RETIREMENT HOTEL CLOSING; 80 TENANTS OUT.

Byline: EUGENE TONG  Staff Writer

BURBANK -- The imminent closure of a local retirement hotel has left its 80 senior-citizen residents scrambling to find new homes.

The Burbank Gardens Retirement Hotel at 2721 W. Willow St. will close next month after more than two decades in business. Residents were given a 30-day notice on Jan. 15.

``I was in shock,'' said Irene, a 91-year-old resident who just moved in two months ago and did not want to give her last name. ``I felt like the rug had been pulled down from under me.''

Orlando Clarizio Jr., one of the property's owners, said Wednesday it was a difficult choice to sell the assisted-living hotel after his father, Orlando Clarizio, died in March.

But the Burbank hotel had been losing money for several years, as his father held down rents and covered the deficit with income from other businesses. The Clarizio family also operates the Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel in Arcadia.

``When he died, it triggered a huge tax bill,'' Clarizio said. ``It's with regret that we need to close it down. It's a difficult process for us as well.''

Clarizio declined to say whether the new owners intend to operate a retirement home -- the building will be remodeled, according to the notice. But his staff is working to find new homes for the residents.

Representatives from other local retirement homes walked hotel halls Wednesday asking residents if they found a place.

``We're not going to throw anybody into the streets for sure,'' he said. ``We will stay there for the last resident.''

Irene moved into the hotel from San Marcos two months ago to be near her niece. It seemed like an ideal spot, being close to the hospital and with a comfortable room of just under 400 square feet with a balcony. The monthly rent, more than $2,000, included three meals and weekly housekeeping.

``I've been trying to make adjustments and I thought this was the place to do it,'' she said, resting on a lounger surrounded by old photos. ``I thought I was going to be here the rest of my life.''

She agreed the owners had the right to sell the property, but said they should have given more notice and should help pay for relocation.

``It would cost me $500 to move,'' she said. ``My niece will help me look for a new place and we're going to be on a very tight schedule.''

Clarizio said they will provide financial assistance to the few hardship cases, though residents are usually responsible for relocation costs.

``But if someone needs (moving help), we will manually do it ourselves,'' he said.

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

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