Welcome to this year’s first edition of Highlighting Downtown Arcadia. This column will highlight some of the exciting things coming to Downtown Arcadia in 2019.
First off, the large mixed-use project at First Avenue and Wheeler will finish construction and open later this year. The development adds 38 new apartment units and 16,000-square-feet of retail, restaurant and office space to the heart of Downtown Arcadia. Leasing of the commercial units has begun with tenant announcements, interior build outs, and business openings all expected before the year’s end.
In other exciting news, the new restaurant Trendy Thai 2 Go has just opened at 18 N. First Ave. (formerly Stacked Sandwich) with a remodeled interior, great food and more seating. Another restaurant, Shabu Lin, is about to open in the 4,000-square-foot space at 101 S. First Ave. (formerly Zapata Vive). Their interior build-out looks beautiful and we are excited to get our first taste of their delicious Korean shabu-shabu cuisine. More exciting tenants and development projects are currently in the works and will be announced in coming months.
The Downtown AIA will be implementing several new streetscape beautification projects in the area in 2019. Planning has started on a project to install year-round decorative tree lighting on First Avenue. While details are still being finalized, the project is expected to include replacement of the current palm trees up-lights a more contemporary and noticeable lighting system. The project will also include new decorative lights on canopy trees at focal intersections along First Avenue. Another exciting project planned for 2019 is bringing new public art into the district. Possibilities include utility box art, murals along alleyways and walkways and other low-cost, high-impact art projects. The Downtown AIA also plans to install additional Downtown Arcadia branded bike racks in the area this year as well.
In addition to new streetscape enhancements, Downtown Arcadia will also continue to host great events throughout the year. The annual Patriotic Festival will happen again this summer with live music, food trucks, activities for kids and lots of patriotic and summer-themed fun. In October, the Downtown Arcadia Halloween Harvest Festival will be back with more costumed fun, food, drinks, trick-or-treating and prizes. In November, the Breeders’ Cup returns to Santa Anita Park and discussions are under way to once again host a prerace event in Downtown Arcadia on First Avenue. Then in December, the Downtown Arcadia holiday market is scheduled to return with indie vendors, artisanal wares, food, drinks, gifts and great holiday fun.
The Downtown AIA Board is excited for another great year in Downtown Arcadia. We look forward to seeing you soon at an upcoming Downtown Arcadia event or one of the many great restaurants, shops, breweries, gastropubs and nightlife venues in the area.
— Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association Board of Directors
