Community: Businesses keep Glendale beautiful
A streamlined building that houses a real estate group and law firm as well as a senior facility that artistically balances windows and balconies were recognized at Glendale Beautiful’s annual awards luncheon in mid-April.
The purpose of the awards program is to recognize the local businesses and explain why they contribute to the beauty of Glendale, said Roberta Medford, awards program chair and acting president of Glendale Beautiful.
“I’m sure people go by and see nice buildings, but they might not know the details like the Arbitrage RE Group and ESQ Law Firm was a liquor store for many years and they saved some of the historical, nice, decorative features even when the city told them not to,” she said.
Beauty doesn’t just happen, she added, it happens because it gets rewarded.
“It’s the reason why Glendale is just a really attractive city, and I think it contributes to the economy. I think people want to buy a house in Glendale, and they are willing to pay a premium because it is a very well-maintained community,” she said. “There are other groups in town, but I think Glendale Beautiful helps with civic pride by giving out these awards.”
Winners were Arbitrage RE Group & ESQ Law Firm, Kukery LLC, United Oil Gas Station, Cypress Senior Living and Scholl Canyon Estates. A special award was presented to the city of Glendale’s Community Parks & Services and Maryland Park.
City Councilwoman Paula Devine referred to the winners as “jewels in our city.”
“This awards program shows we take pride in our ownership, in our buildings and our homes — even a gas station — how fabulous is that, that it would get an award,” she said.
It also serves as a motivation to other owners to maintain the beautification of their buildings, homes and sites, she added.
“I think that is really important in keeping Glendale beautiful and I really am so proud of this group, that it continues to give awards for this and continues to motivate our city. That’s wonderful,” she said.
The buildings are nominated by local residents, Medford said. A list of addresses is compiled and Myra Kendall, who is awards chair, her husband, Walter, and Medford drive around to judge the entries.
“We would love more community involvement,” Medford said. “It’s a good way to let business owners know what they are doing right. It’s easy to complain about ugly buildings and we do have them, but even nicer, is to give positive reenforcement for something very nice.”
To submit a nomination, email Medford at medford@ucla.edu.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.