Mark R. Madler
Saying that it will help revitalize the Magnolia Park neighborhood,
the City Council approved a loan to turn a vacant building into a
bakery and cafe.
The $790,000 Magnolia Boulevard and Hollywood Way would come from
the city's general fund.
While pleased that Raul Porto wanted to open a second location of
his popular family-owned bakery, the council members were also
cautious because Porto has yet to purchase the building.
"We believe the type of business you run in Glendale makes sense
for this location," said Vice Mayor Jef Vander Borght at Tuesday's
council meeting.
Porto was at the meeting but was not asked any questions by the
council members. He is seeking to purchase a 14,000- square-foot
former drug store that has been vacant for more than six years and
remodel the interior, replace the roof and make other improvements.
Attracting new businesses is part of an overall plan by the city
to boost the presence of the Magnolia Park neighborhood.
An action plan being implemented by the city calls for addressing
parking issues, retail leasing, landscaping; bike racks to be paid
with transportation funds; and branding Magnolia Park with year-round
banners and continuing with special events such as Holiday in the
Park.
Focus groups and a resident survey done in October 2003 found that
a restaurant with outdoor seating was among the most preferred
businesses needed in the neighborhood.
Councilman Dave Golonski said that if the bakery does open he
hopes it will become a meeting place that creates a spillover of
customers for other businesses in the area.
"This is the use the community has been looking for at that
particular location -- to bring some life and revitalization to
Magnolia Park," Golonski said.
Terms of an agreement with Porto's include the Burbank location
being at the same level as the Glendale location; the business will
be open within nine months from the start of the improvements;
one-tenth of the loan amount will be forgiven for each year Porto's
stays open; and to participate in a business improvement district if
one is formed in Magnolia Park.
