Glendale Advances Plan for Complex

The Glendale City Council approved zoning changes Tuesday allowing developer Rick Caruso to build a $264-million retail and residential complex downtown.

The unanimous vote clears the way for Caruso, who created the Grove next to the Farmers Market in Los Angeles, to build housing over retail space at the development, named Americana on Brand. The 15.5-acre outdoor shopping center is expected to rise across the street from the massive Glendale Galleria.

Caruso has been locked in a bitter battle with Galleria owner General Growth Properties, one of several neighbors who protested the zoning changes approved Tuesday night. The company, which claims it could lose up to $4 million annually because of lost access to the Galleria, still could challenge the Americana’s environmental review in court.

Caruso, who has filed an antitrust suit against General Growth, faced another foe in City Councilman Frank Quintero, who previously opposed the Americana project.

But before voting in favor Tuesday, Quintero said, “We’re not going to delay anything tonight by voting no.”

The 5-0 vote received a standing ovation from the audience.

“Mr. Quintero, although we have disagreed, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your vote tonight,” Caruso said.

The development would feature a two-acre park, condominiums, apartments, restaurants and retail shops.

Mayor Bob Yousefian said the city of Pasadena makes $30 million more in gross revenues each quarter than Glendale.

“Guess what: Part of it is us going to Pasadena,” he said.

Councilman Dave Weaver suggested that the project still might face legal hurdles from the Galleria.

“We’re going to have a lawsuit, it’s inevitable.... But the project will come,” he said.

A spokesman for the Galleria, Arthur Sohikian, said he could not comment on whether General Growth would file a lawsuit.

“We will continue to strive for a project that connects and works for downtown Glendale,” Sohikian said.