San Gabriel Valley

MARCHING ORDERS: The Pasadena Marine Corps Reserve Center will be renovated or rebuilt on its existing site.

The center is expected to be repaired or rebuilt as part of the 1996 Military Construction Appropriations Bill, which was signed into law by President Clinton last week.

The measure orders the Navy to submit a report by Jan. 15 explaining whether it plans to repair or demolish and rebuild the structure, which was built in the 1940s.

“Finally, mission accomplished,” said Pasadena Mayor Bill Paparian, a former Marine who has lobbied Washington politicians with other community leaders to save a place that he says is an integral part of the city.

It has fallen into disrepair, with cracks in its foundation, leaks in its roof and an overloaded electrical system.

“Just as a matter of civic pride, if nothing else, we really wanted to see this taken care of,” Paparian said. “They’re kind of stoic over there so they never complain about it. They’ve always made do, and that’s a typical Marine attitude.”