Old Pasadena’s Leaders Receive Honor

Old Pasadena and its leaders have been honored for the redevelopment and revitalization of the historical district.

Pasadena Mayor Chris Holden was presented the 1998 Skyline Award last week by Lambda Alpha International, a professional organization promoting a better understanding of land-use economics.

In particular, a public-private partnership of the city’s civic and business leaders, called Old Pasadena Stakeholders, was honored for creating and implementing a redevelopment and economic revitalization program for Old Pasadena. The partnership was commended for blending the old with the new--historical architecture with cutting-edge themes in marketing.

Old Pasadena dates to the 1870s, when the intersection of Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue was the center of Pasadena’s first commercial district. The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now comprises 20 blocks with 924,000 square feet of commercial space.