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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Approval to Submit Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Application for 1000 South Central Avenue Park Project
1. Resolution approving the submission of a grant application through California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in the amount of $6 million for the 1000 South Central Avenue Park Project (“Project”); and authorizing the City Manager, or a designee, to conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary to complete of the Project.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Item
Approved for August 12, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides grant funding for the acquisition or development of land to create new public outdoor recreation. The LWCF currently has $35 million in available funds, with a maximum grant request of $6 million per local agency. Staff is requesting approval to submit a grant application for the 1000 South Central Avenue Park Project (“Project”) through for $6 million. The grant requires a minimum of 50% matching funds from the City.
On June 24, 2025, the City Council authorized the purchase of real property located at 1000 South Central Avenue (the “Property”) with a goal to increase park and recreational space in south Glendale. The 2.39-acre site includes a 33,818 sq. ft. one- story commercial building constructed in the early 1960s and is currently vacant.
Escrow closed on the acquisition July 25, 2025.
Based on recent park design and development project costs, and accounting for inflation and escalation, staff estimates total cost for the Project to be approximately $20 million. The LWCF grant would provide essential funding to support the park’s development as an inclusive, nature-driven public amenity. 4c2
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RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing staff to submit a grant application through State Parks and Recreation for the LWCF in the amount of $6 million for the Project; and authorizing the City Manager to conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the Project.
ANALYSIS
The LWCF, administered through State Parks and Recreation, provides grant funding for the acquisition or development of land to create new public outdoor recreation opportunities, enhancing the health and wellness of Californians. The LWCF currently has $35 million in available funds, with a maximum grant request of $6 million per local agency.
Eligible LWCF Recreation Features include:
Athletic courts and fields
Community, demonstration, and botanic gardens
Dog parks and fixed features (e.g., obstacle courses)
Open space and natural areas
Outdoor performing arts and outdoor gyms
Picnic areas, playgrounds, walking trails
Skate parks, swimming features, jogging loops
Eligible Major Support Amenities include:
Restroom buildings
Parking lots
Lighting and landscaping
On June 24, 2025, the City Council authorized a purchase and sale agreement for purchase of the Property for $24,000,000, plus an additional $700,000, which includes estimated closing costs and broker fees.
The Property was formerly the location of JOANN Fabric and Crafts. The 2.39-acre site is developed with a one-story, 33,818 sq. ft. commercial building that was built in the early 1960s; the building is currently vacant. Escrow closed on the acquisition July 25, 2025.
Based on recent park design and development project costs and factoring for inflation and escalation, staff is estimating total Project cost at approximately $20 million, based on an outdoor park featuring passive and active recreation.
The LWCF Grant Award project selections will be announced in early 2026. Thereafter, Post-Selection Federal Requirements, including NEPA and Section 106 compliance, will take about one year to complete; then, a Notice to Proceed will be issued. If the Project is selected for funding through LWCF in early 2026, all eligible planning costs incurred 4c3
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pre-award (e.g., design and permits) will be eligible as matching funds and reimbursable.
Projects funded by the LWCF program only support outdoor recreation. Should the City wish to repurpose the existing commercial building for indoor recreational purposes, the building will need to be treated as a separate project.
Repurposing the existing commercial building for indoor recreational use presents retrofitting challenges due to its inadequate ceiling height and the costly structural upgrades needed. First, the height from the building’s floor to the bottom of its roof deck is 18 feet, four inches. An indoor gym with basketball courts requires a height clearance of at least 25 feet. Additionally, the building has a structural post every 40 feet, with glulam wood beams at a two-foot depth for the roof structure. If an open floor plan is desired, spanning even half the width of the building (approximately 80-90 feet), steel beams between three-to-five feet in depth would be required, further reducing the available height of the space. Retrofitting the building to meet these requirements would involve significant costs and uncertainties. A new, low-cost building alternative could ultimately be a more cost-effective solution.
Initial community outreach conducted on July 19, 2025, reveals that 8 out of 10 respondents prefer outdoor “Passive Recreation” (e.g., natural areas, shade, and trails) and “Active Recreation” (e.g., sports courts and fields) over “Facility Upcycling” (e.g., indoor gym and community center), with 48% expressing interest in more passive, natural areas and programming suitable for all ages. While this initial outreach does not reflect a representative sampling of City residents, it does provide an indication of the public’s preferences with respect to desirable amenities; and, overwhelmingly, respondents expressed a preference for active and passive outdoor amenities.
Considering the LWCF grant program’s focus on outdoor recreation, the challenges of retrofitting and upcycling the existing commercial building, and the community’s preference for outdoor, nature-based amenities and features (based on initial outreach), staff recommends that the application prioritize the following outdoor recreational amenities, both active and passive:
A large lawn or multi-purpose field
Natural landscaped areas
Shade trees
Picnic pavilions
Picnic tables and benches
Barbecue areas
Sports courts
Walking paths
Exercise equipment
A children’s playground
Shade structures
Restroom facilities and off-street parking spaces
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Staff is drafting an RFP for the design of the Project that will align with the scope outlined in the grant application, should it be granted. The Concept Design Phase is estimated to take nine-to-twelve months, during which time both the community and City Council will be engaged in discussing options for development of the park.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Staff conducted initial community engagement at Cruise Night on July 19, 2025, through a survey with 44 responses prioritizing future park use:
Passive Recreation (natural areas, shade, trails): 21 votes (48%) Active Recreation (sports courts, fields): 15 votes (34%) Facility Upcycling (indoor gym, community center): 8 votes (18%) Follow-up questions were:
#2 Why is this your top priority?
#3 What do you most want to see at this park?
#4 What is your zip code?
Respondents emphasized the need for green, passive space in south Glendale. Many communicated the desire for more serene, shaded, and scenic spaces, while also expressing interest in inclusive programming for both children’s and seniors’ physical and mental health. Many also supported a mix of active uses, and several highlighted the desire for water features (e.g., ponds, splash pads, or a pool). Few expressed interest in an indoor facility.
Overall, the community expressed excitement for this new park opportunity.
There will be more community outreach as part of the design process. This initial outreach consisted of only a brief survey to gauge community interest before the grant application was prepared.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Should the grant be awarded, staff will return to the City Council to request appropriation of the grant funds and matching funds. The grant requires a minimum of 50% matching funds from the City, which will not have an impact to the General Fund. Matching funds will be funded through the Measure A Fund, Parks Mitigation Fee Fund, and/or other grant opportunities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
Staff will determine level of CEQA review once plans are drafted for the development of the new park.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements. 4c5
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ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. Do not approve filing a grant application to the LWCF in the amount of $6 million for the Project, which would limit staff’s capacity to advance park development on the Property, given current budget limitations.
2. The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Onnig Bulanikian, Director of Community Services & Parks Prepared by:
Tereza Aleksanian, Deputy Director of Community Services & Parks Cindy Camberos, Assistant Project Manager
Julianna De La Cruz, Senior Administrative Analyst
Joseph Gonzalez, Park Planner
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
None.