City agrees to buy 1000 S. Central for $24 million to create park in South Glendale; funding plan uses DIF, Measure A and school project transfers

The Glendale City Council on June 24 approved a purchase and sale agreement to acquire the property at 1000 South Central Avenue (the former Joanne Fabrics site) for $24,000,000 plus approximately $700,000 in estimated closing costs and broker commission, with the intent to develop the site as a park serving South Glendale.

Onik Bolanikian, director of Community Services and Parks, said the site is roughly 2.3 acres with a building footprint of about 0.83 acres and would add about 2.39 acres of parks/open space to an area the city’s 2015 parks needs assessment identified as park‑poor. Staff said the parcel could host active and passive recreation and that they plan a request for proposals (RFP) for a consultant to lead community outreach and develop multiple conceptual designs; staff estimated conceptual options would be presented within 9–12 months following close of escrow.

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