Reclaiming Our Blocks: What the Lake & Villa Redevelopment Means for DENA
- Jason Hardin
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
Pasadena is changing—and for once, change might finally be working for us, not against us.
In a bold new move, the City of Pasadena has officially taken ownership of the long-vacant property at 434–470 N. Lake Avenue, right at the corner of Lake and Villa. This corner has seen years of disinvestment, but now it’s set to become a mixed-use, community-centered development that could reshape the North Lake corridor—and the future of our neighborhoods.
But let’s keep it real: not all development is good development. That’s why it matters that this project is being built with the people in mind, not just profit.
🧩 A Community-Driven Vision
Instead of luxury condos with sky-high rent and zero culture, this redevelopment is focused on what DENA actually needs:
Affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, and people on fixed incomes
Mental health services and case management to support community healing
Job training & education spaces to break cycles, not just fill units
Green space and wellness centers for real quality of life
Retail incubators to help small, local businesses plant roots and grow
From craftsman-style design to transit access and sustainability, every part of this project is being shaped by public input and community values.
This ain’t just gentrification dressed up. It’s a shot at reparative development—and we need to stay tapped in.
🖤 Why This Matters to MADE IN DENA
At MADE IN DENA, we’ve always said that we’re not just from the city—we’re for it. So when a project promises affordable housing, cultural preservation, and opportunities for local entrepreneurs? We’re all in.
This is the type of project where:
We could host pop-ups that turn into permanent storefronts
We could lead youth entrepreneurship workshops
We could collaborate on trauma-informed programs through Life of a Boss
We could create murals or installations that reflect our history, our faces, and our future
This development could be the blueprint for how we build without erasing. How we grow without pushing out. How we honor the legacy of DENA while leveling up for the next generation.
🗣️ What You Can Do:
Stay informed. Know what’s happening in your neighborhood.
Speak up. When public input is requested—show up and speak truth.
Support local. Our survival depends on it.
Envision more. Don’t just watch things change—be part of shaping the future.
📍 The Bottom Line
This is more than buildings going up. It’s lives being restored. It’s about what gets built—and who gets to belong once it’s done.
Let’s make sure North Lake stays ours, and that this corner becomes a place where DENA pride isn’t just represented, but respected.
We’ll keep you updated right here at MADE IN DENA as this project moves forward—and we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure our community shows up, shows out, and owns a piece of this future.
Jason Hardin
Founder – MADE IN DENA / Life of a Boss
“We don’t just wear the city. We fight for it.”
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