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A concept rendering of Pasadena Studios’ 180 affordable micro units being built on Oakland Avenue.
Affordable micro unit development begins construction By Luke Netzley Pasadena Weekly Deputy Editor
Pasadena real estate development firm Community Builders Group has started construction on 180 affordable micro units at 280 N. Oakland Avenue in Pasadena.
It’s slated for completion in spring 2023. “It’s a win-win for the city,” Hart added. “A resident that’s able to stay in town to work and live can then spend money in their neighborhood, which helps small businesses. Coming out of the pandemic, small businesses have been wrecked. We feel that
The project is targeted to entry-level workers earning 30% to 60% of area median income and seeking modern, affordable housing near jobs and public transit.
“Pasadena is our home base, and at this moment in time the housing crisis is evident and it’s important to us that we use our skills in a way that benefits our local community. We feel that’s where we can make the biggest impact,” CBG co-founder Christian Hart said.
While the name “micro unit” suggests a small living area within the development, the units come with bathrooms, kitchens, and balconies as well as access to several shared spaces throughout the property, including a rooftop deck, atrium and gym. There will also be programs such as yoga classes, guided meditation, and movie nights to give residents the opportunity to come together and form a tightknit community.
Market research suggests that Pasadena Studios tenants will likely be either newcomers to Pasadena looking to grow their income and start a family, those who live in another community but commute to Pasadena for work, or residents who are lifelong Pasadena residents but struggling to pay rent due to rising prices.
The cost of rent that the tenants will pay is determined by whether they fall into the 30%, 50%, or 60% area median income level, but will ultimately be far lower than the market rate regardless of which category they’re in.
“Giving people a place to live that’s affordable, where they’re not spending 50% of their income on rent, allows them to have a lifestyle that can help benefit the community,” CBG co-founder Joe Seager described about the project. “That extra money is able to be used in the economy and create jobs. It has a lot of impact, not just for the residents that are fortunate enough to be able to live here, but also in the community because people are living and working in the same city where they’re spending their revenue.” this is another opportunity to further facilitate their recovery.” Pasadena Studios is a collaboration between CBG and Bridge Financial Advisors, a real estate development and advisory firm, and has been funded by tax exempt bonds and low-income housing tax credits at no cost to the city of Pasadena. Hart and Seager also worked closely with Councilmember John Kennedy, Mayor Victor Gordo, and David Reyes from the city of Pasadena to ensure that the project was completed without any soft funds from the city. “We’re using tax-exempt bonds from the state and the tax credits from the federal government so that we’re able to build at a very reasonable cost without requiring the city to put any money in. And that’s where we feel there’s a benefit not just to the residents, but also in the tax money coming back into the city,” Seager said. “We’re so lucky to be working with partners like the city of Pasadena, and to do it in our backyard where we can have this pronounced impact. It was a combination of factors that really helped all of us,” Hart explained. Hart and Seager founded Community Builders Group from an office on Lake Avenue in 1999 with the mission to provide quality housing for underserved communities and use their development projects to elevate neighborhoods through community-oriented design. “We want to use these next 10 years to structure deals that have affordable and market rate components because it really creates a viable opportunity for people to live in their local neighborhoods where they can utilize those resources, work close to home, send their children to school, and be able to be present for their children and their families. That has meaning for us and that’s what we want to accomplish.”
Stray bullet kills teen playing video games
By Luke Netzley Pasadena Weekly Deputy Editor
A13-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet while playing video games inside of his home on Raymond Avenue Nov. 20.
Iran Moreno was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A candlelit vigil was held on Nov. 22 at Villa-Parke Community Center that saw residents come together in his honor, and a floral memorial now grows outside the Moreno family home.
“We have lost an innocent life in Pasadena. This life was bright and precious; this young teenager had joy and purpose, and the future belonged to him,” said Councilmember John J. Kennedy in a statement on Nov. 21. “As diverse peoples and diverse communities, we must stand up and stand together. Justice must be done; it is up to us to speak out and not remain silent. If you know something, say something.”
The police believe that neither Moreno nor his family were the intended target of the shooting, and there is a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects responsible for the murder. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call Pasadena Police at 626-744-4241 or to report information anonymously by calling “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Moreno’s murder has been one of several tragedies that occurred during the recent increase in violent crime heading into the holiday season. Two people were killed in East Pasadena on Nov. 23.
“The safety of our city is my top priority,” Mayor Victor Gordo said. “I am working with my City Council colleagues, our city manager, police chief, fire chief, city staff and community leaders to address this violence as well as assist with the immediate needs of our community members who are deeply impacted. I ask all of you to keep our victims in your prayers as we work to stop this violence.”
Police initially received a call of shots fired at around 2:30 p.m. and officers arrived on the scene to find an elderly man in his 70s with several fatal gunshot wounds, then pursued an armed suspect. The suspect tried to carjack a vehicle then fled on foot, took a hostage at gunpoint, and was finally shot and killed in a shootout with police.
According to reports, Pasadena saw an 85% increase in gun violence in 2020, and in the last two years the Pasadena Police Department has confiscated more than 700 firearms from search warrants.
