AGENCY GETTING BETTER CRA FOLLOWS AUDIT TO IMPROVE.

Byline: Rick Orlov  Staff Writer

While cautious in her praise, Controller Laura Chick told two city panels on Wednesday that the Community Redevelopment Agency has responded positively to a series of critical audits of how the agency operates.

``Instead of fighting us, they have taken our recommendations seriously and are taking steps to make changes,'' Chick told members of the City Council's Housing, Community and Economic Development Committee and the Audits and Governmental Efficiency Committee.

``They have looked at these audits as an opportunity for improvements.''

At the same time, Chick said she plans to review progress in the agency this coming fall.

``It's not that I don't trust them, I just feel these things are too important to take a chance they will be delayed,'' Chick said.

CRA officials said they have taken an aggressive approach in creating special committees to break down the problems pointed out by Chick and ensure the best practices are implemented.

Chick had been particularly critical of how the CRA tracked its loans.

``I realize that these loans are given to high-risk businesses in high-risk areas,'' Chick said. ``But that's no reason for us not to have good systems in place to make sure we are doing all we should.''

Other areas she criticized were in the tracking of its real estate and how well it had fulfilled its goal of developing affordable housing.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com