City to Host Screening of Oral History Documentary About SR-710 Freeway Impact

The City of Pasadena will premiere “Amplify,” a 38-minute oral history documentary featuring stories from community members displaced decades ago by the SR-710 Freeway construction. The screening is part of the 2nd Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Master Plan Community Engagement Workshop this Saturday, April 12.

“This documentary was created as a lasting historical archive, ensuring future generations remember and learn from this critical chapter in Pasadena’s history,” City officials said on a statement.

The film highlights firsthand accounts from individuals and families affected by the freeway construction, serving as “a tribute to resilience, memory, and the importance of community-centered storytelling.”

Produced by M.D. Productions and Allegra Consulting in collaboration with the City of Pasadena, “Amplify” intends to preserve and highlight these important community stories.

The first screening begins at 10:15 a.m. in Room 101 of the Pasadena Convention Center, located at 300 E. Green St. The documentary will re-loop throughout the workshop, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free parking with validation will be provided at the event.

The City’s statement said the screening is an integral component of the Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Master Plan Project, a two-year initiative to reimagine the area’s future “after decades of disruption caused by the construction of the SR-710 Freeway.”

The broader project includes documenting oral histories, engaging the public at community engagement workshops, and inclusive planning efforts.

The oral history project specifically “aims to uplift the voices of those most affected” the SR-710 Freeway construction.