News of the Arroyo
Title: | Deciding Desiderio |
Subtitle: | Groups involved in developing site urged to reach compromise |
Date: | 2007-03-10 |
Summary: | March 10, 2007 - Can a suitable compromise be reached for the use of the Desiderio Army Reserve Center site? Clearly there are disagreements between the officials from Habitat for Humanity and the team behind the Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment, the California Art Club and the Arroyo Seco Foundation. |
Author: | Janette Williams, Staff Writer |
Publication: | Pasadena Star-News |
Content: | PASADENA - As cracks appear in the affordable housing/art and environment center partnership for the Desiderio Army reserve site, both parties were advised to \"cancel all shore leave\" and work on a solid compromise for the City Council to consider March 19. Councilman Steve Madison - one of about 20 neighbors, project architects, Habitat for Humanity, Arroyo Seco Foundation and California Art Club representatives who toured the site below the curving Colorado Street Bridge Friday morning - said those involved would have to \"keep tweaking to get something that works for all of us.\" Otherwise, he said, they risk reopening the whole discussion. \"To use a military term, cancel all shore leave and work around the clock,\" said Madison, whose district includes the site. The council must submit the proposal to the Department of Defense for approval by June, and \"if it\'s not viable, we need to know immediately,\" he said. Friday\'s tour developed into something of an ad-hoc meeting on the best way to fit both projects into the federally owned site, with suggestions, opinions and differences frankly exchanged. For many, it was the first chance to see inside the three on-site buildings that Habitat for Humanity wants to demolish as part of its plan to put nine self-built affordable houses on the 5.1-acre site. The council has backed a plan for Habitat to share the coveted acreage with The Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment. Financing for the joint proposal of the Arroyo Seco Foundation and the century-old California Art Club hinges on reusing the poured concrete buildings, which total about 25,000 square feet, as gallery, museum and education space. The rest of the site would be open land. Reconfiguring the site plan could reposition Habitat\'s bungalow court, allowing the existing buildings to be rehabbed, which would make economic and environmental sense, said Elaine Adams, the art club\'s executive director. She pointed to the bridge\'s arched spans framed by clerestory windows the length of the gymnasium building and the view of the neighboring Vista Del Arroyo Hotel, saying, \"These important historic edifices become part of the \\ museum space - we couldn\'t recreate this.\" Sonja Yates, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Pasadena, said removing the buildings was an opportunity to open up a view of the bridge and create more open space. \"This is more a situation about vision and political will,\" Yates said. \"It leaves the council with a tough decision.\" Yates said the two groups will meet at the Habitat board meeting on Monday for discussion on how to bring \"more harmony\" to the proposal. janette.williams@sgvn.com (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4482 On the Net: Photo Gallery: Desiderio site |
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