As City staff prepare recommendations on the long-vacant 710 freeway stub, the president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce is calling on policymakers to embrace an ambitious and creative vision for the corridor, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape Pasadena.
In correspondence submitted to the City Council, Paul Little urged officials to think beyond conventional development and pursue a transformative approach to the site.
“The gaping hole that is the 710 Freeway space in Pasadena presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape our community for generations to come,” Little wrote.
The 710 stub, a partially constructed and never-completed freeway segment, has remained a divisive and highly visible scar through Pasadena for decades.
The City Council reviewed the Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Vision Plan on Monday. Elected officials took no action on the matter, but heard public comment and heard several presentations.
The roughly 50-acre corridor offers tremendous opportunities for the City, including housing, open space, transportation improvements and commercial development.
Little said the site offers the potential to address multiple community needs at once, including housing, job creation and economic growth.
He pointed to the possibility of reconnecting major corridors such as Colorado Boulevard and Green Street, suggesting that thoughtful commercial development could expand the reach and appeal of Old Pasadena.
He also noted that development could generate new revenue streams for the city through private investment, tax revenues and the potential sale of air rights over portions of the corridor.
“There may be opportunities to reconnect Colorado Boulevard and Green Street with commercial development that could grow Old Pasadena’s attraction for visitors,” Little wrote, adding that development costs could largely be borne by private developers.
Beyond economic considerations, Little stressed the importance of design and innovation, calling for high-quality architecture and inclusive housing options across a range of income levels.
“Likewise, housing development can utilize the finest architects and designers to create truly amazing living spaces at all price levels for all income levels,” he wrote.
Little also encouraged the city to prioritize public space that is both functional and visually striking, drawing comparisons to internationally recognized projects such as the High Line in New York City, Chicago’s Cloud Gate sculpture, Park Güell in Barcelona and the Turia Gardens in Valencia.
“It is also a chance to do something creative and extraordinary with public space,” he wrote. “Allow creativity and imagination to drive design of public spaces as both artistic expression and public space.”
Little closed his letter with a call for bold leadership, urging officials to balance practical needs with visionary thinking.
“Reuse of the 710 space can accommodate many uses and needs and be creative, innovative and extraordinary at the same time,” he wrote. “I urge you, whatever uses you decide are appropriate, to also allow for the amazing.”
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