PLANNING TO BEGIN FOR USE OF ARMY RESERVE BASE

PROJECT TITLE:

Desiderio Army Reserve Center

PROJECT ADDRESS: 

655 Westminster Drive, Pasadena, CA

Project Manager:

Stephanie Dewolfe (626) 744-7143

FINAL DESIDERIO PLAN

On February 5, the City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation (Habitat Scheme A) and encouraged Habitat for

Humanity and the Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment to meet

with staff to fully explore the anticipated plan.

Project Description:  The federal government no longer needs the Desiderio Army Reserve Center under the Colorado Street Bridge, so the city is helping to plan a future for the site.

Located at 665 Westminster Dr., the two-story classroom building and garage were included in the final recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission approved by Congress in November 2005. The activities housed at Desiderio will be relocated to a new center in the City of Bell, although not immediately.

Overlooking the Arroyo Seco, the 5.1-acre site is zoned for government offices, institutional or low-density residential development. Before drafting a reuse plan for the site, the city recently requested “notices of interest” from government agencies, non-profits and private entities interested in developing the site. Applications are due before September 8, 2006 and must describe the proposal, qualifications and financial plan. Proposals will be reviewed as part of a community planning process to begin in September, with a final reuse plan expected to be reviewed by City Council next summer.
   

Last Modified 11/05/2007