Pasadena Unified Moves Toward Redevelopment of Vacant Linda Vista School Site

The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education signalled Thursday it supports exploring redevelopment options for the long-vacant Linda Vista Elementary School site, directing staff to draft a resolution that would allow the district to seek proposals from developers under a joint occupancy agreement.

Five of seven board members supported the move during a special meeting, authorizing Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco to prepare a resolution for the Aug. 28 board meeting.

If approved, the resolution would initiate a request-for-proposals process for potential long-term leases or development partnerships. The district also intends to consult with the City of Pasadena about possible zoning or entitlement changes before any specific plans are advanced.

“This property is sitting vacant, it’s not needed for swing space, and it’s an opportunity to generate general fund revenue without using bond money,” said Chief Facilities Officer Nelson Bravo Karimi. “Under joint occupancy, the district retains ownership while allowing a partner to develop part of the site, and the revenue can be used for educational programs.”

The board’s decision followed a presentation on legal frameworks for surplus property and joint occupancy, as well as a public comment period dominated by Linda Vista residents. Eric Kern, president of the Linda Vista Annandale Association, said a recent town hall drew about 120 residents and a follow-up survey generated 230 responses. Suggestions for the campus included preserving or expanding the existing park, building teacher housing, establishing a senior care facility, creating an art colony near ArtCenter College of Design, opening a small community market, and providing a permanent home for the neighborhood children’s center.

Residents also called for an environmental study to assess asbestos or mold in the shuttered school buildings and raised concerns about building height, open space, parking, and overlooking the use of local contractors.

Several board members appeared to welcome the chance to begin formal talks, noting the site has been unused for years.

Trustee Michelle Bailey Richardson said the plan would not compete with other campus projects because it would not rely on bond funds. Trustee Kim Kenny emphasized the site’s limited potential for other district uses, while Trustee Tina Fredericks said she would support the step if future site evaluations were sequenced to maintain long-term planning.

Trustee Yarma Velásquez opposed the move, citing the lack of a comparative analysis of all district properties.

“I have no information to determine whether or not we should prioritize Linda Vista because it’s going to give us the most amount of revenue,” she said.

If the Aug. 28 resolution is presented and approved, the district would likely hire a real estate professional to market the site and issue a formal RFP. Proposals would be reviewed publicly, with interviews of top candidates. Any selected developer would enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement to conduct due diligence and navigate the city’s entitlement process.

The district and the City of Pasadena currently share a 50-year joint use agreement for the site’s park, which either party can terminate with 90 days’ notice.

Superintendent Blanco emphasized that community engagement would occur in parallel with any development talks.

“This is not a commitment to a developer,” she said. “It’s the start of a long process that will involve the community every step of the way.”