GLENDALE : Specialist Chosen for Old Town Expansion

Glendale’s Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday signed a six-month agreement with a Los Angeles specialist in retail development to guide plans for renovation and redevelopment of a two-block area south of The Exchange outdoor shopping mall.

JMB/Urban Development Co., in association with the TolkinGroup, was given the exclusive right to begin marketing a development plan and seek financing for expansion of the city’s Old Town shopping district. The expansion calls for renovating and replacing buildings in an area bounded by Brand Boulevard, Harvard and Louise streets and Broadway.

Development would be similar to The Exchange--a combination of shops, restaurants and offices in old and new buildings--except that city officials are hoping to attract some new discount stores as major tenants. Marketing surveys have indicated that discount stores would draw more shoppers to the city.

Methods of financing the proposed expansion have not been specified but are expected to combine public and private funds.

On another front, the city on Tuesday kicked off its marketing campaign to rename the downtown redevelopment zone “Uptown.” A one-day festival featuring sidewalk dining, music and entertainment was held along the main streets in the downtown area promoting “Uptown” as the place to shop, dine and be entertained.