.gov /236-6699) and Interim Mayor Gloria (toddgloria@sandiego.gov /236-6633).
Addressing the Council during public input serves many purposes:
- Places issues on the record,
- Runs on cable TV for a month (garnering support from other community advocates),
- Causes items to be placed on subsequent City Council agendas if speaker requests such,
- Causes Mayor to mobilize management (if speaker request such) to provide answers to the City Council and the public (…if only in a fair society…), and apropos
- Reaches both mayoral candidates, currently functioning as SD City council members.
Keep in mind that the public comment must state the speaker’s request for adding item(s) to council agenda.
“The branch doesn’t fall far from the tree…”Civic San Diego as a party of interest? Per , “IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Diego (Agency) is dissolved as of February 1, 2012, per Assembly Bill 1X 26 (AB 26). The City of San Diego, serving as the successor agency per Resolution No. R-307238 (PDF) (January 12, 2012), has assumed the former Agency’s assets, rights, and obligations under the California Community Redevelopment Law, subject to some limitations, and is winding down the former Agency’s affairs and taking other actions in accordance with the dissolution provisions in Part 1.85 of AB 26. For questions regarding either the enforceable/recognized obligations of the former Agency or the Oversight Board, contact the Office of the Mayor at (619) 236-6330 or successorinfo@sandiego.gov. This website remains intact for historical reference purposes.”
…And CCDC lives on, still commandeering (in my opinion) City Hall. Earlier, I stated, “CCDC practically ran City redevelopment politics and had great influence on redevelopment practices throughout the City.“ The “successor” of the City of San Diego’s Redevelopment agency ended up being Civic San Diego. Per “Civic San Diego (formerly Centre City Development Corporation and Southeastern Economic Development Corporation) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation wholly owned by the City of San Diego with the mission of managing public improvement and public-private partnership projects of the City’s former Redevelopment Agency.
In addition, Civic San Diego has been granted land use authority to perform planning and permitting functions, administer the downtown San Diego parking district and implement its improvement projects, design and manage the construction of parks and fire stations through Development Impact Fees, and develop and execute economic development strategies. Civic San Diego’s [vis á vis CCDC, writer’s comment] 37-year track record of redevelopment has earned it a national reputation as a model agency for successful urban revitalization and forward planning.”
Perhaps all is not lost yet. “Civic San Diego is a city-owned non-profit that is the entrepreneurial development partner for targeted urban neighborhoods. We are a one-stop shop with a Neighborhood Development Toolbox that lets us move quickly with public-private development projects and programs.
Works in Progress
Projects of the Former Redevelopment Agency continue to be active and are listed in the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS). Project lists are also categorized by Council District. To view projects categorized by area, visit any of our Neighborhood Pages
Given the paragraphs above, clearly Civic San Diego and the currently elected officials, should be able to further respond to City Heights’ concerns about losing a major supermarket, jobs, economic base and faith in local government.
I wonder, “Was there a Community Benefits Agreement?”
The least our city government should do is ensure that the dislocated workers be the first to be rehired by the “Albertson’s” replacement(s), that the “minimum” wages are livable wages, and that the “Albertsons’” replacement cater to the needs of the multi-ethnic City Heights community…affordable, quality life staples.
*Correction: The original post incorrectly stated that Janice Weinrick and Jerry Selby are current members of the City Heights Community Development Corp (CHCDC) Board of Directors.
Remigia (Remy) Bermúdez is a SDFP Contributing writer and community activist/organizer, who has over 20 years of professional experience with city, county federal, state and regional governments, 9 of which are in California Redevelopment in San Diego. With a Social Science B.A., a Master’s in City Planning and insider knowledge of city government and administration, Bermúdez uses all on behalf of communities as an ardent advocate for social justice. Coining, “May Justice Prevail,” Bermúdez owns and operates RemyLinks whose motto is “Responsible Government for Better Communities.”
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SDFP editors and readers: The correction states that Janice Weinrick and Jerry Selby are not on the CHCDC Board of Directors. Both Weinrick and Selby are on the CHCDC Economic Development Committee. Clarification with the CHCDC CEO indicated that, the Economic Development Committee falls under the umbrella of the CHCDC Board of Directors. However the correction is a point well-taken. The fact remains that both Selby and Weinrick would have a wealth of information regarding the valid longevity of DDAs and OPAs as it pertains to the deals that took place in the redevelopment of the City Heights redevelopment projects.
The closure of Albertsons is a blow to the community with the loss of not only the anchor tennant in the City Heights Retail Village but of good union jobs, of which there are precious few in City Heights. But it is also an opportunity. Together with Price Charities, LISC, Civic San Diego, the Town Council and other stakeholders City Heights CDC will be an active participant in the search for a positive way forward.
Our review of the applicable Developer Disposition Agreements and Owner Participation Agreements will reveal what if any relevance they have in the present situation, and enable us to ensure that any ongoing public benefits promised to the residents of City Heights are honored. In addition to the Committee members mentioned, our Board members and staff and other community leaders will strain every muscle in the search for a culturally senstive tenant providing healthy, affordable staples and willing to pay a living wage to the people of City Heights who will be eagerly seeking the new jobs.
Thank you for your response, Ken, and for keeping with the intent of my article. It’s good that your leadership within the City Heights Community Development Corporation (CHCDC) is taking the bull by the horns by looking into wheter or not any of the past DDAs and OPAs still have a life and may be enforceable as we speak.
Whether or not these operating and development agreements are still enforceable, the following is still of concern: Will the City of San Diego keep its promise and replace the outgoing supermarket with another supermarket that will cater to the multi-ethnic population and with affordable aprices? Will the City of San Diego keep its promise that residents of City Heights will be the first to be hired? Will the City of San Diego require livable wages as opposed to minimum wages? What is happening to City Heights can happen in any of our communities that have undergone redevelopment reconfigurations.
As the CHCDC is leading the effort to come up with championing benefits for the community it serves, one strategy to consider is “Unity for Commuity.” The CHCDC could bring together many of the actors that were part of the formal and informal process back then and new folks as well. The City Heights Redevelopment Project Area Committee (PAC) was comprised of 20-members that should have been residents, business owner, business operators and non-profit entites. The City Heights Redevelopment PAC was charged with providing advice and community input on proposed redevelopment projects and programs in the Project Area. Bring the folks together and champion as a united front.
My other suggestion is for your staff, consultants and/or CH Economic Development Committee members is to check out the city’s redevelopment site for City Heights for specifics of the original intent, deals and what not. This might be of help in deciphering the history and coing up with new alternatives.
Remi, it already did (Southcrest and Shelltown), and we as a community pushed and pushed for a valued supermarket. While it isn’t what I personally would have chosen, I was outnumbered, but you will bring what you want to your communities most of my neighbors they ‘re happy, and if it is good enough for my community, and their neighbors and even your neighborhoods–good enough for me. People united, we are not to wait for promises to be kept, but change/compromise the thing that will eventually benefit ALL OF US. AND if it’s not
People united, like Cesar Chavez, this insures that your neighbors get what they need and it’s your/their choice. ‘BEEN THERE DONE THAT. I/we don’t have time for that. Shaming a politician is short lived, but giving a boost to their ego, well . . . I always think that most people are good, not my place to figure out who they are. Just put my feet one in front of the other, the rest will take care itself. Bad occurs, righting it well now, it will take care of itself.
Eva, your points are well taken. Karma is within us and around us. Perhaps, that is why SEDC is no more. Not meaning to shame anyone, but “the truth shall set ‘us’ free.”
I don’t believe in giving a boost to politician’s and or administrator’s for the sake of feeding their egoes. They may end up believing the good things they hear about themselves and end up not working on behalf of their electorate and community residents.
I believe in fairness, equality, honesty and justice for all. I know that you do too! I’ve seen you in the struggle for social justice and am proud to have worked with you during the 2010 Redistricting battles.
Of course the city will keep their promises. Recall how the new stadium benefitted everyone in Sherman Heights, bringing with it the Padres’ fifth decade of their efforts to build a credible expansion team. City Heights has nothing to worry about.
Hi, Peter, thank you for remindng me. Benefits to Sherman Heights from PetCo Park? Let’s see….oh yeah, let me count the ways:
1. Wear & tear of our already tattered streets;
2. Light pollution;
3. Noise pollution;
4. Fireworks pollution/air contamination and floating debris (particulate matter);
5 Residents’ home parking take over by baseball fans;
6. Trash and liquor bottles left over on streets where “beisbol” fans park,
7. others (?)
Not even the 7 or so neighborhoods who joined the effort to protect the surrounding communities from the negative impacts as a force known as “Communities United” made a dent on how the San Diego City Council, the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency and Centre City Development Corporation should have provided services to ameliorate the detriments to our communities. They held oodles of meetings. We filled all meetings with standing room only. We sent in written public input and delivered public input at all hearings. All three entities turned a deaf ear and 2 blind eyes similar to the song, “Three Blind Mice.”
Thanks for the memories, Peter. I know that your comment was sarcastic…but sarcasm is sometimes appropriate in times of reflection.
Corporate greed caused the Albertson’s Corporation to close a struggling but profitable location in City Heights with eleven more years on a leased location. If the Corporation were to be totally honest, it will disclosed their earnings by location and this will show that the Waring Road store, north of highway 8, was losing way more money than the City Heights one. Why was the Waring Road location not closed as well?
Big box corporations have a model of far-removed and centralized decision making not sensitive or reactive to the immediate needs of their market delivery locations and consumers and their food budgets. Therefore, the corporation has itself as beneficiary of all decision making and not the host community. It is time to change that model. The arguments against Walmart are that it kills local mom & pop operations. And when leaving, big box corporations leave behind a vacuum, a stigmatized and devastated community with no appropriate services to fulfill its basic needs.
While talking about what happen brings some relief, talking about the future brings hope and perhaps the best community based benefits and driven solutions. The Albertson’s closure bring along with itself a fantastic opportunity for change and local growth. It is time to allow a local Grocer to expand while providing multi-ethnic products, personalized services and quick implemented solutions.
The owner and operator of Supermercado Murphy, Mark Kassab, is a proven local business man with a great record and longevity in the neighborhood, who is the largest City Heights employer and looking for an opportunity to expand his business. The former Albertson’s site will be a perfect location for him and us, the residents of Fox Canyon, City Heights. Let us make of today, a great day!
José, thanks for taking the leadership for sending a similar letter to the elected officials. ?Qué harán? !Sepa!
My response to comments throughout calls for the unification of all entities that will help bring a solution to the dilemma. I emphasize “Unity for Community.”
Since you were part of the redevelopment meetings way back when, it would be advantageous to join in with the City Heights CDC’s efforts in re-examining the current validity, or lack thereof, of the old DDAs and OPAs. I bring this up b/c your comment opens with a statement that appears to indicate that Albertson’s lease still has 11 more years. You wote, “Corporate greed caused the Albertson’s Corporation to close a struggling but profitable location in City Heights with eleven more years on a leased location.”
Also, thank you so very much for the lead into Councilmember Marti Emerald’s facebook piece. I don’t do Facebook (FB). However, another interested party forwarded me the KPBS link that she placed on her FB, http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/jan/28/what-can-city-heights-residents-do-response-albert/
Councilmember Emerald was interviewed regarding the impact on City Heights for not having a supermarket in the City Heights “Redevelopment Village.” She wote, “PRESS | Thankful that KPBS gave me the opportunity to discuss the closure of the Albertsons in City Heights today. This is a story and an issue worth discussing. As the Councilmember for this area, I want to make sure that I understand what this means to those I represent. So I ask you all, how will this impact you and what would you like to see replace Albertsons?”
José, your direct mail to the elected officials and the united front that is increasing from community advocates appear to be creating a wave of interest and action- oriented movimientos (and perhaps, movidas).
Now if only “Unity for Community” would be honored, we should have a replacement of such services to benefit City Heights residents and serve as model for future “surprises” elsewhere.