City Officials to Explore North Lake Avenue Revival

At Tuesday’s Economic Development and Technology Committee meeting, officials committed to examining revitalization strategies for North Lake Avenue in early 2025.

The discussion emerged during a review of items for future agendas. Councilmembers focused on the stark contrasts between North Lake Avenue and the city’s various other commercial corridors.

“What can we do to support our current businesses there? How can we attract more businesses?” said Councilmember Jessica Rivas.

“We’ve got a lot of vacant properties, big lots, the Roscoe’s [Editor — Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles was shuttered in June], of course, Kaiser [Kaiser Permanente’s former facility on N. Lake at Villa has now been closed for 10 years]… It’s also been an area particularly hit hard by or dealing with, rather, I should say, with unhoused folks being around and looking for shelter in different places.”

“We’ve got a lot of vacant properties, big lots, the Roscoe’s, of course, Kaiser … It’s also been an area particularly hit hard by or dealing with, rather, I should say, with unhoused folks being around and looking for shelter in different places.”

 [Editor — Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles was shuttered in June. Kaiser Permanente’s former facility on N. Lake at Villa St. has now been closed for 10 years]

While a traditional Business Improvement District has been explored previously for North Lake Avenue, Economic Development Director David Klug noted past attempts have failed.

“We tried it several years ago to have a bid, and the merchants typically are in favor of it, but the property owners are not,” Klug explained, suggesting the city might “explore some other alternative, maybe a business-based improvement district rather than a property owner business improvement district.”

The concerns about North Lake Avenue come as South Lake Avenue shows signs of revitalization, benefiting from recent Metro-funded pedestrian improvements, newly replanted medians, and the impending arrival of Wedbush Securities (which announced plans last month to move from Los Angeles to Pasadena during the first half of 2025).

Meanwhile, some new businesses have chosen to open elsewhere in the city, including La Michoacana De Dena at 1373 N Lake Ave., A Little Tea at 1671 E. Colorado Blvd., and Ono Hawaiian BBQ at 230 S. Lake Ave.

Vice Mayor Steve Madison addressed what he descrobed as a broader need for business development north of the freeway.

“Whether or not it’s North Lake, I would love to see to put some thought into where we could focus on business in the north part of the city,” Madison said. “The other place that maybe is a logical choice is [the Lincoln Ave. corridor]  because that specific plan is ripe for development.”

In a related discussion about the City launch of a small business shop local campaign on November 30 (Small Business Saturday), featuring 26 businesses citywide, Hampton specifically requested information about how many North Lake area businesses were included in the campaign, which will offer free Canvas tote bags at participating locations.

The Economic Development Division, which tracks business outreach through use of the Bludot Business Retention and Expansion platform, has indicated it plans to bring back specific proposals for North Lake Avenue development in early 2025.