McMillan, Acquanette (Netta)
From:
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2022 4:37 PM
To: Gordo, Victor; Rivas, Jessica; Wilson, Andy; Hampton, Tyron; Madison, Steve; Williams, Felicia; Masuda, Gene; PublicComment-AutoResponse
Subject: Re: Item #18
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Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council members,
I am writing in reference to item #18 and would like to remind you of what Council member Kennedy said about the need to consider use of the 710 stub in the context of racial justice and the displacement of African American from our city due to the 210 Freeway. I strongly agree with Councilmember Kennedy that African Americans displaced from our city deserve reparations. As Council member Kennedy eloquently expressed it:
"The repatriation of the 710 Freeway Stub to the City of Pasadena is little different than the return of Bruce Beach in Manhattan Beach to the African American family who had the the land stolen from them almost 100 years ago," said Councilmember John Kennedy. "Bruce Beach is valued at around $20 million dollars, a conservative estimate."
According to Kennedy, a rough estimate of the value of the land at the 710 Stub is possibly into the several billions of dollars.
"The critical piece to keep in mind is that African American and other minority groups had their land taken from them via the evils of eminent domain actions," he said.
Kennedy said the 52 acres can help solve the housing crisis in Pasadena, establish much-needed green space for children and families, create tremendous opportunities for small businesses and "simply unify our geographical plain."
But he cautioned, the community must be heard, public hearings must take place and an overall empathetic and respectful framework announced for consideration. "It is incumbent that Mayor Victor Gordo, in concert with the Pasadena City Council, impanel, bring together, a diverse and knowledgeable group of residents, community leaders, researchers, clergy, students, educators, developers, and professionals to help map out the way forward and make the crooked places straight!" Kennedy said. 08/15/2022
Item 18
1 To Council member Kennedy's comments, I can only add, AMEN Respectfully,
Anthony Manousos