Voters Approve Glendale Retail, Housing Project

Voters narrowly approved a plan Tuesday to build a $264-million retail and residential complex in downtown Glendale known as the Town Center project.

Voters were asked to decide three zoning ordinances that would permit sites for entertainment, restaurants, housing, retail, parks and parking.

They approved the three measures by 51.8%, 51.4% and 50.9%

The Glendale City Council unanimously approved the 15.5-acre project earlier this year, but the matter was put before the public after a successful referendum campaign led by the owners of the Glendale Galleria, General Growth Properties.

Galleria owners argued that the project would create heavy traffic and require excessive use of public funds.

Supporters of the proposed development, which was formerly known as the Americana at Brand project, charged that the Galleria owners were motivated by concerns over competition.

The project developer is Caruso Affiliated Holdings.