DEVELOPER RETHINKING MALL EXIT SUPPORTERS TALK CARUSO INTO KEEPING OPTIONS OPEN.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Days after angrily exiting the $264 million open-air Town Center mall project, developer Rick Caruso has had a change of heart - asking City Hall to allow the development to remain on track for now.

An overwhelming number of calls and e-mails from supporters asking him not to abandon the downtown project convinced him to reconsider, Caruso said Saturday.

``All I've agreed to is to keep our options open, and that's what everybody has been encouraging me to do,'' Caruso said. ``It's been pretty compelling, to be honest.''

The retail, entertainment and housing complex is proposed for 15.5 acres adjacent to the Glendale Galleria. Caruso already has invested $5 million and four years in his design.

In a letter sent Friday to Glendale City Manager Jim Starbird, an official of Caruso Affiliated Holdings requested the project be placed back on the agenda for City Council consideration.

The city has agreed to do so, with the project's environmental impact report, business terms and zoning changes to be considered April 20.

Caruso supporters Councilmen Dave Weaver and Rafi Manoukian said they were glad the award-winning developer was leaving the door open to return to the project.

``I'm cautiously optimistic that this can happen for the city,'' Weaver said.

Caruso opponent Mayor Frank Quintero questioned how Caruso would resume his role as developer after publicly announcing he was pulling out.

``I take a man at his word,'' Quintero said. ``When he states in a public meeting that he is out, then I assume that he's true to his word.''

Caruso stalked off the project Tuesday after the City Council balked at bypassing a troublesome zoning rule. The rule gives near veto power on Town Center zoning changes to project neighbor and rival Glendale Galleria.

Glendale Galleria officials Saturday refused to say if they would contest zoning changes on a resurrected Town Center project.

``Mr. Caruso's continual bait-and-switch approach diverts attention from the details of the project, whether it's closing down streets, the rising public costs, and shrinking public park,'' said Arthur Sohikian, spokesman for Galleria owners General Growth.

``He conveniently got up to the podium and withdrew from the project right before the item that discusses the business terms, which reveal public costs are soaring over $77 million to return only $49 million. Would you walk away from that deal?''

Although circumstances have not changed since Tuesday, Caruso said he was now willing to let the process play out.

Caruso, who returns from vacation next week, said he planned to sit down with city leaders to discuss options before he makes any final decisions.

``Before I agree to get back into that, we'll have to structure a deal,'' Caruso said. ``We're not going to get back into the game and have them wavering on us again.''

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com