Jon Kyl: “today: I am pleased to join with Senator McCain to introduce the City of Yuma Improvement Act of 2005. This bill…”

“today: I am pleased to join with Senator McCain to introduce the City of Yuma Improvement Act of 2005. This bill authorizes the conveyance to the city of Yuma of six small parcels of Federal land currently held by the Bureau of Reclamation in exchange for three railroad parcels owned by the city on which the Bureau of Reclamation rail line exists. A companion bill has already been introduced in the House by Congressmen Grijalva and Franks. These land conveyances will enable the city to complete the redevelopment of the riverfront in downtown Yuma. The Riverfront Master Redevelopment Plan was approved by the City Council in November, 2001. The plan was developed through a joint planning process with the city and the developer. The city's responsibility is to amass the property along the riverfront. The developer must raise the needed capital. The redevelopment includes the development of a welcome center, a new hotel, a conference center, and mixed-use retail stores. This redevelopment is designed to connect Main Street with the Heritage Area and the river to enhance the quality of life of Yuma's citizens and one of the primary economic assets of the area--tourism. Most of the land in this 22 acre area is already city-owned. However, the Bureau of Reclamation does own several parcels within the redevelopment area that the city seeks to acquire.…”