As this discussion continues with point and counterpoint, the level of uneasiness grows among the merchants and residents of Montrose. They need answers and they need answers soon.
The Glendale City Council, to their credit and at the insistence of newly elected Councilman John Drayman, has agreed to schedule public meetings with the "shopping park stakeholders." The purpose of the meetings is to solicit public input regarding the future direction of this unique piece of Glendale. The intent is to listen and then formulate a development plan for the area.
I would hope that the final directive is one that favors the retention of what we already have — a rarity.
Montrose has a personality of its own and does not need to update or to emulate a character other than what it is blessed with presently. It is akin to the comparison of running versus strolling.
To the south of Montrose, in the center of the city of Glendale, competition and business makes for a hasty world, and the need to be constantly on one's toes. You go from point A to point B in as short a time as possible and this is to the benefit of the city, this is called running.
But every city needs a refuge, where getting form point A to point B in a hurry is not important. This is called strolling. This is called Montrose. Every large city needs both, running and strolling areas.
The sense of "taking it easy" is an element that adds to the charm of Honolulu Avenue. The shop fronts and outside eateries only enhance that feeling. Where else in Glendale can one dawdle? Honolulu Avenue is even laid out in such a way that drivers in their cars cannot speed through town. The avenue forms an easy going and continuous "s" and doesn't straighten until it leaves the business section of the shopping park. Just think of it — a place in Glendale where pedestrians are safe.
