The Rise Of The 29 Palms Phoenix

There are different  legends about the symbolic Phoenix, but they all have the same theme.  A Phoenix will live a pre-determined life cycle and at the end of its life, it will build a nest, and then the nest and the Phoenix burst into flames.  A new Phoenix will emerge and will go through the same process as the parent Phoenix and is destined to live as long as its original self.  If a person believes in these legends, it might be prudent to look at the timeline of our very own 29 Palms Phoenix.

In theory, you could argue that the original Phoenix began on a moonless night in 1993 when a group of men created the Four Corners Redevelopment Agency.  This theory would give the “new”  Phoenix a life span of  approximately 18 years.  This belief could cause the citizens of 29 to rethink expanding Project Phoenix in area and cost. However, in my research, I believe that I can pinpoint the birthing of Project Phoenix.

After reading comments on Project Phoenix, I decided to do some research for the citizens planning to attend Thursday Night’s Public Meeting. (Due to job obligations, I could not finish this by the 17th)  After researching all the archived Staff Reports and City Council Documents, I found that in August 2006,  a Downtown Revitalization Study was initiated. I found it very interesting, maybe even prophetic that the  then Councilmember Benton said that at the L.O.C.C. meeting he heard information and current laws regarding redevelopment. He said this is an area the City Council will definitely pursue.  In April 2006, many residents at the meeting voiced concern about spending money on a study and asked what happened to other two studies.  After public comments were closed:

On a motion made by Council Member Spear, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klink

and carried with a 4-0-1 roll call vote (Bernal absent), the City Council awarded

the contract to CB Richard Ellis consultant (CBRE) in the amount of $79,000 for

the preparation of the Downtown Revitalization Economic Feasibility Study, and

authorized the Mayor and/or City Manager to execute the agreement.

Director Meyerhoff presented a staff report. He said that the redevelopment project area is anticipated to generate approximately $2.5 million in revenue between 2004 and 2009. He said of this 20%, or $500,000 is required to be allocated towards the provision of affordable housing. The intent would be to participate in a senior housing project. (2006)

In December 2006,  CBRE presented the findings to the City Council.  When asked if there were any mistakes to learn from, Mr. Williams of CBRE  stated that the most “damaging thing that the city could do would be to do nothing.” …  He also said that the key would be to not have retail on the street. The council was told to read the study and give any questions to Alex “. The study is self explanatory.  Although the Downtown Revitalization Plan will be mentioned several times over the next few years, Project Phoenix is mentioned in 2007/2008. The first mention of Project Phoenix is in  January 8, 2008′s Update of Management Action Plan. The Project is slated for March 2008. Project Phoenix is actually ignored until September ’08.

MONDAY, 4:00 P.M., SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

AGENDA

3.0 STUDY SESSION

3.1 Review of Funding Priorities for the Twentynine Palms Redevelopment Agency

and Review of Applications for Private Property Improvement Programs.

RECOMMENDATION: Receive staff report, provide input and give direction.

At the September 22nd meeting staff presented the following chart that identified recommended project funding allocations:

Downtown Specific Plan $ 100,000

Downtown Enhancements 600,000

Land Acquisition 300,000

Operation Phoenix 1,300,000

Storefront Improvements 50,000

Historic Plaza 500,000

General Clean-up 25,000

Property Improvement Program 825,000

Total $ 3,700,000

This is a Study Session and I couldn’t find any other minutes or reports for this date.  However, it comes up again  at the 10/14/08  council meeting. Klink and Spear both expressed concern about Project Phoenix, with Spear suggesting that the project be scaled down. Project Phoenix is not mentioned again until March 24/09. A timeline of 90 days was given to see results.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Staff Report

BACKGROUND: In 2008, the Redevelopment Agency approved a project implementation strategy that included constructing alley, parking lot, and curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements in certain locations south of the downtown commercial properties that front Highway 62. The Downtown Specific Plan also envisions establishing pedestrian paseos and off-street parking areas behind these commercial properties.This endeavor has been entitled Project Phoenix. RSG has consulted with the Downtown Specific Plan Consultant and studied the area. They then prepared a concept plan that envisions having theRedevelopment Agency fund the construction of alley and parking lot improvements behind the commercial properties south of Highway 62, between Tamarisk and Yucca Avenues. Their concept would be implemented in two phases as follows:

Phase I – paseo creation and parking improvements

- remove visual clutter

- improve parking and access (visibility, accessibility, sustainability)

- install a sewer lateral pipe so that these properties may be connected into a future sewer

system

- share use of alley (ROW) with pedestrians and community through paving, planting and

seating.

- extend use into evening hours through dark-sky lighting.

Phase II – facade improvements

- remove visual clutter (where possible)

- create courts with low walls

- provide desert palette color guidelines

- shade structure improvements

- open second ‘fronts’ with use of storefront openings

- sign consistency @ pedestrian scale

- extend use into evening hours through dark-sky lighting.

In order to implement the Phase I improvements, the Agency would need to purchase three properties, and it would also need to relocate the residents of a duplex unit that occupies one of these parcels. The estimated cost to implement the Phase I design and construction improvements is $490,000. The Agency has budgeted $600,000 in the 2009-2010 budget for downtown plan improvements.

RSG will present the concept plans and cost estimates at the July 28th meeting. The recommendation is that the Board receives the staff report and directs staff to continue to work with the Downtown Specific Plan Consultant, Planning Commission and the Board on the project.

Council approved, In regards to the expansion of the Phoenix Project, staff recommends the following:9/22/09 . That the City Council review and accept the information provided, and direct staff to work with the RSG in moving forward with the expansion of the Phoenix Project area.

Flash Forward to November 9, 2010 and this City Council Meeting seems to be a repeat of the September 2009 meeting. Project Phoenix Phase 1 has once again been given the green light to go forward. It seems that the project just can’t take flight and here we are in November 2011 still discussing Project Phoenix.

It was my original intent to produce the timeline and the morphing of a $1.3 Million Dollar project to its present day price tag of $13 million. However, due to Governor Brown’s recent legislation, I believe this story has changed to a Phoenix that will nest and burst into flames without the legendary rising of the new Phoenix.

Part 2 to follow.

Related posts:

1. DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN GOES TO CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9
2. Pay to Play RDA: Part 2 Project Phoenix
3. (Twentynine Palms City Council) Hey Guys, Thanks For Listening.
4. Where Fools Rush In
5. City Council has full agenda for Feb 8th, Project Phoenix, Historic Plaza, Branding, Mid-Year Budget & more

Tags: Project Phoenix, twentynine palms, Twentynine Palms Redevelopment Agency