City makes changes to Americana park usage

CITY HALL — The City Council and Redevelopment Agency approved amendments Tuesday to a development agreement that regulates a two-acre open space that will sit within the Americana at Brand project.

The park space is slated to be used for community events as well as Americana-sponsored events. The amendments confirmed that a master schedule will be used to regulate what events will go on and who will be allowed to use the facility.

“In order to have a park for everybody to enjoy, we need to have reasonable rules,” developer Rick Caruso said.

Community organizations that want to hold an event at the open space will need to contact Caruso Affiliated Holdings, and any dispute about what can be held will be discussed by a committee of two Americana representatives and two city representatives.

During the public-hearing portion of the meeting, some residents voiced their opposition to the project.

Glendale resident Margaret Hammond questions the way the facility will operate.

“This will not be a park, it will be nothing but a front for the condominiums Mr. Caruso is building,” she said. “[The facility is] aimed to ensure the success of a commercial venue.”

Glendale resident Herbert Molano also addressed the council, asking if the area would adequately serve as a community facility.

He questioned if residents would be able to go and have a picnic or lay out to tan at the facility, which he said would be done at a normal park.

Councilman Bob Yousefian noted that though the facility was not exactly what had been suggested as a public park outlined in an earlier city strategic plan, it will be open for community use and events.

“It’s not maybe as large of a park, but at the end of the day it tried to incorporate 90% of what the strategic plan wanted,” he said. “I am very happy with the staff and developers who have worked this thing out.”

Mayor Dave Weaver added that the park would be well-maintained and operated.

“[The developer] has everything to lose by not maintaining this,” he said.

Caruso thanked the city staff and everyone who worked with the Americana project.

“Everybody had the city’s best interest and the community’s best interest at heart,” he said.

The Americana is slated to open in Spring 2008.

QUESTION

Do you think that the public should be free to use the park in Americana at Brand? E-mail gnp@latimes.com or write to News-Press and Leader Community Forum, 111 W. Wilson Ave. Suite 200, Glendale, CA 91203. Please include your name and tell us your hometown and phone number for verification purposes only.