January 2025

Eminent Domain, 710 Highway

By Richard Myers
Posted: 02/13/2023

Our  meeting  on  February 17th , at 12 Noon, will feature a presentation by Brian Biery covering:
The history of the 710 Freeway extension and its impact on the community.
An update on the status of the corridor and the City's task force for the area and a

Discussion with panelists exploring their views on the following questions:

• What is your connection to this place and what was it before the freeway was constructed? 
• What were the impacts of freeway construction on the families who lived there?
• How should the land be used today?
• What might the role of compensation or reparations play in its development?

The panelists for our February 17th meeting are:

Alma Stokes –

• • Alma attended 1st AME Church which was located on Vernon
    Ave. and forced to move to N. Raymond Ave. due to 710 freeway
    construction.  
  • Over her long career she has worked as a teacher, a
    housing relocation specialist, as well as a municipal government
    administrator. 
  • She has lived in Pasadena since 1953 and raised her five
    children here.

Jose Luis Correa –

• • Jose Luis lived in the 710 freeway corridor as a
    child growing up in a diverse neighborhood.  His family was uprooted by
    eminent domain and subsequent freeway construction.
  • He currently works as a Senior Advertising Consultant for Hey Media, a local content
    marketing firm.

Tina Williams –

• • A native of Pasadena, a product of PUSD, a proud alumna
    of John Muir High School and PCC.
  • Ms. Williams was Field Representative to former District 1 Councilmember Jacque Robinson for 8 years.
    • Accomplishments during that time of service include: the Lincoln Avenue
      Specific Plan, Vision 20/20 Initiative, the Summer Skills program, the
      NOW program, and Flintridge's Apprenticeship Preparation Program. 
      Currently she is the Director of Community Engagement for Harambee
      Ministries.

As always Brian’s presentation will include audience participation and a chance to ask questions. Mr. Biery’s  previous presentations to our group can be found here:

Race in Pasadena and Early Black Pasadena History

Members and non-member register through the website to obtain the link to this meeting.

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