Future of Downtown Redevelopment Project Uncertain

Assistant City Manager Sergio Gonzalez announced last week that the Community Redevelopment Commission (CRC) has suspended its meetings until further notice.

The decision to suspend CRC meetings was made in part because of California's plan to dissolve redevelopment agencies. 

“The proposed elimination of redevelopment agencies has caused great uncertainty as to the future of redevelopment,” Gonzalez said. 

“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates periodically in regard to State actions and any progress in our efforts to complete the Downtown Redevelopment Project,” he added. 

The City, with input from the Community Redevelopment Commission, engaged Genton as the developer for the Downtown Redevelopment Project in March after the previous developer could no longer finance the project.

The estimated $50 million project would give a face-lift to a three-block stretch of South Pasadena, from Hope Street in the north to El Centro Street in the south and between Mound Street in the west to Fair Oaks Avenue in the east. 

To read more about the proposed project, click here. 

The project is not without opposition. Several business owners and residents in the area have expressed concerns about the project’s phasing, parking issues and overall size. Others are worried the project could have the same negative business impact as the work being done on Fair Oaks Avenue.

The CRC meetings will reconvene at a later date, according to City staff. In the meantime, staff will be working closely with Agency Legal Counsel to consider options. 

Stay tuned as Patch continues to follow this story.