GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES NEGOTIATIONS ON ARMENIAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM
Wednesday, November 5th, 2014
AGCC Board members and supporters in front of Glendale City Hall
GLENDALE–All five members of the Glendale City Council voted on
November 4, 2014, in favor of a motion to enter into an Exclusive
Negotiating Agreement with the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee
of Western US (AGCC) for the ground lease of a 1.7 acre property
located to the south of the Glendale Civic Auditorium and across the
street from Glendale Community College.
Earlier this year, the AGCC announced its interest to build a Museum
and Educational/Cultural Center in Southern California. After exploring
numerous locations throughout Los Angeles County, the organization
identified a site in Glendale with the characteristics for a world
class museum and cultural/educational center.
In her introductory remarks, AGCC Co-Chair Talin Yacoubian observed “It
is not often that one finds such a wide cross section of a constituency
or community wholeheartedly supporting any single project, but the
magnitude, relevance and importance of this project has created an
indivisible bond, not only among the Armenian community but beyond.”
Representatives of the 19 organizations on the Board of the AGCC,
its Landmark Sub-Committee, members of the Armenian Genocide Memorial
Council of Glendale as well as several dozen community organizers
and volunteers were in attendance at the Council meeting to express
their support. The more than 100 people who attended the Council
meeting applauded when the Council voted 5 – 0 to adopt the motion
to initiate the exclusive negotiations.
“We have decided to build a Museum and a Cultural and Educational
Center that strives to transform lives, and a Memorial Monument to
fallen victims of crimes against humanity, to promote all that is just
in the United States of America, and, ultimately be, a destination
venue for all,” explained AGCC Co-Chair Garo Ghazarian in his remarks
to the members of the Council.
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian told the Council members that
he was delighted that they have taken this initiative. He stated, “This
Museum with its Cultural and Educational Center and Memorial will be
a symbol of life; a symbol of resurrected life; a symbol of justice;
a symbol to adhere to history and culture; a symbol of an important
monument which will invite us all to embrace heroism in our lives.”
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian was out of the country
on official church business but sent a message expressing his support.
The Prelate’s message states, “All of these objectives and more,
will be achieved by the synergy of the placement of a Museum, next
to the Civic Auditorium and the Glendale Community College, which,
will benefit all three establishments, as well as the surrounding
neighborhoods, and the City of Glendale as a whole.”
Each Council member expressed support for the project and willingness
to work with the AGCC during this critical phase of exploring the
feasibility of building the Museum, Cultural/Educational Center,
and Memorial on this site within the next few years.
Approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of this 1.7 acre property had already
been reserved for the construction of a Monument to the victims of
the Armenian Genocide and Man’s Inhumanity to Man. City Mayor Zareh
Sinanyan informed the audience that he was pleased to have received
the communication from the Armenian Genocide Memorial Council of
Glendale expressing their willingness to join the efforts of the AGCC
and to have the area reserved for the monument included in the ground
lease negotiations.
The report presented to the City Council by City Manager Scott Ochoa
and Director of Economic Development Philip Lanzafame states that
the museum and education center is scheduled to include exhibit
galleries, a theater, research space, classrooms, an outdoor plaza,
and a memorial.
In his remarks, Lanzafame stated, “The elements and size of the
proposed museum and education center will be further defined by the
research, discussions, and reports that would occur during the term
of the exclusive negotiating period.”
Although the term of the exclusive negotiating period is 12 months,
the AGCC spokespersons expressed their desire to make sufficient
progress by April 2015 to unveil the conceptual design for the Museum
complex and construct an interim memorial on the site by the 100th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of Western US helps oversee,
coordinate and organize events and activities to observe the 100th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the region.
The representatives of the following organizations and institutions
serve on the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee – Western USA:
Armenia Fund – Western Region USA; Armenian Assembly of America;
Armenian Bar Association; Armenian Catholic Church; Armenian Council of
America; Armenian Cultural Foundation; Armenian Evangelical Union of
North America; Armenian General Benevolent Union – Western District;
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region; Armenian
Relief Society – Western USA; Armenian Rights Council; Armenian Youth
Federation; Ignatius Foundation; Nor Or Charitable Foundation; Nor
Serount Cultural Association; Organization of Istanbul Armenians;
Unified Young Armenians; Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America; Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
http://asbarez.com/128628/glendale-city-council-unanimously-approves-negotiations-on-armenian-american-museum/