Pasadena Star News
Article Published: Friday, August 06, 2004 – 8:29:29 PM PST
Mall question sparks ad spending
By Naush Boghossian , Staff Writer
GLENDALE — Campaign spending for and against developer Rick Caruso’s $264
million open-air mall totaled $1.1 million in July alone, when both sides
began their push with television commercials and print ads.
The July numbers brought General Growth’s total spending to date against the
mall project to about $1 million, while Caruso has spent $919,000 to date
defending his project, campaign statements filed Friday show.
“This is an expensive campaign. We have six weeks left to voting and we’re
really at the front end of gearing up on this campaign,’ Caruso said.
The vote, set for Sept. 14, challenges zoning for the proposed retail,
entertainment and housing project.
Caruso’s expenditures so far represent the beginning of his direct mail
campaign and television commercials.
Caruso opponents, meanwhile, are targeting Armenian voters, spending $28,700
just on commercials that ran on Armenian cable shows.
“Reaching the Armenian community is an important part of our campaign and we
are planning on spending a significant amount of money to do that,’ said
Harvey Englander, campaign consultant for project foes.
Glendale Galleria owner General Growth and Caruso Affiliated Holdings have
provided most of the funding for their respective campaigns.
Neither side would say how much it intends to spend until the vote.
General Growth began a petition drive in late April to bring the Caruso
center to a public vote.
Opponents of the downtown Glendale project adjacent to the Glendale Galleria
have argued the center would be incompatible with surrounding businesses,
would cost the city too much, and the partial closure of Harvard and Orange
streets would worsen traffic in the area. Naush Boghossian can be reached at
(818) 546-3306, or by e-mail at [email protected] .