FirmoGraphs keeps its clients up to date on capital plans of interest for long-term business development. We help our customers use this information to gain a competitive advantage and improve proactive conversations with their clients. We recently processed the latest capital spending plan by the city of Pasadena, California. Here are our observations.
In the CIP covering the 2025–2029 fiscal years, the city of Pasadena, California, detailed plans to spend $1.57 billion on capital programs, an increase of 56% from $1.01 billion in its 2024–2028 CIP. The current CIP includes significant investment in seismic upgrades, energy storage, and water infrastructure. The table below breaks down the city’s planned capital spending by business area from its official CIP programs.
*Numbers are Rounded
The 2025–2029 CIP marks a bold shift in Pasadena’s infrastructure agenda, prioritizing safety, sustainability, and modernization. At the core of the increase is a $195.9 million investment in seismic retrofitting and renovations for the historic Central Library, signifying the city's dedication to both heritage preservation and life safety. Meanwhile, the expansion of battery storage through Energy Storage System Phase II—funded at $129.3 million—positions Pasadena as a regional leader in clean energy and grid resilience. Major water system upgrades like the Sunset Reservoir Improvements ($72.1 million) further underscore the city’s commitment to essential services, public health, and regulatory compliance.
Beyond these flagship efforts, nearly every department sees targeted growth in funding, ensuring long-range operational efficiency, climate responsiveness, and neighborhood-level infrastructure renewal. The substantial 56% increase in total CIP funding reflects both local and external momentum to equip Pasadena for the future.
The City of Pasadena manages capital planning through a transparent and integrated process:
1. Department Proposals – City departments propose capital needs based on condition, urgency, and goals.
2. Interdepartmental Review – Engineering, finance, and executive teams review and score projects.
3. Public Engagement – Draft CIP is shared with the public for review and feedback.
4. Council Approval – The final CIP is adopted as part of the city’s annual budget by the City Council.
This process ensures alignment with citywide priorities and long-term service goals.
Founded in 1886, Pasadena is one of California’s oldest incorporated cities and is known for its architecture, science institutions, and civic culture. Home to Caltech, the Rose Bowl, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena is a key innovation and heritage center in the Los Angeles region.
Source: https://www.cityofpasadena.net
FirmoGraphs curates data about U.S. public sector markets, including transportation improvement programs, regulatory developments, and other critical information. We help our customers use this information to gain a competitive advantage and improve proactive conversations with their clients. We’d be glad to meet with you and help your company sort through the wealth of information in improvement programs and other publicly available documents. Feel free to request a meeting and review the data live on our Business Intelligence platform.