Pasadena Council Tables $3.5M Contract, Advances 710 Vision Plan

Traffic on the 710 stub over the weekend (File Photo – Justine Kelley)

The Pasadena City Council on Monday tabled a $3.5 million contract for public safety radio equipment following an outpouring of public comment, while unanimously advancing next steps for the long-debated 710 Vision Plan.

By Andrew Sweet

Consent Agenda

When the City Council reviewed a $3.5 million contract with Motorola Solutions for updated public service radio equipment, they acknowledged that several community members had raised concerns about the city’s affiliation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Motorola Solutions currently holds around $16 million in contracts with DHS.

“Actions speak, words perform. No more contracts with corporations committed to violence and greed,” one correspondent wrote.

Rather than approve the contract, the City Council tabled the item to the May 4 meeting. Mayor Victor Gordo and other councilmembers suggested exploring alternative regional partners for equipment to introduce competition.

Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Vision Plan

The largest item of the evening was a review of the implementation of the Reconnecting Pasadena 710 Vision Plan, which aims to physically reconnect communities within the 710 corridor stub.

Debate over the SR-710 North extension dates back to the 1970s, when construction displaced approximately 4,000 residents of color, including Mexican, Black, and Japanese communities. In response, the City adopted a Restorative Justice Framework to evaluate past harms and guide future planning decisions.

The Council viewed a presentation outlining the Vision Plan framework, which includes developing a minimum of 1,800 housing units for mixed ownership and rentals, and accelerating efforts to make the area Pasadena’s first “sustainable, resilient, and carbon-neutral district.”

Pasadena has received significant correspondence supporting reparative efforts addressing historical segregation. Students from Sequoyah High School submitted letters advocating for the inclusion of green spaces and shade to help mitigate heat in the corridor.

The restorative framework also considered potential payments of up to $150,000 for displaced residents. However, City Council members determined that eligibility criteria need to be tightened before any decisions are made.

While several public speakers expressed concerns that restorative justice efforts were being undermined, Councilmember Tyron Hampton, District 1, made a motion, which was seconded by Councilmember Steve Madison, District 6, to approve the remaining staff recommendations.

While the vote signaled consensus on moving the plan forward, key questions, particularly around eligibility for reparative payments, remain unresolved and are expected to return in future meetings.