By Susan Motander
Monrovia City Manager Oliver Chi recently walked a certain representative of this publication through the Station Square. This single largest Public Works project in Monrovia history is nearing completion with the dedication of the park at the Square set for Jan. 23, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The park itself features a large, fully-equipped “bandshell” and a large children’s play area. Fittingly, the play area has train-themed play equipment. The park is also the starting point for three distinct walking trails of varying lengths, .4 mile, .6 mile and .8 mile paths have been laid out in around the entire station square complex, with the two longer paths including a stroll through the drought-tolerant display garden.
In addition to the park and the three paths, the complex features a long promenade area around the as yet to be restored Historic Santa Fe Depot. The city hopes that ultimately, once the rehabilitation of the station is complete, a high-end restaurant will anchor the complex, according to Chi. Such a restaurant could then use part of the open space around the depot and the depot’s currently dilapidated loading dock as outdoor dining areas, Chi speculated.
With its bioswale to catch and retain rain water, and its drought-tolerant gardens, the station square complex is meant to be an example of responsible stewardship, Chi explained. Part of the funding for the garden came from a grant for just such a purpose.
Chi also explained that the city is working to bring in tenants to the business locations nearby that will attract travelers to Monrovia. “We have already brought a winery/brewery (Rev) to the area,” Chi said, explaining the city planning department is working with that tenant. He also noted that ground will soon be broken for “The Parks at Station Square,” a high-end apartment complex being developed by Samuelson & Fetter adjacent to the Gold Line Station.
With is huge open space and delightful strolls, Monrovia hopes that when the depot restoration is complete, its stop on the Gold Line will become The Destination stop along the Gold Line.
