Hahamongna Watershed Park (File Photo – City of Pasadena)
The Pasadena City Council voted unanimously last week to approve the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) aimed at identifying an organization to lead the rebuilding and operation of the six vacant Hahamongna Annex buildings and the adjacent Oak Woodlands Natural Open Space. The City Council has directed staff to release the RFP within the next 90 days.
By News Desk
The decision marks a significant step toward revitalizing the long-vacant Hahamongna Annex site, which has remained unused since Pasadena acquired it from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) in 2005. The six buildings will be part of an initiative guided by the Hahamongna Watershed Park (HWP) Master Plan (2003) and its Addendum (2010), which detail permissible uses for the site.
The HWP Master Plan specifically calls for the creation of an environmental education center at the site. The Annex is identified as an ideal location for such a center, which would focus on Native American history and culture, as well as ecological education within the Arroyo Seco. The 2010 Addendum further reinforced the site’s central role in this vision.
Community Collaboration at the Heart of the Vision
In addition to approving the allowable uses outlined in the staff report, the Council received strong support from a coalition of local community organizations advocating for the creation of a “Climate Resilience Environmental Education Center at HWP Annex” (CREEC). Formed in the summer of 2022, CREEC includes organizations such as Outward Bound Adventures, the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, My Tribe Rise, and the Pasadena Audubon Society. Together, these groups bring more than 100 years of collective service to the Pasadena and Altadena communities. The coalition has expressed its support for the adaptive reuse of the existing buildings on the site, a sentiment echoed by Stayner Architects, a local architectural firm specializing in nonprofit design.
Councilmembers Advocate for Swift Action and Collaborative Partnerships
Councilmember Rick Cole voiced his support for a partnership approach, encouraging the City to collaborate with a qualified organization, similar to successful partnerships with institutions like the Pasadena Playhouse and the Norton Simon Museum. Councilmember Tyron Hampton pushed for swift action, urging City staff to release the RFP within the 90-day timeline and to ensure the final resolution allows the selected operator to assess whether demolition of the existing buildings is necessary.
City Moves Forward with Revitalization Plans After Investigation Clears Deed Restrictions
While the City initially proposed a one-year timeline for releasing the RFP, CREEC representatives requested a faster timeline, along with the inclusion of a feasibility study to evaluate the potential for adaptive reuse of the buildings. They argue that this approach would help preserve the historic character of the site while incorporating new educational and environmental programs.
This issue was previously discussed in a City Council meeting on June 2, 2025, but was removed from the agenda by Mayor Victor Gordo due to concerns over potential deed restrictions from MWD. However, after a three-month investigation by City staff, it was determined that no such restrictions exist, paving the way for the current approval.
The City’s plan to revitalize the Hahamongna Annex aligns with the broader goals of the HWP Master Plan, which emphasizes environmental education, cultural preservation, and community engagement. As the project moves forward, Pasadena is poised to transform a long-neglected site into a vibrant community resource.
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