City Hall Courtyard Could Be Named After Former Mayor Bogaard, Wife

The City Council will consider naming the City Hall courtyard after former Mayor Bill Bogaard and his wife Claire.

In 1999, Bogaard became the city’s first elected Mayor in modern times and served in that role until 2015.

Previously he had served on the Pasadena Board of Directors from 1978-1986, during which time he served as rotating Mayor from 1984-1986.

Bogaard continues to support the community since leaving office through a number of appointments to advisory boards, task forces, and non-profits.

“During his tenure, the city ushered in the arrival of the Gold Line Light Rail Transit System, made significant new investment in housing, completed the construction of the new convention center, and invested hundreds of millions of dollars into the city’s neighborhoods to create better roads, bridges, schools, parks and city services which enriched the lives of Pasadenans,” according to a city staff report.

Claire Bogaard made her own mark on the city through her passion for historic preservation.

A founding member of Pasadena Heritage, a community-based historic preservation association, she and her colleagues were instrumental in preserving Pasadena’s historic downtown at a time when it was contemplated that it be razed and replaced with high-rise development.

She also served on the board of the City’s oldest and largest neighborhood association, the West Pasadena Residents Association, as well as acting as an advisor to the National Trust of Historic Preservation, California State Historic Commission, and other City commissions and advisory committees, including the Committee for the Restoration of Pasadena City Hall.

The Bogaards moved to Pasadena in the early 1970s. Shortly after their arrival to the city, Bill launched a successful bid to represent the city’s 6th District on the Pasadena Board of Directors, which was eventually renamed the City Council.