ARMENIAN GROUP BUYS SITE

Burbank Leader
Feb 10 2010
CA

DOWNTOWN — The Burbank Armenian Cultural Foundation has entered
escrow on a $2.5-million downtown facility, capping a long-running
search for a building to house several community organizations.

The foundation, a combination of community-based groups, has taken
advantage of the down real estate market and an anonymous donation to
relocate several offices from 361 E. Magnolia Blvd. to the proposed
facility at 75 E. Santa Anita Ave.

The planned consolidation comes as similar foundations in Pasadena,
Hollywood, Montebello and Torrance have converted existing buildings
into community and athletic facilities.

"We’ve been looking in spurts and longer stretches for 20 years,"
said Garen Yegparian, chairman and co-founder of the Armenian
National Committee of Burbank. "Financially, the fates have come
together in that we secured the donation and found a property that
could accommodate many of the aspects we envisioned."

advertisement The 14,410-square-foot building at First Street and
Santa Anita Avenue would serve the Armenian National Committee of
Burbank, and local chapters of Homenetmen, Armenian Youth Federation
and Armenian Relief Society.

Organizers said they hoped the potential for increased outreach and
new programming would help them reach more people.

"It gives us a chance to garner more interest in the community," said
Shahan Boghigian, chairman of the Armenian Youth Federation of Burbank.

The Armenian Relief Society, which provides assistance to immigrants
and refugees, went from $7,500 for fiscal year 2008-09 to $4,000 this
year in federal grant funding, according to city records.

The Homenetmen Sipan Chapter is a large organizer of youth athletic
activities that culminate in the summer Navasartian Games and
Festival. The Armenian Youth Federation focuses on human rights,
outreach and mentoring.

Both groups, which have seen ebbs and flows in their membership over
the past decade, are expected to draw stability from the center,
organizers said. They would share the proposed meeting and computer
rooms, a social hall and basketball court, a significant departure
from the community building on Magnolia Boulevard.

"Right now, the best way to put it is, it’s a zoo," Yegparian said.

To help speed things along, the foundation received a $500,000
anonymous donation and agreed to match the funds, Yegparian said.

Still, several hurdles remain to be cleared.

Foundation members would likely need special permits for parking and
a change in use for the former International Recording Corp. building,
Deputy City Planner Michael Forbes said.

Another obstacle is fundraising, which continues with
a $1,000-per-person gala scheduled for Feb. 21 at the proposed
community center.