Square one
Heritage Square working group to discuss controversial project
By André Coleman 12/03/2009
The Heritage Square Request For Proposals Working Group, formed following several contentious official meetings marred by accusations of racism against the Pasadena City Council, will host a community meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday in the auditorium of the Jackie Robinson Center to discuss the controversial Heritage Square housing project.
The meeting will include an update on the project and presentation of conceptual plans. According to the current proposal, the project will be developed in two phases, starting with an affordable rental housing complex of 75 units for very low-income seniors.
In the second phase, a commercial component including a dining facility and medical offices would be built on the nearly three–acre site along North Fair Oaks Avenue, just south of Orange Grove Boulevard.
The working group, comprised of community members and city staff, was formed to prepare an RFP for the development of the first phase of the project. Once written, the RFP will be reviewed by the Northwest Commission, the Fair Oaks Project Area Committee and finally the City Council.
Three years ago, some in the African-American community were angered by the council ignoring recommendations by two ad hoc committees to enter into exclusive negotiations on the project with African-American developer and former Brotherhood Crusade leader Danny Bakewell.
The council never cited a formal reason for not following the recommendations, leading to several heated council meetings in which some residents accused council members of racism. Later it was announced that the entire process would be restarted. It is not known if Bakewell will submit a proposal.
The Jackie Robinson Center is located at 1020 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 744-8316.
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