The redevelopment district consists of 100 acres straddling the two communities.

It's focus was to designate redevelopment districts, where financial incentives were offered for construction, rehabilitation, and relocation.

EPA assistance will provide guidance on green infrastructure and green design techniques for several properties in the redevelopment district.

"Both are anchors for the southern end of the redevelopment district," Mr. Turner said.

For the last 45 years, Roxy Gokberk has lived in her turn-of-the-century home two blocks from the ocean, in the redevelopment district.

The 1972 proposal for the shopping center and a redevelopment district arose out of plans to "refurbish San Diego's historic town plaza", Horton Plaza.

The nearby redevelopment district, part of Long Branch's five miles of shoreline, has been designated with the aim of injecting new economic life into the city.

The city next month will also begin accepting proposals from developers for the 30-acre Beachfront South area of the redevelopment district, which could accommodate additional residential development.

Under a clever financing maneuver, San Jose merged 10 redevelopment districts scattered throughout its 174 square miles.

But none moved forward, leaving the redevelopment district mostly desolate and the plan untested.