Glendale City Council Proposes Moving Armenian American Museum to Downtown

GLENDALE ”“ On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, Glendale City Council voted to authorize City Manager Scott Ochoa to enter an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with the Armenian American Museum to locate the developing project in downtown Glendale’s Arts and Entertainment District across from the Central Library.

The Armenian American Museum had been exploring the feasibility of building the Museum on City owned property across from Glendale Community College until late February 2016 when the Glendale City Council directed Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan and City Manager Scott Ochoa to formally present the new potential site to the Armenian American Museum Governing Board.

The Museum’s Governing Board held several meetings with Armenian American community organizations and representatives to consider the proposed location. It was concluded that the proposed 1.3 acres property in the heart of downtown Glendale near the corner of Colorado Street and Brand Boulevard would be an exciting and prominent location for the Museum. This location will enable the Armenian American Museum to realize its vision of a cultural campus that enriches the entire community.

During the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, City Manager Scott Ochoa presented the City of Glendale’s vision for how downtown Glendale would be the best home for the Armenian American Museum and create a partnership between the City and the Museum.

Councilmember Vartan Gharpetian noted the synergy the proposed site would create between the Armenian American Museum and neighboring Central Library, Museum of Neon Arts, and The Americana at Brand. “This will be a landmark,”