City’s Economic Development Office Reports On Vacant City-Owned Sites in Pasadena

The city’s Office of Economic Development has provided information about city-owned vacant lots in Pasadena in response to councilmembers’ request for information on properties that could potentially be used for a tiny shelter community for homeless people.

At the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee on Tuesday, City Acting Economic Development Manager David Klug said there are currently 12 vacant city-owned properties in Pasadena. The sizes of the properties range from 0.1 acres to 1.15 acres.

The vacant properties include a 50,000 square feet property along Del Mar Boulevard previously used for a Nature Center and a 46,609 square feet property located at South Kinneloa, now temporarily being used by the city’s Department of transportation to store on-street dining K-rail.

A 30,310 square feet property along Arroyo Drive that the transportation department wants to be used as a bike path, and a 14,070 square feet property located at 1 Pepper Street, currently being used as a public walkway, are also among the 12 vacant properties presented by Klug.

During the meeting, Vice-Mayor Andy Wilson said the city should explore the use of these vacant lots for housing, community centers or parks, depending on the community’s need.

“We probably could come up with a priority checklist on what the highest priority is, then we go to that list,” he added.

Pasadena resident Sonja Berndt voiced her concerns about the report presented by the city staff.

“An analysis of suitability for a tiny shelter community has not been presented and I’m looking forward to that discussion at a future EdTech meeting.”

Aside from city-owned vacant lots, Berndt said the city should also look at the possibility of leasing or purchasing vacant property owned by Los Angeles County to create a tiny shelter community.

She said the city could use a portion of the $26 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in order to fund upfront cost and operating cost for the project.

“Please agendize the subject of the tiny shelter community in our city as requested by Vice-Mayor Wilson and Councilmember Jessica Rivas including the comparative cost analysis with the motel voucher program.”

At the December 8 meeting of the committee, Wilson and Rivas requested a report on potential City-owned sites for tiny village shelters, including a cost comparison of the City’s motel voucher program and an analysis on capital and operating costs.

“We’re not talking about nature centers and parks. We are talking about 300 people who have no shelter. Nothing at all,” added Berndt.

In response to Berndt’s statement, committee chair Tyron Hampton asked the city staff to come to the committee no later than April for a discussion on the tiny shelter community and related matters.