Friday, June 20, 2025

Volunteers to Canvas Pasadena Commercial Areas For Relocation Spaces On Behalf of Fire-Displaced Altadena Businesses

Community teams will search for affordable relocation spaces along four major corridors

Fourteen volunteer teams will canvas commercial corridors from June 22-29 to help businesses displaced by the Eaton Fire find affordable relocation spaces.

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce’s “Back in Business” program will deploy volunteers along Fair Oaks Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, North Lake Avenue and Washington Boulevard. Teams will contact property and business owners directly to identify underutilized commercial spaces outside traditional real estate listings.

“Businesses are an essential part of a community,” said Julianna Delgado, Ph.D., the program’s director and a Pasadena Planning Commissioner. “Their return—through compassion, commitment, and cooperation—is at the very core of successful rebuilding.”

The grassroots initiative launched in January and has contacted more than 200 businesses. The program offers personalized support including needs assessments, relocation guidance and assistance with permits and funding resources.

Volunteers will focus on finding spaces south of the Eaton Fire burn area that could accommodate displaced small businesses and nonprofits seeking temporary or permanent relocation.

The volunteer effort supplements work by pro bono commercial realtors and planners exploring financial incentives to make leasing more accessible. Many displaced businesses lost their facilities and face mounting debt after the fire.

Nearly 100 volunteers from neighborhoods, including Bungalow Heaven and the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, have joined the initiative.

Businesses or residents interested in participating can contact Delgado at (626) 354-8797 or julianna.delgado@sbcglobal.net, or Judy Matthews at the Altadena Chamber of Commerce at (626) 794-3988.