CITY MULLS PROPOSALS FOR BANK'S FACE-LIFT.

Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer

GLENDALE - A former bank building on Broadway is receiving interest from community groups and developers, and plans for the site range from a hotel to an Armenian cultural and social service center.

On Tuesday, the Glendale Redevelopment Agency discussed its vision for the building's future.

The building, at Louise Street and Broadway, was designed by architect W.A. Sarmiento and opened in 1956 as Fidelity Federal Savings and Loans. It was later occupied by the county Department of Public Social Services.

``I don't consider this to be a historic building,'' said City Councilman Bob Yousefian, who sits on the Redevelopment Agency along with his fellow council members. ``Is it a usable building? I think if you spend enough money on it, I think it's a nice space. It's very airy. It will be very nice.''

The city bought the 66,500-square-foot building from the county in 2001 for about $1.1 million, wanting to use it to enhance a corridor that links downtown to the East Broadway area.

The city has received about 10 proposals for the site. Lightview Enterprises LLC wants to build a business-class hotel; the Armenian General Benevolent Union wants a site for cultural and community services and affordable housing; another Armenian group named Homenetmen wants a similar center, but without the housing component.

Several developers proposed building housing on the site, and the YMCA suggested it could use it for both housing and community services.

Councilman Dave Weaver said he wants whatever goes into the building to reactivate the nearby commercial area.

``This might do it. We'll probably encourage more restaurants,'' he said. ``Maybe they would stay open for more than a few months before they closed down.''

The Redevelopment Agency gave the organizations and companies interested in developing the site 45 days to refine their proposals.

Alex Dobuzinskis, [phone]

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com