L.A. River Restoration May Have New Funding Source

LOS ANGELES (AP) — City leaders may have found a way to finance their share of ambitious plans to revitalize the Los Angeles River.

Confined to concrete culverts for most of its 51 miles, parts of the river would be brought much closer to their natural state under a $1 billion restoration plan.

While federal and state funds would be used, Los Angeles also would have to come up with cash.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that city leaders think they may have identified a funding source.

Under a new state law, local officials can direct more property taxes to public works and other revitalization projects as part of newly created "Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts."

Last week, Los Angeles officials took initial steps toward creating what the newspaper says could be the state's first such district.

The law, which took effect Jan. 1, was passed to replace some of the billions of dollars that cities lost when state leaders eliminated hundreds of redevelopment agencies during the state's fiscal crisis several years ago.

"I've been chomping at the bit for the better part of a decade to identify a permanent source of revenue for improvements along the river," said city Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, who asked for staff to analyze forming the district.

Other districts could be created for rehabilitation projects such as overhauling former military bases, according to Jon E. Goetz, a San Luis Obispo attorney specializing in municipal law. While property taxes could not be diverted from schools, opponents of the districts say they would siphon money from essentials such as policing and road paving.

O'Farrell's office isn't yet sure how much revenue a new district could raise, and has not decided which restoration projects within the master plan could get funding if a district is created.

Last year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed to a $1 billion plan that would transform a section of the river near downtown with new wetlands and bike trails. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has made the river's revitalization a priority, but funding remains an issue.

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