Former Kaiser Permanente Site Declared ‘Surplus Property’

The Pasadena City Council voted to declare a 2.5 acre property purchased last year as ‘surplus property,’ a crucial procedural step in transforming the long-vacant former Kaiser Permanente land into a community asset. This declaration, required under the State Surplus Land Act, allows the City to seek requests for proposals (RFPs) for the site’s development, paving the way for its planned repurposing.

The property at Lake Avenue and Villa Street is slated to become a hub for affordable housing, mental health care, and primary outpatient services. 

In April 2023, the City took formal ownership of the site.

Kaiser Permanente vacated the property more than 10 years ago and it has sat empty ever since.

“Staff has evaluated the property for its potential for City use and determined that the property is not necessary for the City’s use,” according to a City staff report.

The surplus is part of the process that will allow the City to seek requests for proposals (RFPs) on the property.

“It’s just to take the initial step,” said City Manager Miguel Márquez at Monday’s meeting.

Fencing has been placed around the facilities, but several holes have been cut in the fence. Marquez said he will make sure the fencing is repaired and the property maintained.  

In November the City said the property will be transformed into a community services site and housing that offers affordable housing, mental health care services, and primary outpatient services. 

The project was initiated in response to a motion introduced by Barger in March to bring the services to the north Pasadena region, which was identified as a high-priority area by the County Department of Health Services.

“This project, in partnership with Los Angeles County, is an opportunity to bring much-needed health care and mental health care services to our residents at one location, said Mayor Victor Gordo in April as he reiterated his vision for the future of the property to provide affordable housing and health care services within a community-focused mixed-use Transit Oriented Development. 

“It also is an opportunity to develop quality affordable housing and improve the overall economic vitality of this part of our City. Now that the City has taken ownership of the property, the hard work of developing the site begins. Knowing that LA County is in true partnership with us to address critical community needs and improve the quality of life for our residents makes all the difference. This type of partnership is precisely how government at all levels should work.” 

In April, Gordo and Barger announced a new partnership that will acquire a Kaiser Permanente building that has stood empty in north Pasadena and transform it into a housing and community services site.  

On April 23, 2023, the City Council authorized the purchase of the property, The Property is improved with three existing buildings that were previously utilized by Kaiser for outpatient and administrative services but have been vacant for the past 11 years. 

Municipal rules permit the site to be developed with housing, community serving retail uses as well out outpatient health services. 

Last year, Mayor Victor Gordo and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced a new partnership to acquire the building and transform it into a housing and community services site.

At that point it was announced that the property would be transformed into a community services site that offers affordable housing, mental health care services, and primary outpatient services.

The project was initiated in response to a motion introduced by Barger in March to bring the services to the north Pasadena region, which the County Department of Health Services identified as a high-priority area.