City Secures $2 Million Federal Grant for 710 Freeway Community Reconnection Project

Pasadena is set to receive a $2 million federal grant to plan the reconnection of communities separated by past transportation projects. The City Council will consider authorizing an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration for the Reconnecting Communities Planning grant for the 710 Master Plan and Specific Plan process.

The grant was awarded under the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot program. It requires a $2 million local match from the City. 

It will fund the development of a master plan for the SR-710 Northern Stub area, relinquished to Pasadena by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in August 2022.

On Monday, Aug. 26, the City Manager will present the recommendation to the City Council through the Finance Committee. 

The proposal includes amending the City Manager’s Office Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget to appropriate the grant funds and matching contribution.

The master plan process, expected to take approximately two years, will be followed by an additional year for specific plan development. 

Perkins Eastman, a firm with 40 years of experience in large-scale urban planning, was awarded the contract to lead the initiative in February 2023.

The project aims to address the historic division caused by transportation infrastructure, aligning with the federal program’s goal of restoring community connectivity. The plan will focus on seven key areas, including community engagement, restorative justice, economic study, mobility analysis, and climate-resilient infrastructure development.

Pasadena officials view the project as consistent with the City’s General Plan, specifically Guiding Principle 2 and Goal 8, which focus on preserving historic resources and enhancing public facilities. The initiative is expected to contribute to the City’s unique character and promote social, ecological, and economic vitality.

The grant agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office to ensure compliance with all program requirements. The City Manager or his designee is authorized to execute any subsequent agreements regarding this grant award.

Funding for the project will come from the $2 million federal grant and a $2 million local match, drawn from the remaining $5 million payment made to the City as part of the SR 710 Corridor relinquishment.