The first phase of the Downtown Arcadia Revitalization Study has been completed by Willdan Associates, engineers, architects and planners. A public meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 A.M. in the council chambers at City Hall to present to Arcadians in general and downtown merchants and property owners in particular the consultants' preliminary findings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
City of Arcadia has budgeted $55,000 for a downtown revitalization study, City Manager George Watts told members of the Arcadia Business Association at their monthly dinner meeting. See hard copy in Box 51.
Arcadia Business Association President, Charles Chivetta, who criticized the city's redevelopment policies and was criticized by the city in return, has sent out a letter criticizing the criticisms.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency is looking for developers to submit building proposals for 2 new major development projects on 5 acres of downtown property. The agency wants to house corporate headquarters, business and professional offices, retail stores and restaurants.
A call for comments on the proposed Downtown Revitalization Plan brought several suggestions and a few complaints at the Arcadia Planning Commission meeting.
For the first time in its history, the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency has authorized using its power of eminent domain to acquire properties specifically for redevelopment. The agency voted to use that power to acquire a construction yard on Santa Clara Avenue known as the Bong property and other properties on the north side of Huntington Drive, between Second Avenue and the Santa Anita Wash.
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.
Concerned horse owners will make an effort to get the Arcadia City Council to extend an emergency moratorium, stopping any new subdivision in their area until a petition they presented to the council can be considered.
The Arcadia City Council has signed agreements with Republic Development Company for the development of the area along Huntington Drive east of First Avenue.
The foundation of Arcadia's first redevelopment project is being poured at the corner of 5th Avenue and Huntington Drive. The prime tenant of the 3-story office building will be Arcadia's Southland National Bank.