City Council Approves Sale of Armory Center for the Arts Property

As part of Monday’s consent calendar, the City Council adopted a resolution of the Successor Agency of the Pasadena Community Development Commission approving the sale of the property housing the Armory Center for the Arts.

The building will be bought by the nonprofit  Armory Center, one of the most active arts-influential education and cultural organizations in Pasadena.

“Over 30 years now of service in our community bringing service to kids in Northwest Pasadena is important and these are cultural arts services kids may not otherwise receive,” said Mayor Victor Gordo.

The resolution authorizes the sale of the property at 145 N. Raymond Ave., which has been home to the Armory since it signed a lease with the former Pasadena Community Development Commission in 1987. The lease was renewed in 2001 and is set to continue until 2031. 

The City became the Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community Development Commission in 2012, and inherited the properties owned by the former commission, including the Armory site.

On June 10, the property was declared Surplus Land under the Surplus Land Act, initiating a 60-day period for interested parties to submit offers. No offers were received by the Aug. 13 deadline.

The Successor Agency engaged Norris Realty Advisors, which appraised the property at a fair market value of $2.6 million as of May 21, 2024.

On Aug. 19, the Armory submitted a letter of interest to purchase the property.

The next steps include obtaining a letter of conformance from the State’s Housing and Community Development Department and securing approval from the Fifth Supervisorial District Los Angeles County Consolidated Oversight Board. The Successor Agency plans to seek the Board’s approval at a future meeting.

Adopting the resolution aligns with the City Council’s goals of fiscal responsibility, stability, and support for the local economy and quality of life.