Politics & Government
Candidate Q&A: Downtown Revitalization
A conversation with the City Council candidates. Today: Downtown redevelopment.
In weeks leading up to the , Patch is asking our nine City Council candidates a series of questions significant to the community.
Today's question: Where do you stand on the downtown revitalization project? Some residents any new residential uses and any new underground parking structures. Do you think South Pas will benefit from these types of development projects?
Chris Glaeser
Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The citizens of South Pasadena voted and approved the downtown revitalization project. Upon election to City Council, I will ensure that this project moves forward to completion per the plans that have been outlined. South Pasadena will benefit from this project, but we must restrict future developments of this magnitude. We will be unable to continue to enjoy the small town charm of South Pasadena if these types of developments go unchecked.
David Margrave
Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
What we should do and must do is spend the money we have on creating a parking lot—double deck. Let's enhance the parking. We don't want a bowling alley—let's get rid of the bowling alley. Let's spend our money wisely. Let's redevelop the Ostrich Farm. Let's build senior housing.
Mike Ten
I support and will work to complete the downtown project as created and designed by seven years of community input, approved by planning commission and the City Council and again by the vote of the residents of South Pasadena. Each new project will be evaluated by our citizens through the existing public processes and will be judged then by its merits to the community.
Alan Reynolds
I am cautious of projects of this type, especially after how previous projects have been handled. Alternatively, I am in favor of projects that will help drive potential business to South Pasadena, and this project might do this. We need to learn from earlier projects, and make sure that we look at the whole picture.
Marina Khubesrian
The project has been entitled to proceed as is after going through extensive due process. I support this project and expect that the developer will show us if and why it's still the right project for the current market.
These residents, especially women, do not feel safe parking in underground parking structures. Many residents are worried that we will have too many condos and mixed-use buildings that will sit vacant or be rented to massage parlors or similar establishments. These are very legitimate concerns. City Council does need to review zoning codes and address these concerns.
Ernie Arnold
I worked seven years on the Community Redevelopment Commission to develop the vision revitalization project. We spent years asking questions of the residents of South Pasadena. We researched other projects around the county to come up with a solution that was appropriate to the City of South Pasadena. We had thousands of hours of open session meetings and Town Hall meetings for outreach to the City. This is a good project. It has passed an environmental review. It has prevailed in law suites, and has been supported by a Citywide referendum. I am fully in favor of the revitalization project.
The residents have only filed the petition for circulation.They have not obtained the required signatures to put the question on the ballot. The voters of the City of South Pasadena have voted to support the project with residential uses, including senior housing, and an underground parking structure. Yes, I think South Pasadena will benefit from this specific development project. Whether or not a second such project would be appropriate is a different question.
Richard Schneider
I would like to see downtown revitalization but want to make sure the design, scale and size are compatible with the surrounding buildings and that the current existing businesses are retained and thoughtfully incorporated. It is essential that the developer bear the financial risk and not rely on the City or the Community Redevelopment Agency for financial backing.
Art Salinas
I am in favor of it. It must be a high priority for City Council. We need it to increase the level of vibrancy in our downtown shopping district. We must increase our sales tax revenue. According to a report prepared for the City and the Chamber of Commerce, there is $11 million of untapped sales potential downtown just from our residents alone, not including the new shops in the Genton development. That's a significant amount of untapped sales tax revenue.
The project has been approved by the residents. That means a great deal to me. It is greenlighted. It's fully entitled. We have a solid developer with financial backing on board. We should resolve the objections quickly and get started on it.
Also, I believe the Genton development will create a synergy that will motivate an investor to take on the renovation of the Rialto Theater. I would expect the same synergy will improve the vibrancy on Mission Street, all the way beyond the train station.
I think we can address the concerns of the petitioners regarding the parking structure by making sure there are sufficient parking spots near ground level, and handicapped spots too, to satisfy ADA requirements, and to accommodate the demand. As to residential units, I think that if the new structures are attractive, inviting, and complementary in appearance, they will sell and wont be detrimental to our small town environment.
Bob Joe
I support in concept the downtown revitalization project. I will review the project from four criteria: architectural distinction, financially viable, complements existing businesses and provides destination/specialty shops. We need to ensure that our business district grows successfully but in a balance way that fits with unique small town character.
Past Q&As:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.