Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), and South Pasadena Mayor Sheila Rossi will join community leaders on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. to call for an independent state audit of Caltrans. The press conference will be held at 2042 Alpha Ave, the site of a Caltrans-owned home in South Pasadena.
Concerns Over Property Management
The coalition of elected officials and local tenants is seeking a formal investigation into Caltrans’ oversight of properties originally acquired for the now-abandoned State Route 710 extension.
Community members have pointed to a range of systemic issues regarding the management of these historic assets. The call for an audit aims to address several critical areas:
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Living Conditions: Reports of inadequate maintenance and deferred upkeep leading to unsafe environments for current tenants.
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Fiscal Oversight: Significant state financial losses linked to deferred maintenance and below-market rental rates.
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Vacancy Issues: Prolonged property vacancies that persist despite the region’s urgent housing needs.
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Administrative Transparency: A lack of clarity and accountability in the agency’s property management practices.
Seeking Systemic Reform
The press conference will outline how these ongoing concerns necessitate increased transparency and state-level oversight. Leaders intend to demonstrate that the current management framework has failed to protect both the residents and the integrity of the local neighborhoods.
The group will advocate for an independent audit as a necessary step toward resolving long-standing disputes between the state agency and the communities of South Pasadena and Pasadena.
Event Details and Participation
Local residents and media are invited to attend the briefing to hear directly from those impacted by Caltrans’ property management.
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Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
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Time: 10:30 a.m.
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Location: 2042 Alpha Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
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RSVP/Media Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
