Anyone driving down Foothill Boulevard can’t help but notice the construction progress of the La Crescenta Library.

“It is very close to completion. They are putting the book shelves in now,” said Steve Pierce, president of the Crescenta Valley Town Council.

When construction began about a year ago, the date of completion was September 2009. Construction will most likely be completed within the next two months but the official opening will probably be in January 2010. This allows more time to make certain every last detail has been taken care of, Pierce said.

“They want to make it perfect. We don’t know who the new librarian will be yet and we may not know that until the end of the year,” he added.

In the meantime construction and landscaping will continue and the lights will stay on overnight to deter looting.

“That is on the construction company’s dime and part of the Los Angeles County contract for the building,” Pierce said.

The La Crescenta Library was first opened in the fall of 1914. Through the years it had been moved around Crescenta Valley until it settled at its longtime home at 4521 La Crescenta Ave., according to the county library’s website.

Another site that is being watched closely along Foothill Boulevard is Walgreens that is expected to have its grand opening ceremony at the end of September or first of October, Pierce said.

“Walgreens has really stepped up to the plate and used native rock around the base of the building. Several community members had requested that addition and Walgreens stepped up,” he said.

The long battle for a dog park in Crescenta Valley appears to be making some progress as well.

“We will probably be finalizing the dog at Crescenta Valley Park,” Pierce said.

The area being considered is near the Honolulu and Dunsmore avenues entrance nestled north of the parking lot toward the flood channel, Pierce said. He is part of a committee that has been investigating the need and a possible location for the dog park.

“That is what our group has recommended,” he said.

There have been some bids taken for the development of the park and are considered reasonable by Pierce.

A dog park is a fenced in area where dog owners can allow their pets to roam free from the leash. It has been discussed at several venues throughout the community including at the CV Town Council. Pierce said that the majority of people he has heard from are in favor of a dog park but the logistics and cost had to be considered before moving forward.

“This area is a little on the small side but it will work,” he said of the area that is being considered.

A public meeting will be scheduled in the future for Crescenta Valley Park neighbors and community members to share their opinions.

As of press time, on the agenda of the the town council’s Sept. 17 meeting are Glendale Unified School District administrators, They will be on hand to answer any concerns for the upcoming year and how budget cuts may be affecting district schools. Meetings had been held at the Crescenta Valley High School but due to construction at the school, meetings will now be held at 7 p.m. at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station, 4554 Briggs Ave. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Photos by Charly Shelton

  CV Town Council, library, wallgreens