Pasadena Launches Oral History Project to Document Impact of 710 Freeway Construction

The City of Pasadena is launching an oral history project to capture the stories of residents who were displaced by the construction of the 710 freeway in the 1960s and 1970s, city officials announced.

As part of the Historic Project for the City’s 710 Stub Master Plan, former residents and their family members are being invited to share their experiences through an online survey that includes a “Community Input Tool,” according to a statement from City spokesperson Lisa Derderian.

“These stories and perspectives are important to compiling a comprehensive narrative of experiences from residents who were impacted by the construction of the 710,” Derderian said. “The City is committed to the inclusivity of its diverse community and understands that every story will contribute to the rich tapestry of the Historic Project’s oral history.”

The survey, available in multiple languages including English, Japanese, and Spanish, covers topics such as personal experiences with the freeway construction, its historical significance, and its environmental, social and economic impacts. It will be available for submissions from Monday, April 29, to Sunday, June 30.

According to officials, the California Department of Transportation displaced thousands of residents, local businesses, and community institutions decades ago through the eminent domain process to create the path for the planned 710 freeway.

The information collected in the current survey will be analyzed and used to select candidates for preliminary interviews with a historian, city officials said.

Residents can access the survey online at bit.ly/oralhistoryinput or request a printed copy by calling (626) 405-4848 during business hours. Individuals can also speak with the City’s consultant or leave a voicemail outside of those hours.

The oral history project is one component of the Historic Project for the City’s 710 Stub Master Plan, which aims to reshape the area known as the “710 Stub” in Pasadena. The City Council has established a Community Advisory Group — The Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group — to assist in the planning process, and the City is in the process of hiring consultants to assist with the redevelopment plans.

The planning process also includes a “Reconnecting Communities Strategic Planning RFI” and an “RFP for Specific Plan.”

The SR-710 North Stub has had a significant impact on the Pasadena community, and the relinquishment of the area by the state back to the City of Pasadena was a decisive step in the redevelopment process.

“Be the storyteller of your experiences and contribute to this collective effort,” the City said in a poster promoting the project.

For more information about the 710 Stub Master Plan, residents can call the City Service Center at (626) 744-7311 or visit the city’s website at:

www.cityofpasadena.net/transportation/transportation-improvements/710-northern-stub/