The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (Construction Authority) on Aug. 22 held a dedication ceremony for the recently completed Arcadia Station, the second in a series of dedications to celebrate the upcoming substantial completion of construction for the nearly $1 billion, six-station light rail project from Pasadena to Azusa. The event was attended by elected officials at all levels of government, transportation officials and hundreds of community stakeholders. The 11.5-mile Foothill Gold Line project from Pasadena to Azusa, which broke ground in June 2010, is on time and on budget to be turned over to Metro for pre-revenue service in late-September. Metro anticipates starting pre-revenue service this Fall and passenger service in 2016. An opening date has not yet been determined.
“Completing the Foothill Gold Line on-time, on-budget to Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, and Azusa took an exceptional partnership,” stated Construction Authority CEO Habib F. Balian as he recognized those in attendance that played key roles on the project. “We are thankful for the local leaders who lobbied and rallied for this project, and partnered with us to plan a project that would transform communities for generations to come.”
Dozens of local officials were in attendance at the dedication. Speakers included U.S. Representative Judy Chu; State Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez; Metro Board Member and Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich; Metro Board First Vice Chair and Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Board Member, Duarte City Councilman John Fasana; and Foothill Gold Line Board Chairman Doug Tessitor. The CEOs of the Foothill Gold Line, Habib F. Balian, and Metro, Phil Washington, were also in attendance and spoke of the historic occasion. Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic welcomed everyone to the dedication and served as the event’s emcee.
“Many of you probably know that railroads have played an important role in the history of our city,” stated Mayor Kovacic during his welcome remarks. “Trains brought people who settled here and others who came to partake in our Racetrack. Today, we celebrate the rebirth of rail in Arcadia and the important changes it will bring to our downtown.”
The Arcadia Station is located in the heart of downtown Arcadia, at the intersection of First Avenue and Santa Clara Street. Fully revealed to the public for the first time at the dedication, the station features unique artwork created by local public artist Michael Davis. The artwork, titled “Arcadian Zephyr,” is inspired by natural and designed elements from two of the City of Arcadia’s major destinations: the racetrack at Santa Anita Park and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. The end results include a 22-foot-tall weathervane with bronze sculptures that reference plants and animals from the Arboretum and racetrack; stainless steel panels featuring galloping racehorses in a tribute to the landmark frieze panels at Santa Anita Park; sandblasted black granite and signature green painted benches with a lucky number ‘7’ hidden in the framework; and, in a tribute to the City’s famous symbol and bird, a glass canopy designed after the eye of a peacock feather.
