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Caruso vs. Patel: Competing Plans for Americana at Brand
Ray Patel wants to hold on to his Golden Key Hotel. Rick Caruso wants to buy the land, raze the hotel and erect an Americana at Brand expansion in its place. Patel refused Caruso's $6M offer to buy the property and was given a 45-day deadline by Glendale City Council to revamp it or sell it to Caruso. The plans are in and a hearing will usher in the next stage of the showdown, according to 818 Now .
Patel's rendering for his revamped Golden Key Hotel shows modest updates to the property and would likely be a welcome upgrade on any other street corner in many parts of Los Angeles. Yet when considered alongside Rick Caruso's rendering replete with existing cafés, restaurants, bookstores, outdoor seating and upper-level apartments that would flank the new property, an apples-to-apples assessment is hardly fair. It makes this whole thing look like David vs. Goliath.
The City Council has already endorsed Caruso's expansion plans, which will include a $40 million dollar renovation for three new retailers, the widening of Colorado Street and "pedestrian-friendly landscaping," so the battle of the plans seems like an ill-fated exercise for Patel. Curbed LA estimates that compared to Caruso's $40 million plans, Patel's will come in at roughly $3 million.
A hearing on the competing proposals is expected to take place in February.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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