With construction nearly complete on the Arcadia Historical Museum, city officials are mulling possible litigation against the contractor because the $1 million project is three months behind schedule.
Construction has started on the expansion of the Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita. There will be two parking structures to replace current surface parking, 104,400 square feet of retail space, 18,400 square feet of restaurants, a 7,800 square foot food court, 45,000 square feet of specialty stores, 54,300 square feet of movie theaters, and a 5,400 square foot auto center. The tenant list includes an AMC theater, Borders bookstore, and a Sports Chalet. The expansion is scheduled to be completed September 2004. City manager Bill Kelly said Arcadia will proceed to expand Fire Station 105 to serve as the new fire department headquarters and will rebuild Station 106. The city is considering building a new City Hall and youth center from city revenues from Santa Anita Park. The new police station, the first city facility partly financed through bonds, will be open this fall. A $1/2 million project to remodel City Council Chambers is finally complete, with the opening of the council conference room.
Arcadia County Park fountain rededicated. The fountain in the park, which is a memorial to wartime casualties, was rededicated to honor those who perished in last year's September 11th terrorist attack. The fountain is being redone and will have a bronze peacock on the top of the fountain. The renovated landmark will be called Peacock Corner.
Westfield Santa Anita celebrated the opening of The Promenade, its $120 million open-air expansion of 30 stores. The 115,000 square foot addition was built on the former parking area adjacent to Nordstrom and Macy's. The 30 new stores, including Coach, J. Jill, Banana Republic and other upscale retailers, are set among landscaped walkways featuring fountains, seating areas, and shade trees.
A state-of-the-art Arcadia police station nears completion at a cost of $16 million. The police headquarters features a two-story atrium and an open staircase.
The City will pay $25,000 of city money toward putting a 10-foot tall bronze peacock at Peacock Corner, in front of Arcadia County Park, on the corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue. The sculpture will emerge from the center of the fountain at the corner. The actual cost of the sculpture and base is $36,500. The fountain was originally donated by Rotary Club 35 years ago.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital opened a new four-level parking structure this week, completing the first phase of its expansion. The second phase will include a 152,000 square feet, five-story patient tower, with a bridge connecting the top three floors to the existing Berger Patient Tower. The new North Tower, to be completed in 2010, will house a new emergency department, medical and surgical inpatient beds, two intensive care units, and a pharmacy.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital received a $4 million gift from philanthropists Tom and Bea Hollfelder, the largest outright gift made by individual donors in the hospital's 106 year history. In recognition of their donation, the first floor of the new hospital tower, scheduled to open in 2012, will be named the Hollfelder Emergency Care Center.
Westfield Group expects to complete its second expansion project at Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita in three years -- an $85 million, 185,000 square feet wing that would convert the mall into a cross between a traditional indoor mall and an outdoor shopping center.
The fountain created by Millard Sheets which sits at the entrance to the Los Angeles County Arboretum may be removed and replaced by another water feature. The plan is in the early stages and the final decision will be make by the Arboretum Foundation Board of Trustees.
On opening day of the winter - spring season at Santa Anita Park race track, fans will find renovations including additional dining areas, outdoor lighting, new restrooms, a new restaurant, SIRONA, on the Terrace level and palm trees near the entrance.
Drainage problems with the Cushion Track cause the cancellation of races. Santa Anita Park race track executives weigh options including shutting down and moving races to Hollywood Park, or installing a completely new surface.
Lava Man, with exercise rider Tony Romero, takes a jog on the Santa Anita Park race track's new surface, a Cushion Track that cost more than $10 million.
The City Council awarded a $30,000 commission to an Irvine artist, David Chapple, to create a bronze peacock sculpture as the focal point for the fountain at "Peacock Corner" in Arcadia County Park.
Plans are underway for "Peacock Corner" at the fountain and entrance at Arcadia County Park at Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive. The bronze peacock will be 8 feet tall.