The City Council will review and provide direction on the “Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Vision Plan,” a comprehensive framework shaped by years of community input, technical analysis and historical research into the impacts of the unfinished freeway segment.
“The Vision Plan identifies strategies to physically reconnect Pasadena and repair the harm the 710 Stub created by bifurcating the City,” according to a staff report in Monday’s agenda. “The Plan provides general direction and recommendations on how to integrate the stub or ditch into surrounding neighborhoods in a cohesive manner and recommends strategies for long term land-use, mobility, sustainability, and implementation efforts, all while acknowledging the harm that this freeway construction caused Pasadena and its residents.”
The plan focuses on roughly 50 acres of land relinquished by the Caltrans in 2022 and lays out a roadmap for reconnecting neighborhoods that were split apart decades ago.
Additional issues include mobility and traffic circulation changes, housing development goals and major infrastructure planning, as officials weigh next steps for the site’s long-term redevelopment.
The item was last presented to the City Council on March 30 during a workshop where officials reviewed the draft vision plan and began initial discussions on its proposals.
A central component of the plan is a newly developed restorative justice framework, which acknowledges the displacement of primarily African American, Japanese American and Mexican American communities during the construction of the 710 and 210 freeways.
The framework calls for a formal public acknowledgment of those harms and outlines potential programs aimed at rebuilding generational wealth, including homeownership assistance and targeted community investment.
Among the recommendations is a proposal to provide financial assistance to qualifying displaced residents and to prioritize affordable housing as a key outcome of redevelopment. Officials are considering a goal of constructing at least 1,800 residential units in the project area, with a mix of rental and ownership opportunities at varying income levels.
The plan presents two primary development concepts — “Gardens and Terraces” and “Boulevards and Paseos” — each offering different approaches to land use, urban design and transportation.
Both concepts highlight walkability, green space and community-focused design, but the Boulevards and Paseos option is currently viewed as more effective in managing traffic and improving circulation through the area.
Transportation planning is a key element of the proposal, including potential removal or reconfiguration of freeway ramps, the introduction of a large roundabout to slow traffic entering the area and the creation of new local street connections.
The plan also explores the development of a regional transit mobility hub to improve access and reduce reliance on cars.
In addition to mobility improvements, the vision calls for transforming the site into Pasadena’s first carbon-neutral district, incorporating renewable energy systems, district-scale utilities, stormwater capture and climate-resilient design features.
Officials cautioned that significant work remains before construction can begin, including environmental review, zoning changes, financing strategies and the creation of a governance structure to oversee development. Early estimates suggest the project will require substantial public and private investment over a multi-decade timeline.
City leaders are expected to provide direction on next steps, including advancing land use planning, exploring funding mechanisms such as infrastructure financing districts and continuing coordination with regional partners.
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