From the Pasadena Star-News:
On its 10-year anniversary, upgrade for Paseo Colorado could be in the works
By Janette Williams, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/02/2011 10:05:34 PM PDT
The Paseo Colorado, which replaced the failing and much-hated Plaza Pasadena about a decade ago, is in line for an multi million dollar facelift. Discussions are in the preliminary stages that might also include a hotel to the Civic Center site that could attract visitors to the Convention Center Wednesday, September 28, 2011. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Walt Mancini
PASADENA - Ten years ago, almost to the day, the Paseo Colorado opened with a shower of confetti, Cirque du Soleil-style acrobats and a booming Andrea Boccelli soundtrack.
Now, changes for the Paseo, which could bring a hotel and a new focus on high-end retailers, appear to be in the works.
"We've been told there's going to be some major renovation," said Michael Ross, the Pasadena Convention Center Operating Co.'s chief executive officer.
"At this point we have not been involved, but we have heard a lot of talk about what some of the changes might be," Ross said. "We're excited to see what the plans might be. A right-sized hotel would be wonderful."
The $220million Paseo replaced the fortress-like 1970s Plaza Pasadena mall - long dubbed the "Corpse on Colorado" - which was demolished in 1999.
The Paseo's "urban village" of stores, restaurants, offices and apartments covers three city blocks on Colorado Boulevard and got plaudits for reopening Pasadena's civic hub to the Civic Auditorium and Convention Center across the way on Green Street.
In 2009, the Convention Center completed a $145million expansion and renovation.
Michael I. de Leon, the Paseo's general manager and representative on the PCOC, did not respond to several requests for comment. The mall, originally developed by TrizecHahn, is now owned and operated by Ohio-based DDR Corp.
However, Ross said, the PCOC has been told plans for Paseo Colorado are coming in the "near future."
"We have a very close relationship, because they're such a big part of what we do," Ross said. "Obviously, the more people that come to the Pasadena Convention Center, the more people go to Paseo Colorado to park, shop and eat."
Mayor Bill Bogaard said a hotel within the mall's existing footprint would be an "interesting addition," and upgrades would add vitality to the civic center, plus a likely increase in tax revenues and jobs.
...
Read the rest by clicking on
this.