From: Omar Lopez
To: Banuelos, Caroline; MacDonald, Dianna; Alvarez, Eddie; Okrepkie, Jeff; Stapp, Mark; Rogers, Natalie; Fleming, Victoria
Cc: City Council Public Comments; Osburn, Gabe
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment in Support of Item 16.4 Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 5:49:28 PM
Attachments: 2025_0603_Santa Rosa CC_Item 16.4.pdf
HousingActionPlan_logo.png
Good evening Council,
Attached below is public comment on Item 16.4, in support of the Infrastructure Plan submitted to council. Apologies for a late email, but was unable to stay to provide in person comment this evening.
All the best,
_____
Omar Lopez | Senior Program Associate
He/Him/His/El
Generation Housing
(707)267-3928 | 427 Mendocino Ave, Suite 100 | Santa Rosa, CA 95401
June 3, 2025 Santa Rosa City Council Santa Rosa City Hall 100 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa RE: Item 16.4: Public Hearing Adoption of Infrastructure Financing Plan - Downtown
Enhanced
Infrastructure
Financing
District
Dear Mayor Stapp, Vice Mayor Alvarez, Councilmembers, and Staff, Generation Housing would like to express our support for the formation of the Downtown
Enhanced
Infrastructure
Financing
District
and
the
adoption
of
the
accompanying
Infrastructure
Financing
Plan.
The EIFD represents a forward-thinking and fiscally responsible approach to funding
public
infrastructure
in
a
way
that
supports
long-term
community
and
economic
development,
without
imposing
new
taxes.
By
dedicating
a
portion
of
future
property
tax
revenue
from
both
the
City
and
County,
the
EIFD
will
enable
strategic
investments
that
catalyze
private
development
and
provide
lasting
benefits
to
the
Santa
Rosa
community.
We are especially encouraged by the plan’s emphasis on placemaking and public realm
improvements
that
enhance
connectivity
between
Downtown
and
Railroad
Square,
improve
accessibility,
and
make
better
use
of
public
space.
These
improvements,
combined
with
the
ability
to
support
affordable
housing
and
future
catalytic
projects,
will
help
create
a
more
vibrant,
inclusive
downtown.
Importantly, the plan includes thoughtful fiscal safeguards and a clear governance
structure.
The
phased
approach
to
project
funding,
restrictions
on
bonding
in
the
first
ten
years,
and
required
coordination
among
the
City,
County,
and
Public
Financing
Authority
reflect
a
commitment
to
accountability
and
alignment
with
broader
public
benefit.
We commend the efforts of City staff, County partners, and the Public Financing Authority
in
developing
a
plan
that
advances
local
priorities
while
maintaining
fiscal
discipline.
Generation
Housing
supports
the
adoption
of
the
Infrastructure
Financing
Plan
and
the
formation
of
the
EIFD
as
a
key
step
toward
a
more
connected,
equitable,
and
thriving
Santa
Rosa.
In partnership, Omar Lopez Senior Program Associate, Generation Housing