"I always envisioned RDAs as urban crack houses, areas that are obviously blighted," she said. "That's not how I see Sandy Mall. That's not how I see viable businesses that are working."

With the gravel pit development looming, Long said the only way for Sandy Corners to compete is to maintain its unique shops and community atmosphere.

"It's not like they build a Super Wal-Mart and we suddenly have double the disposable income," she said. "I don't think it will be an immediate death; it will be a slow death."

Sant, however, points out that the city has not yet determined what will be done at the Corners and that the plan is ultimately up to the property owners. If an RDA is approved, those owners will also be the ones to decide how the money is spent.

Residents like Robyn Bagley, however, think the city should not be using public funds at all to beef up retail in the city. An RDA diverts property taxes from new projects like the Boyer plan back into more development in the area. In the process, school districts that normally get about 50 percent of those property taxes are cut out of the equation.

"If they feel that area is in need of a boost, the owner of the property should be doing that," Bagley said. "'Cities think this is their tool to do whatever they want. Does it look brand new? No. But is it dilapidated and dangerous? Absolutely not."

To fight the Sandy RDA, Bagley has formed a group to rally for RDA reform and to support a bill by Sen. Curtis Bramble that would prohibit RDAs from being used for retail or recreation development.

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E-mail: estewart@desnews.com