Rose Bowl, Central Library to receive additional funds
Pasadena's beloved Rose Bowl and the city's Central Library both scored big in legislation that officials say ensures both facilities will have the necessary funds to complete a number of needed infrastructure improvements.
Specifically, the legislation authored by Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, earmarks:
• $3 million for the Rose Bowl, which will be used for proper gas and water infrastructure improvements and emergency preparedness initiatives that look to allow for a safer experience and mitigate the threat of fire or an explosion harming the historical venue;
• $5 million for Pasadena's Central Library seismic retrofit project, which will assist with covering structural upgrades, improved building systems and ADA amenities that promote building access, inclusivity and usage.
• $10 million for the Sierra Madre Library to assist in infrastructure upgrades and accessibility compliance.
• $1.5 million to The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to assist in their pursuit of creating two trails that will provide public access to the Altadena Crest Trail, Chaney Trail and the Angeles National Forest's extensive network of trails.
The funding came from Ting's budget trailer bill, which followed the passage of the state's 2022-23 fiscal year budget last month, said Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, the former Pasadena mayor who helped push the legislation through to the governor.
Holden said he hoped the funding helps the Rose Bowl maintain itself as “the premiere place for people from all over the world to attend major events.”
The 100-year-old structure — long a key venue drawing big-name performers and events — needs all the help it can get these days.
The Rose Bowl currently is at a crossroads as it stares down at nearly $200 million in outstanding debt, the result of a renovation that stadium stewards hope will help the Rose Bowl maintain its place as “America's Stadium” for another 100 years.
A worldwide pandemic exacerbated the problem since the stadium was forced to cancel or move traditional events such as the 2021 Rose Bowl Game, which has served as an economic boon for the area.
A report from CAA ICON, a renowned financial consulting company contracted by the Rose Bowl Operating Co. says the organization's and city's debt obligation relating to the stadium “is the greatest weight” on Pasadena's future financial projections.
Having dealt with a pandemic that impacted the Rose Bowl's traditional events, local leaders expressed gratitude for the work of Holden and all who helped make the budget supplements possible.
“Thank you to Assembly Member Holden for his continued belief in the Rose Bowl's future by supporting this effort in Sacramento,” Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said. “And congratulations to the Rose Bowl Stadium, the RBOC board, the Legacy Foundation, and to the staff for continuing to find ways to find new opportunities to protect the future of this treasured place.”
Mickey Segal, president of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation's board of directors, and Dedan Brozino, the foundation's chief development officer, said in a joint statement the Rose Bowl continues to be an impactful driver of economic impact and tourism to the city, county and region.
“And funds like this are critical to maintaining a safe and exciting venue for visitors from around the world,” according to Segal and Brozino.
The city's library also is facing a financial crunch.
The cost of retrofitting the library could reach up to $111 million — $30 million more than was estimated in May when city leaders first began planning the next steps to bring the shuttered structure back to operating status.
Until it was closed last year by concerns over earthquake safety, the library remained a vital hub for community members, offering a variety of services to residents, including access to computers with high-speed internet, an AI lab and even sewing machines that allowed local librarians to sew face coverings for the community in the early days of the pandemic.