PURPOSE

At the request of the City Council, staff is providing an overview of the proposed consolidation and relocation of the Burbank and Glendale National Guard Armories and the expansion of Pacific Park.          

BACKGROUND

During the Introduction of Additional Agenda Items portion of the May 20, 2003 City Council meeting, it was a consensus request of the City Council for staff to provide an update regarding the proposed consolidation, relocation and renovation of the Burbank and Glendale National Guard Armories.

As part of the City Council adopted 10 Year Strategic Plan, Park, Recreation and Community Services staff was directed to explore the acquisition of the National Guard Armory Site and the expansion of Pacific Park for recreational purposes.  Specifically in Section D, 14, staff is advised to �Identify all potential sites of open space within the City and evaluate their potential use relative to meeting existing recreational needs. (Attachment I) This process will also encompass looking at areas of potential land acquisition (i.e. National Guard Armory) to re-use as recreational facilities.�  Also in Section D, 23 staff is instructed to �seek expanding Pacific Park to increase recreational facilities.�  (Attachment II)

In an effort to meet these 10 year strategic goals, staff has initiated dialogue with the City of Glendale, the California National Guard, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena Airport staff and local legislators.  On Wednesday, November 28, 2001 staff from the City of Burbank and Glendale, including City Managers Ovrom and Starbird, Assembly Member Dario Frommer, Major General Paul Monroe and other representatives from the California National Guard attended a meeting regarding the proposed project.  The goal of the meeting, which was arranged by Assembly member Frommer, was to establish each entities interest in pursuing a consolidated National Guard Armory serving both Burbank and Glendale and the relocation of this joint facility to a site at the Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena Airport.  In summary, the relevant outcomes of the meeting are as follows:     

�        The armories located in Burbank and Glendale are in extremely poor condition and in need of replacement.  The facilities are no longer adequate to meet the potential homeland security needs of Burbank and Glendale.  Regardless of the outcome of this consolidation proposal, both facilities are in need of replacement.

�        It is the desire of the National Guard to consolidate small, outdated facilities, similar to those in Burbank and Glendale, to larger, more efficient and modern facilities.  The proposed facility is similar to those currently being constructed in other communities in California and will meet the needs of the National Guard.

• The proposed site for the consolidated armory is currently owned by the Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena Airport, a Joint Powers Authority of the Cities of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena.  Additional discussion with the Airport is necessary and should begin immediately.

• The proposed site has been strategically selected and provides greatly improved access to transportation infrastructure for the National Guard.  Air, rail and freeway access surround the proposed new armory site.  Secured access, parking and equipment storage can be easily incorporated into the site design.  Representatives from the National Guard felt that it was an ideal location. 

• The cities of Burbank and Glendale have higher priority land use for the existing (to be vacated) armory sites.  In Burbank, the Armory is currently located next to a park that could be expanded to accommodate unmet recreational needs.  In Glendale, the Armory currently occupies space adjacent to a large library and adult recreation center at the intersection of Colorado Street and Brand Boulevard.  From an urban planning perspective, recreational or public use is a more appropriate for these armory properties.   

• Funding for new/consolidated armory projects typically involves both Federal and State funding.  Acquiring this funding will necessitate the development of legislation at both Federal and State levels. 

• Staff from all entities involved (Burbank, Glendale, National Guard and Airport) in the proposed armory project consolidation are interested in proceeding with the project.

Subsequent to this initial meeting, staff from the City of Burbank and Glendale conducted additional staff level meetings, telephone conversations and emails with the California National Guard, Airport and legislators in an effort to further refine the proposed consolidation.  The following is a summary of the relevant outcomes of those meetings, conversations and emails:

• It is the determination of the California National Guard that a minimum of 10 acres is necessary for the proposed armory consolidation. 

• It is the recommendation of the Airport Authority to approve selling a 10 acre parcel of land to the National Guard for the purpose of developing a consolidated armory.  It is the determination of the National Guard that the size and location of the proposed site meets their proposed needs. 

• It is a goal of the cities of Burbank and Glendale and the National Guard to improve homeland security.  It is believed that this proposed consolidation will enhance homeland security. 

• There are no further action letters issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) indicating that there is no latent contamination on the site for which the RWQCB requires further mediation. 

• The sale or transfer of state property requires legislative action.  Specifically, the Director of General Services for the State of California must receive authorization front the legislation to �exchange, lease or transfer specified parcels of state property, including specified armory property.�  New legislation or an amendment to existing legislation will be required to facilitate this proposal. 

During the summer of 2002, two articles concerning the proposed project appeared in local newspapers and a third story was available on the Los Angeles Times website. (Attachment III) Staff was also directed by the City Council, as part of the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Work Program (Section D, 2), to continue to �work with the City of Glendale, National Guard and legislators on a proposed Armory Consolidation Project.�  During the October 10, 2002 meeting of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board, staff also provided an overview concerning the proposed project.  Needless to say, the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board was extremely supportive of the possibility of adding an additional 3.75 acres to the current Pacific Park site.  

ANALYSIS

The proposed armory consolidation involves demolition of two existing armory sites and the development of a new consolidated site.  The existing Burbank Armory is located on land owned by the National Guard in Burbank.  The existing Glendale site is located on land currently owned by the City of Glendale and leased to the National Guard.  The following is brief overview of the properties:  It should be noted that the approximated land values below are for budgetary discussion purposes only and are not based on actual land value appraisals nor are they intended to indicate that any negotiations have taken place with property owners.

�        Burbank Armory (Attachment IV)  Currently located at the intersection of Screenland Drive and Valhalla Drive in Burbank.  Total site size is approximately 3.75 acres.  Total approximate land value is $3.3 to $4.1 million. (based on 165,100 square feet at $20 to $25 per) Proximate uses include a park, cemetery, light industrial, commercial/retail and residential.  As currently proposed, the property would be acquired by the City of Burbank and utilized for park and recreation purposes. 

�        Glendale Armory (Attachment V)  Currently located at the intersection of Colorado Street and Louise Street, near Brand Blvd.  Total site size is approximately 1.7 acres.  Total approximate land value is $4.5 to $5.3 million. (based on  75,000 square feet at $60 to $70 per)  Proximate uses include an adult recreation center, library, commercial/retail and residential.  As currently proposed, the long term lease with National Guard Armory would be terminated and the property would be returned to the control of the City of Glendale.

�        Consolidated Armory (Attachment VI)  Proposed location at the Burbank Airport on San Fernando Road at Hollywood Way.  Total size is approximately 10 acres.  Total approximate land value is $8.7 to $11 million. (based on 436,500 square feet at $20 to $25 per)  Proximate uses include airport, industrial and manufacturing.  As proposed, this property would be acquired by the California National Guard.

While total approximate land values are estimated between $16,500,000 and $20,400,000 it is anticipated that both federal and state funding will become available and necessary for the completion of this project.  In addition to land acquisition costs, it is also estimated that several million dollars of, yet to be determined, development costs will also be necessary for the completion of the consolidated armory and the expansion of Pacific Park. 

As stated in the Background section of this report, the first step in the legislative process for the proposed project is obtaining authorization for the Director of General Services for the State of California to �exchange, lease or transfer specified parcels of state property, including specified armory property.�  On September 26, 2002 Senate Bill 1607 was signed by the Governor of California providing the General Services Director with the necessary authorization.  (Attachment VII)

The next step, and perhaps the most difficult step in this entire process, will be the procurement of funding for this project.  Ideally, a combination of state, federal and local funding can be developed which will minimize the direct fiscal impact on the City of Burbank, Glendale and California National Guard.  As directed by the City Council, staff will continue to work with the City of Glendale, the California National Guard and legislators in an effort to develop funding opportunities.  Staff has included this item as part of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Department�s Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Work Program. 

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact as a result of the recommended action.    

RECOMMENDATION

It is the recommendation of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Department that the City Council note and file this report.  It is further recommended that City staff continue to work with the City of Glendale, the California National Guard, and legislators in an effort to secure funding for the consolidation and relocation of the Glendale and Burbank armories and the expansion of Pacific Park. .

MSF: ca

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