Commissioner: ‘Time Has Come to Commit Funds North of 210’

Ahead of Wednesday’s study session on the North Lake Specific Plan, one commissioner said that the time has come for Pasadena to commit public funds north of the 210 Freeway to transform North Lake Avenue into an economic generator that reduces climate change, as a model effort for how City departments can work together to build a “Great Street.”

The Planning Commission will conduct a study session on a plan that establishes a bold new vision for North Lake Avenue. The plan aims to transform the bustling street into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly corridor that better reflects the City’s neighborhoods with sweeping changes to the area’s infrastructure, focusing on enhancing walkability, supporting local businesses, and improving environmental sustainability.

“We have rolled up our sleeves in the past to turn around Old Pasadena, the Playhouse District, and South Lake Avenue,” Commissioner Julianna Delgado told Pasadena Now on Tuesday. “In light of fruitless past planning efforts, it’s now time to look northward and ensure North Lake Avenue—the public realm that is the heart, soul, and spine of the Specific Plan area—becomes a walkable, socially and environmentally sustainable environment, a welcoming gathering place on the rise that knits together and lives up to the standards of the beautiful historic neighborhoods that surround it.”

The City previously adopted plans in 1997 and 2007 to revitalize the area, but the efforts were unsuccessful. In 2018, work began on the current plan.

The plan calls for the creation of a “complete street” that accommodates multiple modes of transportation, from transit and biking to walking. The updated design will also embrace “green street” principles, which aim to mitigate stormwater runoff and reduce the urban heat-island effect by increasing tree canopy and using water-conserving landscaping.

The plan would lead to safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining efficient access for drivers. Public art would be woven into the streetscape, including murals and sculptures that celebrate Pasadena’s history and cultural diversity. Significant environmental upgrades, including the use of permeable paving, bioswales, and drought-tolerant plants, are also part of the plan.

The plan also calls for community engagement and collaboration with local stakeholders.

North Lake Avenue, which runs through the northern half of Pasadena, is often criticized for its autocentric design. Unlike the more pedestrian-friendly South Lake Avenue, which has successfully attracted retail and commercial development, North Lake Avenue suffers from excessive space allocated to cars, making it less inviting for pedestrians and cyclists.