San Gabriel Valley : An All-American Gem of a City
The suburban Mecca of Monrovia is living up to its motto: “Gem City of the Foothills.”
Over the weekend, the city of 38,000 was named one of 10 All-American Cities by the National Civic League.
“It’s absolutely fabulous,” said Mayor Robert T. Bartlett, who was among Monrovia’s 36 delegates who packed their bags to attend the finals in Cleveland. “This is confirmation from the rest of the nation we’re on the right track in Monrovia and all our efforts are worthwhile.”
The civics organization, founded in 1894 by a group that included Theodore Roosevelt, presents the award annually.
The winners chosen from 145 communities ranged in population from tiny Jemez Springs, N.M., with 456 residents, to the greater Louisville area, with a population approaching 1 million. Monrovia was selected for revitalizing its downtown area, cutting crime and launching a program to help at-risk youth. The city also added about 1,000 new jobs in recent years by luring new businesses.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
