Monrovia Market Building Closer to Becoming Route 66 Automotive Museum

A rendering of the project. – Courtesy rendering / City of Monrovia

The Development Review Committee unanimously approved the proposed adaptive reuse of the former Monrovia Market building. This past week, the Development Review Committee considered an entitlement application by Bowden Development to repurpose the former Monrovia Market building (located at 525 S. Shamrock Ave.) into a Route 66 automotive museum and special event venue with a small residential component.

The museum would showcase several 1950 classic cars and memorabilia owned by the late Fred Bowden and could be rented out for private parties and gatherings on a limited basis. The project proposal also includes the addition of two residential loft units on the second floor.

The project will now be considered by the Planning Commission on Sept. 11. The Planning Commission will consider several entitlements and land use actions to facilitate the proposed use, including a General Plan and Zoning Amendment that would designate 525 S. Shamrock (Monrovia Market) and 721 S. Shamrock (Flying A Gasoline Station) into the PD-66 (Planned Development-Area 66) with new development guidelines to encourage the preservation, restoration and adaptive reuse of these Route 66 roadside buildings.