Project passes its first scrutiny

CITY HALL — Construction on a $39-million, 68-unit affordable-housing complex could begin in Glendale as soon as summer 2008. City officials approved the first steps of the project's design on Tuesday.

Advanced Development & Investment Inc. — which was behind the city's Metropolitan City Lights and Metro Loma affordable housing projects — has proposed the new 37,000-square-foot apartment facility, which is slated for 3673 San Fernando Road.

Acting as the city's Redevelopment Agency, members of the City Council voted unanimously to approve the initial designs of the project.

The income group serviced by the project are households at or below 60% of the area median income, Deputy Director of Housing Peter Zovak said.

Minimum income will start at about $18,000 per year for a two-person household and max out at around $48,000 for a five-person household, Zovak said. Monthly rent rates will likely range from about $500 to $900, he said.

One obstacle for architects in the proposed design of the property was finding a way to preserve the essence of an old restaurant, which sits where the project will be built.

The Algemac's Restaurant, which has long been closed, reflects the 1950s style of Googie architecture and is an important part of Glendale, said preservation activists who attended the agency's meeting on Tuesday.

"We started to work with the original developer about two years ago … describing how we were going to work together as a team to conserve the defining features of this rather unique coffee house," said Arlene Vidor, president of the Glendale Historical Society.

The society and the Los Angeles Conservancy worked with the developer on the project, she said.

While the restaurant will be demolished, pieces of architecture from Algemac's that reflect the Googie style — characterized by its sharp angles and futuristic style, influenced by 1950s car culture — will be kept on the building to maintain the ambience of the original structure.

"I'm really happy that we've accomplished what to me is a very attractive design around a historic element," Councilman John Drayman said.

The project will likely be funded through tax credits, city subsidies and the developer, though the amount the city would contribute has not been determined, according to a city staff report.

Mayor Ara Najarian said he believed the project would be a positive step for Glendale.

"I think it's going to be built very well," he said. "We know the developer. We know the contractor — I'm fully confident that they're going to do a great job."

Advanced Development & Investment president Salim Karimi said the most important aspect of this project is what it means to the people who will live there.

"It will provide 68 hardworking families a place to call home at a rent that is affordable," he said.

"The most important thing is the people we are serving."

The project will come back before the Housing Authority in July.