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EDITORIAL↓

It may seem odd that the City of Pasadena would actually sell off an existing park space that is across from City Hall, but that’s what’s in the works, if YWCA/Kimpton proposal proceeds as-is.

Overview

The Julia Morgan’s YWCA building was bought through eminent domain by the city of Pasadena back in 2012.

Adjacent to the historic building, sit the 90 year old civic gardens, purchased with a $3.5 million bond issue, known as the “Bennett Plan,” on June 7, 1923. The bond was overwhelmingly approved with 80 percent passage rate by Pasadena voters.

In 2003, Pasadena City Council approved enhancement of the civic gardens (renamed the “Sister City Gardens”) as part of a $400 million investment to restore the Civic Center in accordance with the Bennett Plan.

Currently

The YWCA building is set to be converted into a 150-room boutique hotel by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. The current proposed project will build significantly into the public “civic gardens” at Holly Street and Garfield Avenue across from Pasadena City Hall.

Concerns

Alarmed about the loss of public green space in the downtown area, the Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association (DPNA), has submitted a letter to the Planning Commission and staff outlining their concerns.

The key points of the letter are as follows (read full letter here):

The project would eviscerate the Civic Gardens on Garfield that face City Hall. With so few parks and green space for the public in the Central District, the loss of these gardens is truly a step back toward creating the livable urban neighborhood. Taking away these public civic gardens violates the Bennett Plan, a plan that was approved by the voters and funded in 1923, and is referred to in the Central District Specific Plan – a key planning document.

The project “turns its back” on City Hall and is inward facing. Again, a step back and away from the vibrant urban neighborhood we are trying to create. The problem is the ground floor space along Union and Garfield is almost entirely guest rooms, with no pedestrian-oriented retail or even pedestrian entrances directly from the sidewalk. The new 6-story building fails to acknowledge that it faces City Hall. This is contrary to the guidelines of the Central District Specific Plan.

Action The public is greatly encouraged to attend the Pasadena Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 25th, at 6 pm in the City Council Chambers. Voice your support for existing park space. Read more about the proposed project here.