Glendale to consider concept for capping 134 Freeway for parkland

In what could be the mother of all park projects in Glendale, city officials tonight are slated to discuss capping a portion of the Ventura (134) Freeway for open space and other amenities.

Called “Space 134,” the mega project would extend from Central to Glendale avenues and incorporate bike paths, trails among roughly 20 acres of open space within minutes of the most park-deficient area of the city.

While only a concept, the City Council will be weighing in on the proposal as Glendale officials attempt to secure grant funding for a full Environmental Impact Report.

In addition to supporting a major hunk of green space near Glendale’s core, the project would also include a transit stop on the east-west corridor between the North Hollywood Red Line and the Pasadena Del Mar Gold Line, according to a city report.

If that doesn’t already sound ambitious, consider the “what if?” scenarios for the site, including a convention and events center, sports facilities and other amenities.

The proposal is part of the Southern California Assn. of Government’s “Compass Blueprint Grant Program,” created to promote walkable communities and smart-growth along existing and planned transit stations.

The agency has already helped fund studies of similar “freeway cap park” concepts for Santa Monica, Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles.

The Glendale City Council is slated to discuss the Space 134 concept at its meeting at 6 p.m.

--Jason Wells, Times Community News

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