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September 24, 2007
Forest City Fresno
The Bee takes a look at the track record of Forest City as the Fresno City Council rolls out the red carpet for the Cleveland developer:
Can Forest City Enterprises deliver for downtown Fresno?
With billions of dollars in assets and a record of urban revitalization projects around the country, the Cleveland-based development company has earned a reputation for success.
But the company also has come under fire for using public subsidies to pay for its projects, as well as for pushing cities to force out existing property owners to make way for its mixed-use urban developments.
The Fresno City Council, which last month approved a preliminary Forest City proposal to build more than 700 homes south of Chukchansi Park, will wrestle with these challenges as it moves forward with the project.
Fresno Bee, Business owners don't want to budge
[Bruce Baskin's] voice and temper rise when he talks about eminent domain and the city's plans to replace Baskin's Auto Supply and other businesses just south of Chukchansi Park with town homes and apartments.
"We don't want to go anywhere," says Baskin, 48.
Baskin's is in the middle of a six-block area that the Fresno Redevelopment Agency has targeted for homes, stores and fountains promised by Cleveland-based developer Forest City Enterprises.
Posted by lumi at September 24, 2007 7:28 AM