INFORMATION
Alternatives
Background Info
Current Status
Links
News
Organizations
Read the R.O.D.
Route Map

Citizens United to Save South Pasadena was founded in 1989 and remains South Pasadena's foremost grassroots group opposing the 710 Freeway extension.

Back in 1964, organized and consistent citizens' opposition to the freeway had begun and, by the mid-80's, this opposition had gained impressive momentum and statewide recognition. In the general election of November 1986, which witnessed a turnout of over 80 percent of the electorate in South Pasadena, 71 percent voted against the 710 freeway extension. (This was, and remains, an unheard-of majority on practially any subject in any election!).

Citizens United drew upon the prevailing public opinion for support and membership in 1989, when it became apparent that Caltrans officials had never intended to build anything but the Meridian or Meridian Variation route during the entire 40 years of negotiations with South Pasadena. Consequently, the founding principle of Citizens United in 1989 remains the same today: No freeway -- of any size or in any location -- should be built in South Pasadena.

Citizens United began by hiring a lobbyist, Loretta Newman, who lives in Washington, D.C. It was through Ms. Newman's efforts that South Pasadena gained its biggest ally -- the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Trust was chartered by Congress in 1949 and is charged with the task of finding and protecting historic monuments and places.

In 1989, South Pasadena was placed on the Trust's list of endangered historic places, and remains listed for the 5th consecutive year, an unparalleled event, since no previous entity has ever made the list for more than one year.

The National Trust continues to list South Pasadena because the stakes here are very high. If freeway construction is begun, much less completed, the entire city of South Pasadena, along with the historic El Sereno (where many generations of Mexican-Americans have lived and formed a stable community), and the historic western segment of Pasadena, will fall. In addition, a good portion of San Marino will suffer a decrease in property values, although that city's leadership, possibly now feeling insulated by South Pasadena, has chosen to ignore the crisis.

Citizens United has so raised the consciousness of South Pasadenans that, in 1991, for the first time, the City Council released an official document announcing its opposition to the 710 Freeway extension. And, in addition to our regular city attorney, we now have a special freeway attorney who represents us in this fight.