Baldwin Avenue Street Improvement Project

The activity in Arcadia's Baldwin District largely centers around Baldwin Avenue, which is home to fantastic local restaurants with diverse cuisine, businesses and shops for all your needs, and mature Ficus trees that line the roadway. Baldwin Avenue will soon be receiving important upgrades to its roadways, traffic signals, and sidewalks, helping improve a key gateway into Arcadia. As part of the planned upgrades, the mature Ficus trees along Baldwin Avenue will need to be removed.

While these Ficus trees have brought valuable shade and presence to the Baldwin District for decades, a thorough evaluation by a Certified Arborist has revealed that their roots have become destructive to local infrastructure, as well as both public and private property. Over the years, root intrusion has necessitated frequent repairs or replacements of water and sewer lines, while root growth has led to uplifted sidewalks and curbs. In addition, many business owners in this area have expressed their ongoing concerns about roof and gutter maintenance, as well as staining and damage to sidewalks along storefronts. As a result of these ongoing issues, the City will need to remove 46 Ficus trees along Baldwin Avenue, which have been identified as safety concerns and are causing disruptions to the city's infrastructure.

As evidenced by Arcadia's designation as a Tree City USA, the City is committed to maintaining a robust urban tree canopy. However, it has become clear that retaining these trees is incompatible with the need to protect local businesses, and ensure safe streets, accessible sidewalks, and underground infrastructure in this area. In recognition of the value these trees bring to our community, Arcadia will replace them with new plantings.

The Baldwin Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project began on Monday, August 19, affecting Baldwin Avenue from Huntington Drive to Camino Real Avenue. The project will be carried out in two phases: the first from Naomi Avenue to Camino Real Avenue, and the second from Duarte Road to Huntington Drive. Tree removal will begin on Monday, September 16.

We appreciate the community's understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure that Arcadia remains a safe and beautiful place for everyone. If you have questions about the project details and timeline, contact the Development Services Department - Engineering Division at (626) 574-5411 or email at [email protected] for more information.