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RECONNECTING
PASADENA 710
City Council Workshop
October 20, 2025
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2 210 FWY
134 FWY
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BACKGROUND
• Master/Vision Plan Initiation – March 2024
• 710 Project is a Vision Plan
• Vision Plan Delivery – March 2026
• Guidance by:
• Mayor-Appointed City Council Ad Hoc Committee
• Executive City Staff Committee
• Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group
• City Council Ad Hoc Committee – August & September 2025 • Developed questions for Council direction tonight
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Next step is Specific Plan
(CA Gov. Code 65451)
• Engage across the City
• Define/draft “Restorative Justice Framework”
• Data collection/ physical conditions
• Economics/preliminary delivery
• Mobility & circulation analysis
• Preliminary land-use options
• Climate resiliency & sustainability
Vision plan to serve as a guiding
document planning and
entitlement process…
VISION PLAN TO PLANNING DEPARTMENT
• RFPs/Consultant Augmentation
• Project Management
• Environmental Clearance (CEQA/NEPA)
• Finance
• Community Benefits Coordination
• Capital Improvement Projects
• Green Energy (Solar/Battery)
• Sustainability
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HISTORIC FINDINGS
DISCOVER
OPTIONS &
ENGAGE
DATA COLLECTION
MOBILITY & ACCESS OPTIONS
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE FRWK
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT
LAND USES & URBAN DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES
DOCUMENT &
REFINE
SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
FEEDBACK LOOP
OUTREACH AND ENGAGE
FEEDBACK LOOP
VISION
OPTIONS
3 PHASES, 24 MONTHS TO CRAFT THE VISION
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ENVISIONING NEIGHBORHOODS – LAND USE AS BUILDING BLOCKS OF
NEIGHBORHOODS
GATEWAY
PARTNERING
OPPORTUNITY
(1 Block)
CIVIC CULTURAL,
COMMERCIAL
EMPHASIS/MIXED
(2-4 blocks)
URBAN VILLAGE
MULTIFAMILY
RESIDENTIAL
(3-6 blocks)
INNOVATION
R+D /<MIXED>/LEARNING
ENVIRONMENTS
(4 blocks)
(residential alternate)
S. Pasadena
St John
Colorado
Union
Holly
Green
Bellevue
Valley
Del Mar
N
St John
(residential alternate)
Approx.
2.76 ac
Approx.
5.13 ac
Approx.
12.34 ac
Approx.
5.43 ac
Approximately 25 acres of developable land
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ENVISIONING NEIGHBORHOODS - LAND USE AS BUILDING BLOCKS OF
NEIGHBORHOODS
S. Pasadena
Saint John
Colorado
Union
Holly
Green
Bellevue
Valley
N
Saint John
Gardens & Terraces
North to south at lower level is
unique feature, option to cross
under Del Mar or at street
level.
New East street goes
through at Valley
Offer various semi-public spaces
for residents, with shade, and
balconies
Bridge paseos connect at
street level
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ENVISIONING NEIGHBORHOODS - LAND USE AS BUILDING BLOCKS OF NEIGH BORHOODS S. Pasadena
Colorado
Union
Holly
Green
Bellevue
Valley
Del Mar
N St John
Valley Street
connects
Linear public park space;
enables sustainable stormwater treatment,
various play & green spaces
Paseos & courtyards
throughout
Paseos connect at street level
links to park areas on West
side
Boulevard & Paseos
Bellevue Street
connects
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RESIDENTIAL - GOALS?
EMPLOYMENT - GOALS?
Unit range from 1,750 - 2,400 units across 10
blocks, assuming multifamily apartments and
condos.
• Affordability at Pasadena’s required
20% baseline.
• The vision plan can recommend an
increase to the amount or depth of
affordability.
Approximately 800,000 - 1.3 million
Gross Square Feet of space.
How would this impact form, traffic, and
water/power needs?
• Medical/and innovation spaces
• Commercial office
• Retail and personal services
• Destinations/employment
• Living spaces throughout the Stub
10 For the purposes of this plan, “Deep
Tech” encompasses technology subsectors
defined by Caltech as “industry pillars”.
These pillars are Biotech, AI & Robotics,
and Quantum. Although distinct fields of
study, each of these pillars focuses on the
advancement of technologies that can
transform industries and improve lives�
LIFE SCIENCES AND BIOTECH is the
most mature of these subsectors and is
the combination of natural sciences and
engineering to develop products that
affect living things, enabling scientific
breakthroughs that addre ssunmet me dical
needs�
QUANTUM is an emerging industry
that utilizes the principles of quantum
physics to pioneer groun dbreaking
advancements in technologies like novel
forms of computation and highly secure
communication networks�
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
algorithms that mimic human cognitive
functions can be applied across diverse
industry sectors, including healthcare,
finance, transportation, and entertainment,
among others�
AI also includes ROBOTICS, which refers
to a collection of applications involving the
development of ma ch ineswith human-like
intelligent be ha vior�
A renewed and highly targeted industry
focus.
• Pasadena is home to tech workforce:
• Xencor & deep tech (life science and
biotech, quantum, and artificial
intelligence/robotics) companies
• Deep tech offers in-person workforce
opportunities for non-remote jobs that
provide customers for brick-and-mortar
businesses
11 QUICK FOCUS – EMPLOYMENT: DEEP TECH
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• Green, sustainable, urban residential neighborhood;
responsive to adjacent residential, Ambassador
College.
• Amenity spaces integrated into developments – apply
treatments to multiple levels with terracing and
borrowed landscapes, green buildings contribute to
district strategy for water and power.
• East to West “ways” through the district (assume
minimum of three), with connected paseos, lanes.
• Minimum of one full bike/ped route traveling district from N to S. (along updated St. John or Pasadena,
interior to project, internal spine – option dependent) Green
Dayton
Del Mar
Ambassador
M. Sports Field
Existing
Residential
Maranatha HS
GREEN TO DEL MAR - Build up/Build down URBAN VILLAGE
DESIGN
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3 4 Valley
Land use tests:
Residential complemented by
small stores + personal services,
cafes, childcare, restaurants etc.
(extent and intensity)
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Urban Form
• Relationship to grade across district, e.g.
location of bike/pedestrian spine
• S. Pasadena Avenue; sensitivity to street wall -
height, building scale, massing and character,
access
• Greening approach tied to place making
• Land uses – test some taller buildings in interior
Cost/Construction Feasibility
• Test Del Mar re-conceived (new intersection)
• Test New vehicular street connection at Valley
Parking access
GREEN TO DEL MAR | Build up/ Build Down URBAN VILLAGE
FURTHER STUDY + DECISION POINTS
Green
Dayton
Del Mar
Ambassador
M. Sports Field
Existing
Residential
Maranatha HS
Valley5
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QUESTION:
Are there other potential land uses to incorporate in ongoing testing? ▪ E.g. Deep Tech, civic space, more housing, other
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REGIONAL TRAVEL
• Converting a freeway to freeway interchange into
local on/off ramps.
Regional Traffic N/S
210 EB – 710 SB
210 EB to 710 SB Connector
Pass-through/local
trip distribution
100%
Colorado
19%
9%
46%
10%
16%3%
Del Mar
California
Walnut3%
2% 26%
81%
15% to
110 FWY
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POTENTIAL TOOLS: ROUNDABOUT
WALNUT
HOLLY
I-210
Freeway to Freeway (Regional)
Freeway to Local Streets
Existing freeway
Flow of traffic
UNION
NEW BOULEVARD
PASADENA
ST JOHN
I-210
Roundabout slows and
redirects freeway travel. *No
pedestrians at roundabout/below
surface street level.
* Preliminary scale
of roundabout,
assumed 2- lanes
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Colorado Boulevard
W. Green Street
*W. Del Mar Street
W. Union Street
Walnut Street
Maple Street
Existing Street Classification
Freeway to Freeway (Regional)
Existing arterial
RECONNECTING
COMMUNITIES
• Re-imagine a connected, safe, multi-
modal, human-scaled set of access and
mobility improvements
• Improve connectivity choices and
reduce impacts
• Streets and bridges are safe,
accessible, human-scaled, promoting
connectivity and access choices
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TWO FRAMEWORKS
Walnut Street
Maple Street
Circulation frameworks start with the
least intervention and build towards
more change….
Existing Street Classification
Freeway to Freeway (Regional)
Existing arterial
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Walnut Street
Maple Street
Roadways still being refined.
Freeway on/off ramp
Freeway to Arterial
Arterial
Local Streets
Ped/Bike Connection
27 Complete Streets
Intersections
Freeway to Freeway (Regional)
Freeway to Local Streets
Local Complete Streets
Relinquishment Area
New Intersection
Existing Intersection
New Street
Street Classification
Bike ped
connection
TRANSFORMING A FREEWAY
GARDENS & TERRACES OPTION
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Roadways still being refined.
Maple Street
Freeway to Freeway (Regional)
Freeway to Local Streets
Existing arterial
Signature Streets (Colorado Blvd.)
Local One-Way Couplet
Local Complete Streets
Relinquishment Area
New Street
Pedestrian way/paseo/crossing
Street Classification
Freeway on/off ramp
Freeway to Arterial
Arterial
Local
Ped/Bike Connection
30 Complete Streets
Intersections
TRANSFORMING A FREEWAY
BOULEVARD & PASEOS OPTION
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Roadways still being refined.
Maple Street
BOULEVARD & PASEOS
OPTION
1. Maple Street could be
designed to be slow and
redirect traffic movements
outside the study area.
2. A
multilevel redevelopment to
the north of Union could have
direct freeway access for
regional transit service or
offer future bus layby. It could
operate on multiple levels.
EXPLORING
Freeway to Freeway (Regional)
Freeway to Local Streets
Existing arterial
Signature Streets (Colorado Blvd.)
Local One-Way Couplet
Local Complete Streets
Relinquishment Area
New Intersection
Existing Intersection
New Street
Street Classification
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St. John
EXISTING PASADENA
TRANSIT SERVICE
M
M
112,000annual
outpatient visits
1 0
20 40
1,000 000
Visitors/year
Old Pasadena
40,000pp/weekend
Mobility to
connect the dots
Colorado Blvd
Green Street
Union Street
Holly Street
Del MarS. Pasadena
B/P
Fair Oaks Ave
S. Raymond Ave
S. Arroyo Pkwy
S. Marengo Ave
33 Route 10
Route 20
Route 33
Route 40
Route 51
Metro Micro
Metro A Line
New multimodal connection
New bike/pedestrian emphasis
B/P
B/P
B/P
160K Annual
visitors
2 0
T
Walnut Street
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23 RECONNECTING MAPLE STREET
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VISION PLAN: TOOLS TO INCREASE MOBILITY CHOICES, LIVABILITY & ACCESSIBILITY
SET MOBILITY GOALS FOR THE FUTURE
• Slower traffic speeds
• Enhanced intersection design
• Local serving & protected bike lanes
• Pedestrian facilities
• Walkable access to local destinations
• Reduced peak directional travel.
• Link to local and regional activity centers
• Fill service gaps with flexible modes
• Micro-transit & BRT to fill gaps
• Explore transit incentives for future residents
• Enhance pedestrian amenities
• Secure public bike parking
• Strengthen Pasadena Transportation Management Association (TMA) • Ridesharing, vanpools, guaranteed ride home etc.
Mix of Uses
Transit
Availability
Walkability/
Urban Form
Parking Access
Combining tools over time moves the needle
towards less driving trips
Driving Other
modes
Driving Other
modes
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N
GATEWAY AS PLACE & DESTINATION
LOWER LEVEL
INTEGRATE REGIONAL
MOBILITY/
SERVICE SPACES
VERTICAL CIRCULATION TO
STREET
VARIOUS
MOBILITY
JOINT DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITY
UNION STREET
Regional Bus
Shuttle Bus
Transit and Micro-Transit
Local Bus/layby
Restrooms, Info & Ticketing
Business /institutional uses
Day-care, child-development services
Senior /cultural Center
Housing/hospitality
Vehicular Drop off/Pickup
EV Charging
Plaza /Outdoor Events
Semi-Permanent Retail/Package Locker
Bikeshare/Pedestrian Access and Plazas
BUS LOOP / LAYOVER
LOCAL TO WALNUT
TO EB 210 /
TO/FROM
/WALNUT
LOCAL FROM/TO
210 ROUNDABOUT
STREET LEVEL
INTEGRATE LOCAL
MOBILITY AND STREET
ACCESS
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QUESTION/COMMENT:
What other social or physical access and connectivity approaches should the City consider?
For example, east-west links, regional to local, pedestrian ways, etc.
CIVIC AND CULTURAL AT COLORADO
Artist’s illustration of activated plaza space on Colorado Boulevard, looking north towards possible redeveloped area adjacent to interchange.
27 FIRST VISIONING IDEAS
DEEPER DIVE – TESTING THE FRAMEWORK
• Colorado Boulevard; adapt to
create a civic place
• Complement historic scale with 2-
3 story street wall
• Include civic square; enable
events at Colorado Blvd.
• Capture & frame views
• Selective activation of ground
plane; extend street level across
district.
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5 WHERE WE ARE
Key Uses and Programs:
Commercial, residential, enables small
businesses and retail to extend from Old
Pasadena
Design:
How to connect to freeway to the north.
Opportunities for shared off street parking below
grade and in the ditch.
Extent and scale of buildings on Colorado
EXPLORING
variation
GARDENS & TERRACES
GREENWAY/BOULEVARD
28 DEEPER DIVE – WHAT ELEMENTS DO YOU SEE?
Inspired by City Hall courtyard & gardens A place of memory Venue for markets A people-watching destination with cafes and restaurants – with spaces for local business and organizations Framed by buildings
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30 QUESTION:
What are your thoughts on the balance of public space to development area?
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SOUTH OF DEL MAR - SPECIAL CONDITIONS
• Caltrans owned stormwater
facility/lowest/deepest part of the
site
• Collects stormwater from the
freeway system AND parts of West
Pasadena/Central District
• Caltrans has preliminarily agreed
to remove the pump, future
partnering on water quality
upgrades
• City to size, plan and locate new
pump station(s) during next phases
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FROM SINGLE USE TO MULTIPLE BENEFIT – OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECONNEC TION Bellevue
Gardens & Terraces Boulevard & Paseos
Bellevue
Accommodates
development/
Deep Tech campus
Water could be a design feature,
including
natural systems, terraces, water
based active play spaces
Terrace, urban parks and
plazas, water detention below,
enables active uses above.
comparatively reduced
building footprints
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STRATEGY PROJECT AREA BUILDING
Passive Design Strategies -Street and block orientation & proportions -Urban Forest
-Design tight envelopes
-Right size openings
-Provide shading
Mechanical Systems -Municipal waste heat recovery
-Ground source heat exchange
-Thermal storage tanks
-Central Utility Plant
-Require all electric buildings
Onsite Generation -Microgrid
-Urban Solar
-Battery storage
-Rooftop Solar above code
-Battery Storage
Embodied Carbon Reduction -Minimize cut and fill
-Lower embodied carbon of infrastructure
-Infrastructure adaptive reuse
-Canopy trees / habitat health
-Minimize cut and fill
-Lower embodied carbon of
construction materials
PRIORITIZATION AND STRATEGY IDENTIFICATION
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TOOLS: SUSTAINABILIT Y “GREY” WATER REUSE TO BENEFIT CIT Y WATER G OALS St John
Pasadena
Relinquishment Area
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QUESTION:
In addition to the sustainability and resilience concepts presented, are there additional items Council would like considered? 36 36
Infrastructure
• Roadway infrastructure
• Multi modal improvements
• Sustainable water features
• Clean energy/renewables, across
project area and/or buildings
BRINGING THE IDEAS TOGETHER: NEXT STEPS
• Create a “Planning level” economic model to provide insight into overall project costs • Provide decision makers with the key levers impacting the future cost of the project and potential revenues that might be generated by the project upon completion Private Development
• Attracting economic and
environmentally superior partners
• Embed flexibility in a dynamic
marketplace?
• Value alignment with public goals
for affordability or other
programs?
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DEVELOPMENT FINANCE TOOLS TO EXPLORE
Overview of Primary Development Finance Tools
37 Infrastructure
Funding &
Financing
Tools
Tax
Increment
Financing
(TIF)
Special Tax /
Assessment
Districts
(e.g., CFD)
General Fund
Financings (I-
Bank, GO
Bonds, Lease
Revenue
Bonds, TIFIA)
Grants
Impact Fees,
State Budget
Surplus,
Other
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NEXT STEPS - PROJECT TIMELINE
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