Last March I wrote about a new apartment project planned for the corner of Newport Rd and Winterhawk (on the other side of Newport from the Mobil station) dubbed, "Vineyards at Menifee".

The Desert Sun reports today that the Riverside County Board of Supervisors is expected to release an additional $750,000 in funds to help build this thing...

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors is expected today to approve the findings of an environmental impact report on a proposed senior living complex in Menifee and authorize the release of $750,000 in funds to support the project.

http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880617001

The County already has earmarked $2 million from its redevelopment fund. The $750,000 we're talking about here comes from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

Vineyards at Menifee is a 55+ complex, and about 39 of the 80 total units will be reserved for low-income renters. There will also be 15 units reserved for homeless, and mentally-disabled persons under assistance from the county's Department of Mental Health.

You can read more about these 15 "mental health" units from a PDF document published by the county...

http://mentalhealth.co.riverside.ca.us/....Vineyards_at_Menifee_5-16-08.pdf

Labels: Redevelopment, Vineyards-at-Menifee

The County Board of Supervisors agreed to a plan today to use $2 million of funds from the Redevelopment Agency to help finance a complex of low-income apartments for seniors located in Menifee.

Dubbed, "The Vineyards at Menifee", it sits on the north-east corner of Newport Rd and Winter Hawk Rd. That would place it next to the Good Shepherd Lutheran School, and across Newport from the Mobil Gas Station.

Here's a description of the project according to the report from the County Clerk...

The Project will consist of 64 one-bedroom units, 16 two-bedroom units, and one on-site manager's unit. The one-bedroom units are approximately 561 square feet and the two-bedroom units are approximately 781 square feet. All units will be equipped with full kitchens, including refrigerator, dishwasher, combination range/oven, microwave, garbage disposal, and central heating/cooling. Each unit will also include a balcony or patio. Elevators will be provided to the second floor of all the buildings. The residents will have access to a 5,000 square foot community building that will include a community meeting room, kitchen, laundry room, and manager's office. Additional on-site amenities include a pool, putting green, and leisure areas for the seniors to use.

A total of thirty nine (39) units ("Assisted Units") will be reserved for low-income senior households whose incomes do not exceed sixty percent (60%) area median income for the County, adjusted by family size at the time of occupancy. The period of affordability will be for 55 years from the certificate of occupancy.

The report goes on to say that if residents of Menifee vote to approve cityhood, then this $2 million offer from the county's pocket becomes null and void. In that case, the company developing this project, Palm Desert Development Company, will have to either pay for it itself, or find a way to get the new city to pay for it.

Palm Desert Development Company specializes in developing low-income apartment projects, and have developed many others in Hemet, San Jacinto, Moreno Valley, and Rubidoux.

Labels: Redevelopment

I'm always curious to see what's happening around town with regards to redevelopment and improvements. The civil engineering firm that I work for (headquartered in Escondido) is currently undergoing an expansion to the Inland Empire. On Sept. 6th we are opening our second office off of Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Murrieta. One thing that I've noticed on my numerous trips to the new location is how exceptional Murrieta is in posting signs that let the community know just what improvement is happening and when it's expected to be finished. This is a great opportunity for passers-by to see how their tax dollars are being used.

Is there a place where we can find out what development and improvement projects are currently under way in Menifee/Sun City?

Labels: Commercial-Developments, Housing-Developments, Redevelopment

The Riverside County Economic Development Agency is looking into ways to fund improvements in the Sun City/Quail Valley Community. One solution could be the adoption of a redevelopment plan, which would create a flexible source of revenue without raising taxes.

Redevelopment is one of the most effective ways to breathe new life into existing communities which are in need of social, physical, environmental or economic assistance and are lacking new investment and private enterprise. Over time, communities without the infusion of these resources may become "blighted". For example, key businesses and jobs move out of the area, residential neighborhoods show signs of age, or social amenities close down along main streets.

We need your input and want to hear from you regarding projects or areas that you could be covered under the redevelopment.

Please take a minute to review the areas of redevelopment and rank them in importance to you. If there is something that is not listed, please provide the information under "other". Rank as least important: 1 to Most Important: 5.
If Sun City were to become a part of the redevelopment plans, we would like to the focus to be on:

1. Attracting new jobs and businesses _______
2. Create more affordable housing _______
3. Stimulate private reinvestment in local neighborhoods and businesses_____
4. Reduce crime _____
5. Stimulate development of downtown improvement programs _____
6. Stimulate private investment and help rehabilitate homes and businesses ____
7. Build or improve roads, utilities and public facilities ______
8. Preserve open space______
9. Transform hazardous waste sites (called brownfields) into productive uses ____
10. Create, adopt and/or implement specific plans ______
11. Initiate and fund comprehensive planning efforts ______

Other:_____________________________________


Please e-mail this to info@menifeesuncitychamber.com or fax back to 951-723-8513. Many thanks for weighing in your opinion! The chamber promises to get this information into the hands of the right people who will make the difference in Menifee Valley.

Labels: Quail-Valley, Redevelopment, Sun-City