Members of the Arcadia Business Association were briefed on the downtown revitalization study at the monthly dinner meeting by Al Warot, project manager for Willdan and Associates, which is conducting the study.
A disappointing turnout of less than a dozen people (mainly real estate developers) attended the public meeting to discuss phase I of the Downtown Arcadia Revitalization Study held Tuesday, July 31. One idea offered at the meeting was to create an "Avenue of the Thoroughbreds." More interaction with business owners affected by such suggestions was hoped for.
A call for comments on the proposed Downtown Revitalization Plan brought several suggestions and a few complaints at the Arcadia Planning Commission meeting.
The Arcadia Business Association held a meeting August 22, 1984, to inform 36 Arcadia business owners of the city's downtown revitalization plan. Unattractive storefronts were cited as a key problem to be solved. In order to ameliorate the situation the city might exercise eminent domain and relocation of certain businesses that fail to voluntarily cooperate with the city plan.
The Arcadia City Council approved 12 goals of revitalization of the downtown area. The approval came following a public hearing intended to solicit input on the matter from merchants, owners and the public on the issue.
Between August 11 and September 30, the city will install brick sidewalks on Huntington Drive between 2nd Avenue and Santa Clara Street as the first major phase of Arcadia's downtown revitalization project.
Arcadia hasn't been quick enough in spending its Community Development Block Grant and as a result the county might take back 18% of the money. In response, the Arcadia City Council voted to shift $100,000 from the Downtown Revitalization Program to the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
Article discusses the exchange of views between Councilman Haltom and local businessmen at the monthly meeting of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Industrial-Commercial Committee.
George Watts has been named city manager of Arcadia. Watts discusses areas of concern: finances, redevelopment, senior housing. Biographical notes included.
George Watts has been appointed acting city manager until the City Council names someone to replace Lyle Alberg who recently resigned. Watts, the city's assistant city manager, has served as acting city manager before. This time he has applied for the position.
Arcadia City Council has approved setting aside $270,094 in Community Development Block Grant funds for fiscal year 1984-85 to be used in a continuation of the 1983-84 business revitalization project.
Peter Kinnahan, former redevelopment project manager for the City of Carson, has been appointed assistant city manager for economic development in Arcadia by City Manager George Watts. Kinnahan succeeds Jay Corey.
Arcadia may follow the lead of Pasadena, Los Angeles and other communities by considering the possibility of adopting a no-smoking ordinance. According to City Manager George Watts, the council has not decided on any specific rules and probably will not receive a study report from staff until mid-November.
Arcadia's proposed city budget will be about $24.4 million, up 8.9% from the $22.4 million 1985-86 budget, according to a report from City Manager George Watts.