Bisno Development damage control
About a month or so ago, I began receiving what have now become a string of frequent e-mails from Bisno Development Co. The firm is pushing a 125-acre renovation of Baldwin Park’s downtown area, with a proposed charter school, hotel, luxury condos and high-end retailers. The project has been met with HEAVY opposition from a core group of residents and business owners who say the city is trying to “push out the poor and bring in the rich.” They also claim the city has not been very open in terms of disseminating information to them about the project.
Looks like Bisno has caught on to this opposition, and is working their PR arm hard to garner support for the project.
Here’s an example of an e-mail I received Friday:
Baldwin Park residents balk misleading demonstrators efforts, support much needed revitalization project
Tens of hundreds of residents have pledged support for the Downtown Revitalization Project, still outreach to the Baldwin Park families and residents continues.
(BALDWIN PARK- CA) Baldwin Park, like many cities statewide, wants to secure resources to supplement and sustain basic public services for its residents such as police, fire, as well as youth and senior citizen services. After years of public outcry, for a deteriorating downtown, Baldwin Park families share their vision and concerns regarding the redevelopment project that aims to revive the blighted downtown area.
For the approximate 80,000 residents of Baldwin Park the project comes at a time of crucial need for improvement. This project expands through 125 acres (that comprises 2.9 percent of Baldwin Park) in the downtown area which is currently riddled with crime.
“Crime in the downtown area of my city continues to grow. I know change may be hard, but for the safety of my kids and my family is most important to me, that’s why it is crucial that we support improvements in Baldwin Park.”
"I am tired of giving my money to all the cities around us.” said Tony Mena, resident and business owner of Baldwin Park.
Two years ago, after a very selective bid process, City leaders and staff selected Bisno Development Company (BDC) to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) to propose the design and development of the designated downtown redevelopment zone. The ENA requires that BDC develops an EIR and submits a design for the project which will require approval from the City of Baldwin Park and various local agencies. Upon completion and approval of these requirements, the city will consider entering into a Development and Disposition Agreement with BDC.
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Builders of Baldwin Park
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Currently special interests group outside of the area continue to misrepresent facts. Community members have noticed that residents from outside Baldwin Park, gather regularly to instigate an opposition for the project. Despite this intrusion, Baldwin Park Residents are getting informed and overwhelmingly support the project," said Jennifer Rodriguez Community Relations Director for Bisno Development Company, "We want to maintain dialogue to find solutions towards building a safe revitalized Baldwin Park."
While City Officials and Bisno Development are still in negotiation, the City assures residents that their ultimate goal is to look out for Baldwin Park's future by bringing necessary and much needed revenues to the city.
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