Legacy discusses
plans for property

By Thomas C. Hanson

PASADENA--William A. Shubin of Legacy Partners, the firm that signed a letter of intent to purchase the church's headquarters property, talked to community members about plans for the property Feb. 24 in the Ambassador Auditorium.

The event was the first of several in which Legacy will seek input from the community about future use of the property.

Legacy said it intends to establish a working partnership with the city of Pasadena, neighbors, merchants and the Worldwide Church of God "to ensure a world class property in a world class city."

The firm wants to create a top quality mixed-use environment that preserves the quality and heritage created by the WCG.

The firm must follow guiding principles adopted last summer by the City of Pasadena in its West Gateway Specific Plan.

One principle calls for the preservation "of the significant historic buildings and gardens on the Worldwide Church of God property, including Ambassador Auditorium."

Legacy will explore opportunities to retain the Auditorium as a performing arts venue.

Historical buildings will stay, but Legacy will study whether some buildings built solely for the college still have a possible use.

Mr. Shubin indicated that he saw little use for the former Grove Terrace men's dormitory, the one-sixth mile running track, and the library, Fine Arts and Science buildings.

The main area of development will be along Green Street and St. John Avenue and less intensely along Orange Grove and Del Mar boulevards.

Some streets the college covered over may have to be reopened to allow access to some buildings.

"We want the property to look like it hasn't changed, only gotten better," Mr. Shubin said.

  
COMMUNITY INPUT--William A. Shubin of Legacy Partners answers questions about Legacy's potential use of church headquarters property in the Ambassador Auditorium Feb. 24. [Photos by Ron Grove and Thomas C. Hanson]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999