Jim Kennedy, who until March was the head of the Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency, has been appointed the interim executive director of the California Redevelopment Association, a group dedicated to promoting redevelopment in the state.
Kennedy, a Martinez resident and the husband of Martinez City Councilwoman Janet Kennedy, said he will serve as the agency’s executive director while it wages its court fight against the state’s recent move to disband redevelopment agencies, or have them pay a large portion of their revenue to continue operating.
“I accepted the to help the organization bridge the time between now and the Supreme Court's determination on the lawsuit challenging the state take of redevelopment revenues,” Kennedy said. “Until the outcome of the lawsuit has been determined, the shape of redevelopment statewide will be somewhat fluid, and therefore not optimal for recruitment of the next CRA Executive Director. Once the shape of redevelopment in California is known, CRA can formally pursue the recruitment process.”
He said he will help manage the CRA lawsuit, which is expected to be decided by the state Supreme Court in January. He will also maintain training and education programs, and work toward recruitment of a permanent director.
“Redevelopment is a valuable tool for California communities to retain,” Kennedy said. “Achieving the important goals of job creation, affordable housing, infill and transit-oriented development, brownfield remediation and reuse, and economic development requires a pro-active presence on the part of local government. CRA looks forward to being an important element shaping the future of California communities.”
