Glendale’s Community Newspaper
www.glendalestar.com
Vol. 78 No. 29
INSIDE
This Week
Vice mayor denies Murphy Park plan BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
G
Glendale Star Executive Editor
BUSINESS ........ 12 Local company to sell products on Walmart.com
FEATURES ........ 18 The Lumineers say their new album is timeless
lendale Vice Mayor Jamie Aldama said he wants to dispel rumors that the city plans to bulldoze Murphy
Park. Aldama said an initial concept suggested a more modern look, but major changes won’t happen on his watch. “We’re not losing the park,” said Aldama, who has represented the Ocotillo District since 2014. He is up for reelection this August. “We’ll always have the park.” Since late last year, the Glendale City Council has discussed the Downtown Campus Reinvestment Project, which covers city hall, council chambers, an outdoor
B
Glendale Star Staff Writer
Switchfoot joins the D-backs for baseball, rock ‘n’ roll OPINION............................8 BUSINESS.......................12 CALENDAR .....................16 FEATURES.......................18 RELIGION ........................22 CLASSIFIEDS ..................24
amphitheater, parking structure, Murphy Park, and two “continuity of operations” spaces at the Bead Museum and the Civic Center Annex. The modernization project called for the full renovation of city hall, including infrastructure upgrades, interior workspace renovations, refresh/replacement of the exterior façade, parking structure enhancements and site drainage. The renovations would also include a one-stop shop on the first floor, where visitors can access a variety of services in one location, and improvements to the council chambers’ exterior façade. The outdoor amphitheater would see enhanced seating, a shade structure and perimeter fencing to support free and ticketed events.
As for Murphy Park, initial reports showed landscape and hardscape enhancements, and irrigation and drainage improvements. Those plans have evolved, but Aldama said the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and citizens groups continue to promote “Save Murphy Park” campaigns. “There is no losing Murphy Park,” Aldama reiterated. “I want to dispel that there is no proposal that loses the park.” The reinvestment project comes with a $70 million price tag, with $4.5 million allocated for work on Murphy Park. In December, the city council decided to move forward with a plan for renovation. During that meeting, the city council saw renderings of what the park could SEE PARK PAGE 4
Nonprofit helps restore widow’s home BY ERYKA FORQUER
FEATURES ........ 20
July 21, 2022
ands of law enforcement, first responders, veterans and volunteers came together in the sweltering morning heat and sang “God Bless the USA.” Among the crowd stood homeowner Gean LeVar, the widow of a Navy veteran, who was witnessing the unveiling of her home after an 18-month renovation. The white home, which had American flags strewn along the trim and streamers wrapped around the columns, was LeVar’s childhood home and where she lived with
her husband. After her husband died in January 2021, the house was condemned and the nonprofit Operation Enduring Gratitude stepped in to assist LeVar. “When her husband passed away, she called 911 and they condemned the house,” said Toni Wallis, a volunteer with Operation Enduring Gratitude. “Excessive collecting is what they are calling it. So then that night, a police officer got involved and then our organization and the city of Glendale volunteered to help.” LeVar lived at her neighbor’s house while SEE NONPROFIT PAGE 6
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Gean LeVar kicks off the welcome ceremony as she cuts the strand of red ribbon outside of her home. (Enrique Garcia/Contributor)