The Economic Development Division works to create and preserve local businesses to benefit our city through jobs and sales tax revenues. We also encourage development opportunities to increase property tax revenues. Successful economic development efforts result in the overall improvement in the physical environment and quality of life for people who live and work in our city.
Bringing visitors and tourists to San Gabriel and extending their stay in town is another goal. We do this by promoting San Gabriel’s exciting and unique historic, cultural, and arts destinations and promoting its diverse attractions. San Gabriel has a concentration of authentic ethnic restaurants and food stores, fashion and designer jewelry stores, traditional and non-traditional health care and wellness facilities, financial institutions, electrical and plumbing supply, landscaping and gardening centers, automobile related businesses, and tour operators.
To learn about highlights of the city’s Economic Development Program from 1993 to the present, click here.
For information about Business Assistance Resources and contact information, click here.
San Gabriel At-A-Glance provides demographic information about our city. We are a dynamic and diverse community. Click here.
San Gabriel Boulevard Streetscape Plan – The Work Continues
Following the community workshop related to the San Gabriel Boulevard Streetscape Plan, on March 3rd, KSA, the landscape architect, has gone to the drawing board to come up with several alternatives for a streetscape design along one of most important boulevards. The designers are looking at the placement of street trees, pedestrian safety, lighting for safety and identity, neighborhood identity, signage, placement, and amenities for pedestrians and bicyclists. Stay tuned for another upcoming community meeting where staff and the designers will present design concepts based on the input received from the community.
Economic Development: Visual Identity, Logo and Wayfinding Plan
Hunt Design is making progress with the Visual Identity and Wayfinding Signage Program. Staff and the City Council have reviewed and approved the wayfinding sign locations for both motorists and pedestrians. After reviewing the three concept designs for the city logo, and hearing input from the community at 3 community meetings, the Redevelopment Agency has directed the designer to provide an update of the existing logo. The final drafts of the logo and wayfinding signs will be presented at a public meeting later in the summer. For more information, contact Robin Scherr at 308-2806 x5123.
Free Home Repairs for Seniors and Disabled- City Launches Handyworker Program
The City Council has approved a contract with Alta Pasa to provide handy worker services. Alta Pasa is a non-profit employment training organization based in Pasadena that has over eight years experience in providing handy worker services to Los Angeles County communities.
The program offers free minor home repairs and the purchase and installation of home secure devices and modifications that prevent falls and accidents. Program goals are to assist residents who cannot afford the cost of and are not physically able to perform do-it-yourself improvements and support independent living choices for aging and disabled people.
There are four types of improvements eligible: general home repairs including low-cost weatherization improvements; work required to eliminate a safety hazard; work needed to carry out other repairs necessary to correct code violations; home safety devices to support aging in place and prevent falls and accidents; and home secure devices to reduce crime.
The maximum grant amount is $5,000 per home. Under certain circumstances where the repair, device, or modification will make a significant improvement in the quality of daily life for the resident, a grant of up to $15,000 can be awarded.
Prospective grantees are low- and moderate-income seniors and disabled people of all ages who reside in the City of San Gabriel in a single detached home. Both homeowners and renters are eligible. Services are also available to low-income homeowners who do not qualify by age or disability, but have senior relatives or disabled dependents living with them. Income limits are based on household size and determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Documentation required includes family income verification, driver’s license or ID card, and utility bill to verify address.
An initial home visit is conducted to determine program eligibility and prioritize work. Alta Pasa representatives will then meet with City staff to obtain the necessary approvals, followed by an appointment to begin work on the home. Home repairs and installation of home secure devices and modifications can take from one to three days, depending on the scope of work. Upon completion of all work, a City staff member will conduct a final inspection. The final step is the completion of a customer satisfaction survey by the grantee. The start to finish process may take up to six weeks. The scheduling of jobs will be need-based and governed by City priorities. Urgent requests will be scheduled first.
All repair work is performed by Alta Pasa representatives with the exception of certain specialized items. To obtain an application or make an appointment, please contact Jean Zhouat Alta Pasa, (626) 457-1607 or jeanapcic@hotmail.com. Residents may bring their paperwork to the San Gabriel office located at 415 S. Mission Drive, adjacent to City Hall.
The Handyworker Program is managed by the City’s Economic Development Division. Funding for the program is through federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) via the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission. Click here to view a flyer. Redevelopment Agency
The San Gabriel Redevelopment Agency (“Agency”) is authorized under State law to undertake a wide variety of activities and program to promote the long term economic vitality of the community by eliminating blighting influences, encouraging private sector investment, and improving public infrastructure and facilities. Such activities include, but are not limited to, assisting in developing available properties for resale to a redeveloper, entering into contractual agreements with existing property and business owners where the Agency provides financial or other assistance, and preparing plans and technical studies to facilitate redevelopment.
In addition, the Agency is responsible for increasing, preserving, and improving the number of housing units for individuals and families at affordable rates. The Agency is required to set aside a portion of its tax increment revenues for this purpose, as well as, to undertake steps to ensure that there is an adequate number of decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the community available to these income groups in the proportions required by Redevelopment Law and dictated by the needs of the community.
The City Council adopted the East San Gabriel Commercial Development Project Area (“Project Area”) on December 21, 1993, by Ordinance No. 418. It represents the only redevelopment project in the City. The Project Area encompasses an estimated 143.75 acres located generally along the frontage of Las Tunas Drive between California Street and the eastern City boundary, and the frontage along San Gabriel Boulevard between Elm Avenue and Central Avenue. Click here to view map of the Project Area. Click here to view the Redevelopment Plan.
Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Homeowners and Renters
The Economic Development staff announces weatherization assistance for low-income homeowners and renters. The weatherization services are designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes and reduce harm to the environment. Believing that San Gabriel residents may not be taking advantage of this free program, Community Development staff would like to get the word out so that more San Gabriel residents could benefit from the program.
Energy savings may be achieved through such services as attic insulation, caulking, door weather-stripping, water heater blankets, heating/cooling system repair, limited appliance repair or replacement, and other conservation methods. Residents complete a household income worksheet; request a home visit to make a list of home improvements and sign a service agreement, schedule a weatherization appointment, and arrange work inspection after all work is completed. All of this is done by two providers:
- Maravilla Foundation, (323) 869-4550
- TELACU 1-800-906-3911
If you know of any households who could benefit from this service please give them the contacts above or have them call Robin Scherr, Housing & Economic Development Specialist at 308-2806 ext. 5123 or rscherr@sgch.org.
Design Guidelines for Redevelopment Project Area
Design standards and guidelines are meant to encourage development that accommodates its users’ needs while contributing to an attractive environment. For businesses, this leads to a vibrant setting, recognizing that good design is good business. Click here for the citywide design guidelines which apply in the redevelopment project area as well.
AB 987 – Database of Affordable Housing Units
AB987 requires redevelopment agencies to compile and maintain a database of new and substantially rehabilitated housing units developed or otherwise assisted with Low and Moderate Income Housing Funds. Click here for a summary of the affordable units in San Gabriel. The database is updated annually in conjunction with the preparation of the Redevelopment Agency’s Annual Report. Those projects that are fulfilling Inclusionary and Replacement Housing requirements of Community Law are noted accordingly.
TO CONTACT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION PLEASE CALL (626) 308-2806 (press # 4)
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