Report: 23 shopping centers blighted

The City Council will consider upgrading nearly two dozen of Huntington Beach’s most blighted shopping centers, as the result of a Monday study session.

The move came after the council received the results of a newly completed study by GRC Associates, which found that out of 86 shopping centers it investigated, 23 exhibited elements of physical and/or economic blight.

A building is considered to have physical blight if it’s graffiti-ridden, unsafe, vulnerable in earthquakes or poorly constructed, or it has multiple small or irregularly shaped parcels, and inadequate sewer or water facilities.

Economic blight may come from declining property values, high vacancies, low lease rates, high crime, or an “excess” of bars, liquor stores or adult-themed businesses, according to the study.

Since beginning the feasibility study in May, the assessment team concluded that three centers had dilapidated or deteriorated buildings; five had inadequate water or sewer facilities.

Sixteen were within earthquake liquefaction areas, yet were not seismically retrofitted; nine had hazardous leaks from underground storage tanks; nine had slow or declining sales revenues; three had low lease rates; and 53 were in relatively high-crime areas.

The next steps will be to identify redevelopment projects, programs and other activities to eradicate blight.

The process, which would include community workshops, a public hearing and environmental reviews, would take one to two years, the study indicated.

Benefits of revitalization would include the potential for an improved economy, attracting new businesses and promoting local jobs, the study indicated.

Reporter CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at candice.baker@latimes.com.