The Arcadia City Council voted Dec. 17 to accept a consultant assessment that evaluates the feasibility of a Valley West Neighborhood Center and recommends next steps for site evaluation, financing and programming.

Deputy Director Emily Benvy introduced the report funded by a 2023 Housing and Community Development grant of $250,000. James Coles of Housing Tools summarized the engagement process: two in‑person visioning sessions (English and Spanish), five focus groups, and a community survey conducted from Dec. 4, 2024, to May 1, 2025, completed by 387 residents, including 121 Valley West residents.

Consultants identified four priority community values — sustainability; arts and culture; resilience; and community wellness — and recommended program elements tied to those values such as a community kitchen and pantry, mobile medical/dental services, flexible multipurpose rooms, community art projects, and emergency‑resilience features (battery backup and flood mitigation). Alex Salazar of Salazar Architect presented a site inventory that narrowed six locations to three candidates: a central 2.43‑acre vacant lot (Site 1), a 1.34‑acre former school site adjacent to Highway 101 (Site 2), and the 0.5‑acre Woodsman Hall site (Site 3). The consultants tested fitting an 18,500‑square‑foot building on each site and recommended that the city further evaluate long‑term control of preferred sites.

The report included a wide cost range — consultants gave a planning-level estimate from about $12 million to $77 million — which prompted council members to note the broad scale of possible outcomes and the need for additional funding work. Staff clarified the CDBG‑funded contract is complete; accepting the report documents deliverable completion for the grant and provides a basis to pursue future funding and goal‑setting.

Council action: Council member Matthews moved, and Council member Stillman seconded, a motion to accept the Valley West Neighborhood Center assessment. After brief public comment and council discussion about duplication of existing services and outreach to Spanish‑speaking residents, the motion passed with the council voting 'Aye.' Council directed staff to continue community engagement and research funding and operational strategies as next steps.

What happens next: Staff recommended convening a strategic planning group, pursuing funding strategies and continuing engagement with neighborhood groups and service providers to refine site selection and programming before any acquisition or construction decisions.