Council OKs Construction of Shopping District Garage : Parking: The 173-space facility is approved despite the objections of some merchants and property owners who don’t want to help finance the $1.6-million project.

The Glendale City Council on Tuesday agreed to build a $1.2-million parking garage to serve the Montrose shopping district but postponed awarding a construction contract for one week.

Despite protests from about a dozen property owners and merchants, the council unanimously approved a plan to build a two-level garage with 173 parking spaces on the northwest corner of Broadview Drive and Market Street. The total cost of the project, including land acquisition and buildings, is $1.6 million.

The city negotiated for almost four years with merchants, many of whom had been lukewarm to the idea of forming an assessment district to pay a portion of the costs. But members of the Montrose Shopping Park Merchants Assn. now say the need for additional parking is critical to the success of the quaint village.

Under an agreement approved Tuesday, property owners will pay $493,800--about a third of the cost of actual construction, said George A. Miller, public works director. Owners will be assessed based on how close their property is to the garage and the number of parking spaces needed for the stores’ employees and customers.

The city is paying the balance of the costs, including an additional $251,000 allocated Tuesday because of rising construction and development costs.

City engineers more than a year ago estimated the cost at $1 million. But the lowest of 10 bids is almost $1.2 million.

The council voted 3-2 to delay awarding a contract to the low bidder, Shenk Developers, until city officials are assured that the project will be completed by Nov. 15.