City of Pasadena Announces 710 Reconnection Communities' Oral History Project and Survey

An Initiative Capturing Stories Shaped by The State Route 710 (SR 710) Freeway Construction

PASADENA, Calif.- The City of Pasadena has begun the oral history component of the Historic Project for the City's 710 Stub Master Plan. The oral history portion, one of three parts, aims to capture and acknowledge the diverse stories of community members displaced by the SR 710 Freeway (710) construction project.

In order for Caltrans to create the path for the planned 710 in the 1960s and the 1970s, thousands of residents, local businesses, and community institutions were displaced through the eminent domain process.[Link]

Former residents and family members of those personally impacted by the 710 construction are invited to share their experience via an online oral history survey, which includes a Community Input Tool. The tool and survey are designed to capture data, stories, and lived experiences in an engaging manner. These stories and perspectives are important to compiling a comprehensive narrative of experiences from residents who were impacted by the construction of the 710. The City is committed to the inclusivity of its diverse community and understands that every story will contribute to the rich tapestry of the Historic Project's oral history.

The online survey will open for submissions on Monday, April 29, and will close on Sunday, June 30, 2024. The survey is available in a variety of languages including English, Japanese, and Spanish. It will cover a wide range of topics including, but not limited to:

• Family and personal experiences with the SR 710 Freeway Construction
• Historical significance of the freeway construction on the Pasadena community
• Environmental, social, and economic impacts of the construction project

The information collected in the survey will be analyzed and used to select candidates for preliminary interviews conducted by an experienced historian. Please visit Bit.ly/OralHistoryInput to get started.

Be the storyteller of your experience or of your family's and contribute to this important collective effort. Alternatively, you may contact our team by phone from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (626) 405-4848 to request a printed copy of the survey or to speak with the City's consultant working on this project. A voicemail recording will be available 24/7 if the public reaches us outside the hours mentioned above.