Pasadena’s Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group to Receive Project Status Update

The SR-710 Reconnecting Communities Advisory Group in Pasadena is set to receive a project status update at its regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The meeting will focus on developments that occurred between September 19 and October 15, 2024.

A preliminary memorandum prepared by Assistant City Manager Brenda Harvey-Williams details the progress made on various aspects of the Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Master Plan. This marks the beginning of monthly Project Status memorandums.

The project planning, which aims to revitalize the area affected by the former SR-710 freeway stub, has seen significant activity across multiple workstreams.

Among key developments mentioned in the memorandum include the review of land use and circulation concepts by the City Council 710 Ad Hoc Committee. The committee, comprising Mayor Gordo, Vice Mayor Madison, and Councilmembers Hampton and Lyon, received presentations on existing conditions and options for future development on Sept. 26.

A subsequent meeting on Sept. 30 included an Oral History video presentation and review of Restorative Justice working definition, elements, and case studies.

The Internal City 710 Executive Team Committee held its monthly meeting to discuss various land use and circulation concepts. Attendees included City Manager Miguel Márquez and representatives from several city departments, along with consultants from PointC and Perkins Eastman.

Monthly meetings with the 710 Advisory Group Chair and Vice-Chair were held to plan the agenda topics for Wednesday’s meeting and to provide project updates. A town Hall meeting was held in District 5 at Councilmember Jess Rivas’s request, where Advisory Group members provided an update on the project to District residents.

Community engagement efforts have ramped up, with community-based organizations selected to inform and engage local groups about the master plan. A pop-up booth was also present at the Latino Heritage Festival on October 5 to raise awareness about the project. A second community engagement workshop is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 25, 2025.

The project team has made strides in mobility and circulation planning, holding meetings with Caltrans and city staff to coordinate master plan work with local and regional transportation opportunities, the memorandum said. These discussions aim to integrate the 710 Stub study area into the broader transportation network.

Economic studies are underway, with consultants reviewing stakeholder interview findings and market opportunity analyses. The memorandum said this work will help shape the economic development strategies for the reconnected communities.

Sustainability and climate resiliency have also been focal points, with the Caltrans Stormwater and Sustainability Working Group meeting to identify solutions for the study area. These efforts align with broader environmental goals for the project.

The Restorative Justice component of the plan has seen progress, with a working definition approved by the City Council Ad Hoc Committee. This definition will be introduced at the upcoming Advisory Group meeting.

Funding for the project received a boost from a $2 million federal Reconnecting Communities Planning Grant. City staff attended a virtual meeting to learn about grant compliance and reporting requirements, with the first quarterly report due in late October.

Preliminary development of land use scenarios, circulation, and open space configurations is underway, according to the memorandum, to be further refined and tentatively presented to the RC 710 Advisory Group in January 2025.

The Oral History Project consultant, Allegra Consulting, also provided an update of their scope of work at the Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group meeting, the memorandum added.

Other ongoing work streams include Data Collection, Site analysis, ESRI/GIS, 3D Model + Survey, though no specific updates were provided for these areas. Weekly check-ins are being held with consultants for the Historic Project.

The Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Master Plan represents a significant effort to heal the urban fabric disrupted by the former freeway project. With multiple work streams progressing simultaneously, the city aims to create a comprehensive vision for the area’s future.

Wednesday’s meeting of the Advisory Group begins at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall. It is open to the public.