Later today, the Glendale City Council is poised to sign off schematic designs for an $18.5-million makeover of the city's Central Park.

The approximately 76,000-square-foot park, located at the northwest corner of Colorado and Louise Streets, is being reconfigured to make space for the Armenian American Museum, which would redevelop a portion of its existing green space.  The proposed project will account for the lost space by expanding the park's footprint onto what is now a parking lot behind the Glendale Central Library, increasing its size to more than 92,000 square feet.

SWA Group's approved design concept, called the "Grand Steps," would emphasize the park's entrance off of Brand Boulevard.  Visitors would exit a pedestrian paseo onto the eponymous grand steps, leading to an elevated great lawn.  The great lawn - as well as a secondary green space between the library and the park's adult recreation center - are intended provide more capacity for multi-generational programming.  Other components of the "Grand Steps" concept include a forest park, a game plaza, a Sister City sculpture walk, and a splash pad.

A staff report estimates that construction would occur in two six-month phases, the first of which would begin and end in 2021, and the second of which would begin and end in 2023.

The total cost of the Central Park redesign is estimated at $18.5 million.  City staff has already identified $4 million in funding for the project, and have recommended using Glendale Redevelopment Agency bond proceeds, Measure W funds, and development impact fees to secure the remainder of the project's budget.

The Armenian American Museum, which is proceeding on a separate track, would rise at the southwest corner of the park, adjacent to Colorado Street.  The museum's supporters currently hope to break ground on the project in 2020.