Kimpton Hotel project at YWCA building squashed by Pasadena officials

Pasadena’s City Council initially voted in April to hold off on the 181-key Kimpton Hotel development after developer KHP Capital Partners, the Kimpton-affiliated equity firm funding the construction, requested a subsidy from the city.

Council members voted again on Monday — and decided to stop the project altogether.

Kimpton received approval for its hotel at the site of the historic YWCA building in August, but requested a more than $30 million waiver of rent and parking fees over a  50 year period last month, the Pasadena Star-News reported.

At the time, city officials voted to pause the project.

But the need for a subsidy, in addition to residents’ concerns about the hotel, ultimately led officials to strike down the deal.

Council members are now investigating other potential uses for the site, according to the Pasadena Star.

Monday’s vote didn’t set the guidelines for finding alternative options. Instead, the council sent the matter back to the Economic Development and Technology committee to create standards that would meet the public’s vision for the center.

A citizen’s task force is expected to be formed in the next month, according to the Pasadena Star. [PSN] — Subrina Hudson