MARYLAND CHANGES AHEAD AIM IS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON THE AVENUE.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - City officials are planning changes along Maryland Avenue to improve traffic flow and draw more visitors to businesses in the Exchange theater and restaurant district.

Car circulation at the Exchange parking structure on Maryland Avenue, which accommodates about 1,700 cars daily, will be altered so two lanes will allow for entrance at the north end and two lanes will let cars out on the south end, the redevelopment agency agreed Tuesday.

``I think obviously the centralized ticketing is the way to go, but I also think one way north and one way south will make a big difference,'' Councilman Frank Quintero said.

The city will also put in two short-term parking spaces on the east side of the street to accommodate deliveries during the day and provide space for valet service in the evenings.

Also, a chunk of the median in front of the south entrance to the garage will be removed for $50,000 to allow for a left-turn lane. Currently, cars exiting the south entrance are only able to turn right.

The garage will also continue a central cashiering service - at a cost of $45,000 per year - that was implemented two weeks ago to allow visitors, particularly to the theater, to pay in advance and avoid transactions at the booths that back up cars into the garage.

Depending on the success of the service, the city will consider putting in an automated system to eliminate the need for parking attendants.

``In the two weeks we did this, 20 to 25 percent of the customers took advantage of the central cashiering, but we will be more aggressive as we proceed,'' said Traffic and Transportation Administrator Jano Baghdanian. ``it reduces the number of transactions at the exit.''

Funding for the changes has yet to be identified.

Councilman Rafi Manoukian said the changes would make it a little easier for visitors, but he was concerned about the general economic health of the area along Maryland between Broadway and Wilson Avenue that is home to restaurants, coffee shops, theaters and retail stores.

``Economically that area is not working,'' he said. ``I don't know whether it's the parking or something else ... but how are we going to promote the economic viability of the area?''

The street has had its fair share of tenant turnover with the Cuban Bistro restaurant shutting down in June - just months after it opened. Marmalade Clothing Co., a boutique that opened in January 2003, is also closing.

Bill Holderness, the developer of The Exchange, said he supported the pre-pay system as well as allowing for a left turn at the southerly driveway, but he didn't believe only allowing cars to enter at the north and exit from the south would help.

``I personally think the two exit and two entrance is a nightmare,'' he said.

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com