Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pasadena council approves resolution to co‑apply for $12.5 million EDA grant for convention center expansion
Summary
The City of Pasadena voted July 7 to co‑apply with the Economic Development Corporation for a $12.5 million Economic Development Administration disaster supplement grant to expand and renovate the convention center. Supporters praised the EDC’s work; one councilmember said she would vote no and criticized pressure on colleagues.
The Pasadena City Council voted July 7 to name the city co‑applicant with the Pasadena Economic Development Corporation for a $12.5 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) disaster supplement grant to expand and renovate the Pasadena Convention Center.
Council member Dowell moved to approve the resolution and Councilwoman Van Howe seconded; the motion passed after a short discussion. Emmanuel Guerrero, a council member who praised the city and EDC staff, thanked the EDC team for preparing the 150‑page application and for pursuing innovative funding sources to support the convention center, disaster response capacity and workforce training. "We appreciate what we understand. This is an effort. This is a step in the right direction," Guerrero said.
Christina Womack of the Pasadena Chamber told the council the Chamber provided a letter of support for the EDA application and called the collaboration between business, government and education a chance to showcase Pasadena as a community that supports business. "The Chamber was proud to provide a letter of support in this effort," Womack said.
Councilwoman Valerio registered that she would vote no and later reiterated concerns about how votes are solicited from colleagues from the dais, saying such requests can influence or intimidate members who wish to speak for themselves. "If they wanted to vote no, they would speak up for themselves," she said during the discussion. Valerio's objection did not prevent the resolution from passing.
The resolution instructs city staff to participate as a co‑applicant in the EDA application; the council did not vote on project design or a funding match at this meeting. Next steps include finalizing the application materials and submitting them to the EDA according to program deadlines.
