710 Stub Project Management Proposal Goes Before the Council Monday

The City Council on Monday will vote on a contract with pointC, LLC for strategic planning and project management services related to the 710 relinquishment area.

After years of opposition, and at one support, of a freeway extension through West Pasadena, Pasadena reclaimed 50 acres of the 710 stub in 2022 when Caltrans formally relinquished the stub to the City of Pasadena.

In August 2022 the title of the property was transferred to the City. 

PointC has a proven track record of helping the City achieve successful outcomes related to the 710 relinquishment, according a city report.

The firm began working with the City in 2019. 

“Through this contract, their legislative and governmental expertise, as well as their leadership in transportation, planning and economic development advanced the City’s interests with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), Caltrans and regional and local agencies that helped result in the relinquishment last year,” according to a City staff report. 

So far the City has spent $832,404 on services provided by pointC since FY 2019.  

“With this relinquishment comes the unique opportunity to reconnect our city which was bifurcated through the eminent domain process and which created a physical divide in Pasadena,” according to the staff report. “We now have the unique opportunity to “stich” Pasadena back together. This effort is a high priority which will require many resources, various skill sets and expertise, and much community input.”

On November 18, 1964, the California Highway Commission determined the routing for the final five miles of the freeway – now known as the SR 710 – through the communities of El Sereno, South Pasadena, and Pasadena to complete the adoption of the Long Beach Freeway.

At least 4,000 residents were displaced and 1,500 homes and commercial buildings demolished. 

A majority of the homes were owned or rented by low-income residents and people of color. 

The freeway never materialized in El Sereno and South Pasadena, but the SR 710 northern interchange was constructed in the City of Pasadena in the early 1970s, resulting in the Northern Stub.