State Transportation Chief Said to Be Impressed by Work Done on Pasadena’s 710 Vision Plan

California’s top transportation official has pledged continued support for Pasadena’s ambitious plan to transform the 710 freeway stub.

California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin met with city and regional leaders on Nov. 6 at the Southern California Association of Governments headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. He received a briefing on the Reconnecting Communities 710 project.

“Secretary Omishakin was impressed with the work to date,” according to a city status update.

The meeting included Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Councilmember Steve Madison, City Manager Miguel Márquez and SCAG Director Kome Ajise. Caltrans District 7 Deputy District Director Marlon Regisford also attended.

Full details of the meeting will be discussed at a meeting Wednesday of the Reconnecting Communities SR710 Advisory Group.

The high-level attention comes as the project enters a critical phase. City staff provided the City Council its third annual update on the vision plan Oct. 20. The presentation covered work from the past year and sought direction on land use, mobility, sustainability and implementation.

The Planning Commission received its own update Nov. 12. Commissioners discussed the project eventually transitioning to the Planning Department after City Council approval.

The vision plan aims to heal neighborhoods fractured by decades-old freeway construction. A special walking tour Oct. 18 highlighted that history. The Walktober event, titled “Stories of Displacement: The 710 Stub,” led participants through areas where communities of color once lived.

These communities were displaced by SR-710 construction or other development projects. The tour started at Parsons on Holly Street and wound south along the stub to Friendship Pasadena Church and Central Park.

Multiple standing committees continue refining elements of the plan. The Restorative Justice Standing Committee has proposed 10 elements for consideration. The Advisory Group has held special meetings to review them.

City staff are also exploring funding mechanisms. They met with consultant Kosmont in October to discuss infrastructure financing tools. A November meeting with Sunstone Cities examined public-private partnership opportunities.

The Advisory Group meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers.