At an open forum tomorrow, San Diego residents will have their first chance to speak out on how the city’s redevelopment process should be changed.

The “People First” forum is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the War Memorial Building on Park Blvd. just north of the zoo, with a light dinner available from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

State Senator Christine Kehoe will speak about her proposed redevelopment reform legislation. Other speakers will give brief presentations on the intent of redevelopment under state law and what it can do for communities. Forum participants will be able to ask questions and discuss the issues in small groups.

At least 150 people are expected to attend.

The forum is intended to help San Diego residents understand proposed redevelopment changes and to give everyone an opportunity to voice their priorities for reform. It is sponsored by the Center on Policy Initiatives, the League of Women Voters, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C3) and the MAAC Project, with support from a number of other local organizations.

Unlike other California cities, San Diego has two private, nonprofit redevelopment corporations responsible for specific areas — the Southeastern Economic Development Corp. (SEDC) and the Centre City Development Corp. (CCDC) — in addition to a cityrun redevelopment division. The redevelopment process provides taxpayer-funded subsidies for improvements to physically and economically blighted areas.

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