Historic Monument status for the Glenarm Steam Plant was granted by the City Council on Monday, February 4, 2008.  Pasadena Heritage nominated the building last year, during Pasadena Water & Power’s 100th anniversary, along with three other DWP facilities which were approved for landmark status in January.  The Steam Plant decision was delayed because of concerns about the future use of the building by Art Center College of Design.  However, once lease and option agreements were ironed out with Art Center, the building’s monument designation passed the Council with a unanimous vote.  Art Center had not opposed the nomination.

Pasadena Heritage is very pleased with the acceptance of the nomination.  The Steam Plant is a unique piece of Pasadena history and surprisingly elegant for a building of such practical use.  The fountain, a gateway icon at the city’s southern boundary, was innovatively designed to function as the cooling tower for the generating equipment. It is also part of the Historic Monument designation.

 Source:  Pasadena Heritage Newsletter