Rusnak Mercedes-Benz has moved from Pasadena to the old Foulger Ford property at 55 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia. A photo shows city officials and top business people at the ribbon cutting on the site.
The Arcadia City Council approved the design for a proposed addition to the new car showroom at Rusnak Mercedes-Benz. The dealer wants to build a two-story, 2644 square feet addition to the southeast corner of the showroom. The City council approved additions to other businesses as well.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency is apparently making some progress in a project to improve the area around the Rusnak Mercedes-Benz dealership. The project, known as the Morlan Place Center, has been the topic of closed-door discussions with property owners around the Huntington Drive site. The city has extended offers to at least two property owners to move to 620 E. Live Oak, so that Morlan Place Center can be developed.
Manny Romero, owner of Rod's Grill, has initiated Measure A to try to block the Rusnak Mercedes Benz automobile dealership from expanding. The city has put out a counter measure, Measure B, to citizens to vote on at the May 8 election.
Rusnak Motors gets a 6-month extension to its exception from ARA 172, a resolution that prohibits car sales unless new cars are also sold. The Council also acted to amend the central business district ordinance to allow service stations with a conditional use permit.
The Community Redevelopment Agency is still considering an 11-acre project around the former Foulger Ford property, now owned by car dealer Paul Rusnak.
Rusnak Arcadia sells premium pre-owned automobiles and had its grand opening last month (but opened mid-August) at the former site of Foulger Ford (which closed in 1992) at 55 W. Huntington Drive. With some history of other automobile dealerships in Arcadia, including Bates Chevrolet, Lindy Chevrolet, and a Datsun dealership owned by Bruce and Bob Low.
Authorities have released Joshua Connole of Pomona, a suspect in the August 22 vehicle vandalisms labeled by FBI as acts of ecoterrorism. More than $2 million in damage was caused by vandals claiming affiliation with the Earth Liberation Front. High-end sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and other vehicles at the Rusnak Mercedes Benz dealership in Arcadia, Advantage Ford in Monrovia, Clippinger Chevrolet in West Covina, and Duarte Mitsubishi were torched and spray painted.
Santa Anita Park Race Track owner Frank Stronach has met with city officials about Arcadia's concerns with the track expansion plan and future sessions will be held. The concerns centered around plans to build new barns on the north side of the property, the internal connections between the track and Westfield Shopping mall traffic and people, and architectural compatibility with the track.
Arcadia City Council has approved a plan revision for the expansion of the Westfield mall. The revised plans involve adding a grade plus one-level parking structure south of Robinson-May, and a 5,400 square feet auto center northeast of the site.
Groundbreaking for expansion of the Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita mall will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 9:00 AM. The $98 million expansion will include a 16-screen movie theater, Borders Bookstore, Sports Chalet, a new food court, 30 new shops, and two parking structures. The expansion is Phase One of a possible two-part expansion of the mall, which originally opened 29 years ago.
Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita needs a bigger sign for the new tenants in its proposed expansion. Westfield wants a sign big enough for six tenant names, instead of the four previously agreed upon for the signage.
The City Council has authorized a study to determine whether Live Oak Avenue meets redevelopment law requirements of being a blighted area and whether to include businesses along Live Oak in the central city redevelopment district.
Virginia Brown recalls memories of early Arcadia having chicken farms everywhere. She has lived in Arcadia since her birth in 1917. Her father Scott Lee came to Arcadia in 1907 to dig water wells. Lee was a graduate of Throop Institute, which became California Institute of Technology. Her mother was Delia Chandler. Virginia Brown talks about where her family lived and her family's friendship with Anita Baldwin. The article includes a photo of Virginia Brown and her parents.
The Live Oak County Library at 4153-55 E. Live Oak Avenue is one of 15 county branches that were saved from closure when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors found an additional $7.7 million for the library department.