Medical Office Complex to Open in Arcadia

Arcadia may soon have an answer to its glaring shortage of medical office space.

The City Council has approved plans for developers VG Property Investments to build a medical office complex near Arcadia Methodist Hospital at Colorado Place and Huntington Drive, the site of the former Westerner Motel.

Council members voted 3-1 in favor of the proposed development, with Councilman Mickey Segal absent. Councilman John Wuo cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns over drivers making left turns from the complex's parking structure onto Colorado Place. 

"There seems to be a need for medical office space and [the complex] is going to greatly improve an otherwise vacant lot," Community Development Administrator Jim Kasama said.

Plans call for a a 3-story, 19,995 square-foot medical office building, and a three-story 19,441 square-foot medical office building. Around 3,000 square feet of ground floor space in the second building may be used for a restaurant or coffee shop. A 4-level parking structure will hold 400 vehicles. 

The final phase of the projects includes a 3-story, 24,819 square-foot office building with 1,600 square feet of ground floor space that may be used for a restaurant.

Plans have been in the works for the building for two years, though construction likely won't begin until later this year, officials say.

"We're happy to have approval. Finally," said architect David Hung of Pacific Design Group. 

Mayor Bob Harbicht says he welcomes the new addition to Arcadia.

"The project itself is a very well-designed project," he said. "They did a great deal of effort to make sure it has as little impact to the surrounding area as possible."