The Arcadia City Council plans to seek more than $1 million in damages against its original contractor for cost overruns in the City's Downtown 2000 revitalization project.
Arcadia City Council rejected objections filed by Los Angeles County and declared a redevelopment district for South Arcadia. The district, which covers business properties along Las Tunas and Live Oak, will be operated as a non-contiguous part of the Arcadia downtown redevelopment district. The City Council declared the area does suffer from both economic and physical blight, and hope to spend $12 million to upgrade the district.
The Arcadia City Council unanimously approved a General Plan update that aims to make the future Metro Gold Line station the heart of a revitalized downtown and the plan includes a revitalization of Live Oak Avenue.
Arcadia City Council voted 4-0 in favor of searching for a temporary contractor for the Downtown 2000 project. Striking workers have caused delays and fears of future health problems.
Arcadia city officials adopt a 5-year redevelopment plan. The major goals are the expansion of the Rusnak Mercedes Benz auto dealership, development around the future Gold Line station and several affordable housing programs. The city demolished the Church of Arcadia's old building at 21 Morlan Place in September to make room for a parking lot that could be used by Rusnak.
Arcadia city officials will consider changes to its General Plan, a 25-year blueprint for land-use decisions. The new plan aims to revitalize the city's downtown (First Avenue and Huntington Drive) as well as the Live Oak Corridor in the city's southern end. "We're making it easier to develop the downtown and the area around the (future) Gold Line station," said Council Bob Harbicht. If approved, it would allow for mixed-use commercial and residential complexes, commercial square footages could double and the height limit would increase from 40 to 45 feet.
The Arcadia Community Redevelopment Agency approved architectural and landscape site plans for the northwest corner of Santa Clara Street and Fifth Avenue.
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.
Arcadia launches the new Arcadia Downtown Business Association, with plans to revitalize the downtown district. Matt McSweeney is the association's chairperson and owner of Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant on East Huntington Drive. City officials will spend about $90,000 on a parking study and about $18,000 in redevelopment funds to get Arcadia Downtown Business Association off the ground. The revitalization plans should work nicely with the slated opening of the Gold Line station at the northwest corner of North First Avenue and East Santa Clara Street by 2014.
Arcadia loses a redevelopment battle with Los Angeles County. The ruling stated that the Las Tunas Drive - Live Oak Avenue area in South Arcadia did not meet the criteria to be declared blighted in order to receive redevelopment funds.
The Arcadia Planning Commission approved the development of a retail shopping center at the corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Duarte Road. The approval was made after determining that such a project would not cause adverse traffic congestion.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency adopted a resolution approving the land acquisition and development agreement to help Paul Rusnak buy five sites for his Mercedes Benz dealership expansion. The Arcadia Elks Lodge doesn't want to move.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement to build a 122-room hotel in East Arcadia. The deal with ESA Management, the parent company of Extended Stay America, calls for an expected completion date by mid-1998.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency approved the purchase of $1.2 million in land owned by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Co. at 21 North 2nd Avenue to be used as part of the Northwest Corner Project of commercial development.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency granted Stanley Gribble and Associates a 6-month exclusive right to negotiate with the city to develop a commercial project at the east end of the city between the railroad tracks on the south and west, Huntington on the north and 5th Avenue on the east.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency has started a Commercial Facade Rehabilitation Program that reimburses merchants up to 50% for what they spend on such things as awnings and signage for their buildings.
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.