City to Focus on Derelict YWCA Building

The City of Pasadena is planning community meetings on July 19 and July 21 regarding the status of the former YWCA building near City Hall.

The meetings will include information about the City’s process for submissions from qualified developers who are interested in rehabilitating the historic YWCA structure that was originally designed by famed architect Julia Morgan.  Meeting participants also will be able to walk through the now-closed YWCA building for the first time in many years.

Each meeting will consist of two parts: an on-site tour of the YWCA building, 78 N. Marengo, at Holly Street, and a presentation and comment session in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

• YWCA Building Walking Tour, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 19, followed by Presentation and Comments, 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall

• YWCA Building Walking Tour, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday, July 21, followed by Presentation and Comments, 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Council Chambers, City Hall.

Pasadena officials say the City plans to issue a Request for Proposals during the week of July 9 seeking responses on how to best preserve and re-use the historic building that the City acquired earlier this year.  Preservation of the former YWCA has been a top priority for Pasadena Heritage for more than two decades.

Pasadena Heritage officials are supporting the meetings by providing volunteers to assist the public at the meetings and tours of the YWCA building.

For more information about the City of Pasadena, go online to www.cityofpasadena.net.