Many minority families lost their homes to make way for an ill-fated extension of the 710 freeway that was never completed.
Caltrans gave 50 acres of land back to the City several years ago and now discussions are underway about not just what to do with the land, but what can be done for the families that lost their homes.
The restorative justice framework aimed at acknowledging and addressing the displacement of people of color, including financial assistance for qualifying displaced residents, potentially including payments of up to $150,000 to help restore lost generational wealth, though eligibility criteria have yet to be defined.
“I’ve received a lot of correspondence on that, and I would like our City Council will take that separately on another date,” said Councilmember Tyron Hampton, who made the motion to separate the items. Councilmember Steve Madison seconded the motion.
The restorative justice framework is a central feature of the 710 Vision Plan, which seeks to reconnect neighborhoods divided by decades-old freeway development while addressing the displacement of primarily communities of color.
Under the framework, the city would pursue policies aimed at acknowledging past harms, promoting equitable development and potentially providing economic benefits to affected residents.
Public speakers urged the council not to separate those measures from the larger redevelopment effort.
Blair Miller, who said he participated in developing elements of the plan, told the council that restorative justice should be foundational to the project.
“The restorative justice element should be considered part of the trunk of the tree … not decorations,” Miller said.
Miller also cautioned against treating the policies as an add-on rather than a core component of redevelopment.
“I am concerned that by pulling them out of this discussion, we treat them as separate from the redevelopment,” he said, adding that the elements should be integrated “from the beginning.”
Despite those appeals, the council moved forward with other elements of the vision plan, including land use, mobility and partnership strategies, while postponing debate on the more complex and potentially costly restorative justice proposals.
City officials indicated the delay would allow for a more detailed review of how the measures could be structured, including questions about oversight, funding mechanisms and long-term commitments.
The vote reflects a broader challenge facing cities across California as they attempt to balance redevelopment goals with efforts to address historic inequities tied to infrastructure projects.
Pasadena’s 710 corridor has long been cited as a case study in displacement and community division, making the outcome of the restorative justice discussion a key component of the project’s future direction.
Pasadena was not alone in seeing swaths of the community destroyed to make way for freeways.
The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 routed some highways directly through Black and Brown communities.
Locally efforts were made to keep freeways away from the Tournament of Roses, Caltech and the Pasadena Playhouse and instead route them through minority communities.
On Nov. 18, 1964, the California Highway Commission determined the final five miles of freeway — now known as the SR 710 — would go through Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno to complete the Long Beach Freeway.
At least 4,000 residents were displaced and 1,500 homes and commercial buildings were demolished.
The council is expected to revisit the restorative justice issue at a later date.
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