City Pursuing Plans to Upgrade Main Street

With an eye toward the commercial success of renovated, pedestrian-oriented downtowns such as Old Pasadena, city planners are pushing a proposal to add more museums, shops and offices at the northern end of Main Street.

The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art and upscale MainPlace mall already occupy Main Street’s upper reaches, from 17th Street to the Garden Grove Freeway. But officials at Monday’s City Council meeting expressed an interest in adding more businesses--to be complemented by outdoor sculptures and other landscaping.

Aside from the museum and mall, the strip is dotted with small businesses, offices and some motels.

City planners said they will return to the council by August at the earliest with resolutions to rezone the two northernmost sections of Main Street to allow such businesses as gyms and art galleries. Hospitals, thrift shops and service stations would be some of the businesses prohibited.

Residents from surrounding areas supported the plans--which could take 20 years to realize--but also expressed some concerns. They included keeping out undesirable businesses before the rezoning is completed and setting aside some land as park space.

“I know that it’s not revenue-producing,” said nearby resident Michele Morrisey, “but we should address open space.”

City officials acknowledge that they have a number of obstacles to overcome. Traffic at the northern tip of Main Street is near capacity, and there is little demand for more upscale stores in the area south of MainPlace.