Civil Municipal - May 2024

ARCADIA’S ORIGIN STORY Step back in time to 1903, when Elias ‘Lucky’ Baldwin, a visionary gambler and prominent real estate magnate, laid the foundation for Arcadia’s growth. Acquiring extensive parcels of land, Baldwin’s ambitious aspirations gradually materialized, shaping the trajectory of Arcadia’s evolution from its inception to its status as a thriving municipality in Los Angeles County. Following his passing in 1908, his daughter, Anita Baldwin, took the reins of his legacy. Through strategic land sales and development during the 1930s and 40s, Anita propelled Arcadia into a new era as the city grew exponentially. Arcadia’s equestrian heritage is evident in its celebrated racetrack, originally constructed by Lucky Baldwin in the early 1900s. While the original track succumbed to fire, Anita Baldwin’s subsequent Art Deco-style racetrack, built in the 1930s, remains a cherished landmark. It is one of only four racetracks left on theWest Coast today and is home to renowned events. RESIDENTIAL MIXED-USE SPACES Arcadia’s appeal lies in its excellent schools and desirable residential environment, attracting families and developers alike. In 2024, Arcadia Unified School District was named the #1 best school district in the entire Los Angeles Area, #4 School District across California, and in the top 40 nationwide by Niche. The revitalization of the train station into a modern light-rail line has spurred more development and rejuvenation through Arcadia’s downtown. The increased accessibility to major destinations has transformed the surrounding area into a highly desirable location for developers and individuals seeking a small community lifestyle with easy access to urban amenities. “We are seeing high development interest in repurposing our commercial areas into residential mixed-use spaces,”Mayor April Verlato explains.“It’s maximizing a prime location by transforming former office or business spaces into mixed-use areas where people can live, work, and socialize seamlessly.” 27 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 05 ARCADIA, CA