The Monterey Park City Council approved the Garfield Village Specific Plan after several meetings with business and property owners in the South Garfield area. City staff conducted several meetings and a walk-thru of the area to obtain input from those individuals directly affected by the Specific Plan.
The Garfield Village Specific Plan anticipates the future development of a light rail station as part of the Gold Line Extension just south of the Garfield Village area in the City of Montebello. In anticipation of this future transit station, the plan envisions a walkable, bikeable commercial area that serves the transit users. In addition, the Garfield Village area serves as a neighborhood commercial center for existing residents to the east and west of the Garfield Avenue corridor.
The objectives of the Garfield Village Specific Plan are to:
- Encourage revitalization of the neighborhood business area;
- Improve mobility in the area and connectivity to the surrounding neighborhoods;
- Guide property owners and businesses to help them improve their properties and buildings; and
- Describe public improvements that the City hopes to make in the area.
The City Council allocated $900,000 to improvements in the Garfield Village area that implement some of the improvements stated within the specific plan. The $900,000 will be used to build a new center median, add corner bump-outs, mid-block pedestrian crossing, and street trees. These improvements address traffic circulation, traffic slowing, connectivity, and aesthetics.
Recent improvements include a mid-block crosswalk, new medians, and landscaping within the medians and trees along the parkway.