GARDEN GROVE GALLERIA may re-started, the city council was told Tuesday night (OC Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano

One long-delayed project that cast a literal and symbolic shadow over the city may be getting new life. That’s the hope that was raised at Tuesday’s meeting of the Garden Grove City Council.

The council voted 5-0 to not move to condemn and tear down the “rusty skeleton” on Garden Grove Boulevard, just west of Brookhurst Street and instead heard encouraging words from a new developer that the stalled multi-story building – halted in mid-construction – might finally start moving toward construction.

Alexis Gerborkian of AMG Development addressed the council and said that his firm had acquired the lease to the Lotus Park/Galleria project and was planning on submitting plans within 60 days.

The original project, to be built on property at 10080 and 10189 Garden Grove Blvd. owned by the Hoag Foundation, benefactor of the Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove, was begun in 2004 but stalled during the Great Recession.

Efforts to restart the development were stopped by legal wrangles among several parties, and the slowly-rusting superstructure has been an embarrassment and frustration to the community.

“We are now the tenant,” said Gerborkian, “and we have plans to keep the existing structure. We’re going to keep the mixed-use concept with retail on the ground floor and use the upper floors for senior citizen housing.”

Once built, the project would be managed by the Foundation for Affordable Housing, a non-profit organization based in Laguna Beach. AMG has made the first lease payment to Hoag, the council was told.

Also on Tuesday night, the council voted 5-0 to deny a request by the Garden Grove Neighborhood Association and the Garden Grove Downtown Business Association to appropriate $1000 to videotape and air Saturday’s candidate’s forum to be held in the Courtyard Center on Main Street.

During the public comments section of the meeting, long-time community activist Tony Flores announced he was seeking to become a write-in candidate for mayor in the Nov. 8 election. Council member Steve Jones is the only candidate who filed for the top elected position. Flores’ name would not appear on the electronic ballot, but if he otherwise qualifies, citizens wishing to vote for him can ask for a provisional paper ballot.