Architectural drawings and the design for the new Arcadia City Hall have drawn criticism from the City Council. The new City Hall building is estimated to cost $11 million.
The City of Arcadia has contracted with Gonzalez Goodale Architects to plan for a new City Hall. Both Upper and Lower City Hall buildings will be torn down after completion of the new facility.
Arcadia's new city government first formed in 1903 and its first meeting took place at Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's Oakwood Hotel, located at First Avenue and Santa Clara Road. Baldwin's hotel featured gambling and fine dining along with city government. The Oakwood Hotel burned down in 1911, and the city government moved to the McCoy Building at First Avenue and St. Joseph Street. Two years later, City Hall moved across the street to the Hibbard Building. In 1917, the first building was constructed as a City Hall at Huntington Drive and Second Avenue (?). A two-story colonial building was built for $18,000. This City Hall opened on July 13, 1918. City Hall moved in 1949 to a 13-acre parcel between Huntington Drive and the Pacific Electric railroad tracks.
Plans for a new City Hall building have moved into a second design phase, after officials approved a preliminary design package and dedicated a five-month process to fleshing out further details.
Arcadia City Council has gone on record as supporting the building of a new city hall that would be built on the other side of the Civic Center property. Out of three options presented by city manager Bill Kelly, the council consensus was for a new building at a cost of $6.6 million and adjacent to Huntington Drive West.
Community commemorations of September 11 will be held at the Arcadia City Hall, congregation Shaarie Torah, and the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum. A description of each event is given.
Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Matthews was honored at Arcadia High School in a benefit for the Special Olympics. He is a hometown legend, having graduated from Arcadia High School in 1979.
Area residents pray, reflect on September 11 attacks. Memorial services were held at area city halls including Arcadia, where about 300 people paid tribute to the victims.
The Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte Town Council will swear in the newly elected Town Council members. Incumbents Yvonne Bullock, David Hall and Melinda Taylor retained their seats and newcomer John J. Nicoloro was elected.
Incumbents Yvonne Bullock, David Hall, Melinda Taylor, and a challenger John J. Nicoloro were announced winners of the Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte- Town Council election.
The City Council approved a contract with Rokni Electric for a new 800 Kilowatt generator and a new telephone system (not to exceed $342,251) from SBC-Pacific Bell for City Hall. A contract with Systems Source Inc. for furnishings for the new police station was also approved. The City Librarian job title was changed to Director of Library and Museum Services.
City Manager Bill Kelly outlined a $16 million program to finish all public building projects for Arcadia in three years, as part of the city's five-year capital budget. The spending would include a new $6.5 million City Hall, a $1.3 million upgrade to Fire Station 106 on Baldwin Avenue. The city plans to build a new fire station to replace Fire Station 105 on Santa Anita Avenue. A city gym for the civic center property is in planning stages. The city plans to re-roof the community center for $150,000 and to put up 1/2 of the $800,000 cost to make the high school sports field an all-weather facility.
Arcadia Rotary Corner by Joe Miller. Over the years, with 501 (c)(3) status, the Arcadia Rotary Foundation has funded the Paul Johenk Fund, Ted McBane Fund, Dr. Bruce Walter Fund, Ira Traweek Fund and Nick Pokrajac Fund. The Paul Johenk Fund contributed $15,000 for one of the rooms at Arcadia Methodist Hospital, $10,000 to Arcadia Public Library for refurnishing a room, $10,000 toward construction of the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum. Board of Directors are Bill Gleason, Brian Hall, Mike Real, John Murphy and Ira Traweek.