Residents can help Maricopa design ‘new city center’

Maricopa is envisioning a new “city center,” and officials want resident feedback.

A design charrette and community workshop are set for March 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at City Hall, 39700 W. Civic Center Plaza. City Hall is the centerpiece of the vision for a city center.

Civic Center Plaza, which includes City Hall and Maricopa Police Department, is an island surrounded by more than 120 acres of undeveloped land owned by the City. When first built, the plaza was meant to be the center of the city with a variety of businesses coming in around it as the population shifted eastward.

The charrette is the first step in designing a vision for that city center.

“There is good synergy, with the college and Banner and Walmart in the area,” said Kazi Haque, city zoning administrator.

Haque said the vision has always been for a mixed-use area, with government, retail, community and housing components. A variety of options and architecture ideas will be on display during the interactive workshop.

“There will be a consultant there to talk about the methodology,” Haque said. “The purpose is to introduce the process and get feedback.”

The recession and floodplain designation halted development in the area. While housing development has returned in good form (nearly 100 home permits a month), the floodplain remains an issue. A large portion of the property is in the Santa Cruz wash.

Haque said that is a future problem to be solved as city officials continue discussions with adjacent property owners and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

For more information about the workshop, contact Haque at [email protected] or 520-316-6985.

---

MOBILE USERS GET NEWS FIRST. Download InMaricopa for Apple and Android devices.