710 ‘Stub’ Property Planning Process Before Council on Monday

The City Council could create a task force to help establish the planning process of the 710 Freeway ‘stub’ property relinquished to Pasadena by Caltrans.. 

The council will discuss the first steps of its planning process on Monday.

“Staff will bring forward a separate report providing options that the Council may wish to consider to establish a task force,” according to the staff report. “Given the unique opportunities that this project presents, it may be desirable to establish one task force to address land use/planning aspects of the project and a separate task force to help guide the work related to the displaced communities.”

After decades, Caltrans voted unanimously to approve relinquishment of the 710 stub back to Pasadena.

The vote came after decades of uncertainty regarding the future of the 710 extension, and marked a historic moment in the City’s long-sought goal of re-envisioning and rebuilding what was once an integral and vibrant part of Pasadena.

More than 50 years ago, Caltrans seized hundreds of homes in southwestern Pasadena, the city of South Pasadena and the Los Angeles neighborhood of El Sereno through eminent domain in what ultimately became a failed effort to connect the Long Beach 710 and Foothill 210 freeways.

Caltrans demolished dozens of homes owned by African-Americans and others in western Pasadena for the project.

According to National Public Radio, the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 routed some highways directly through Black and Brown communities and, like Caltrans, took homes from families via eminent domain.

“There are currently a number of transitional mobility projects being considered that will allow for the continued safe vehicular access in and around the former State right-of way area,” according to a city staff report. “These projects are currently going through public input phase and will be going to the Transportation Advisory Commission and to City Council in September, 2022.”

According to a staff report, the development of future plans for this area include adopted Guiding Principles located within the Land Use Element.