Year-end development update

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The city of Maricopa hosted its fourth annual economic development forum in December, presenting information about projects underway and highlighting steps the city is taking to encourage growth. Here is a brief look at some of what was covered:

City construction projects
During the past four months the city has approved two contracts with Abacus Project Management Inc to facilitate the design of city projects.

Abacus was originally hired in September for $521,207 to complete a design standards manual for five city projects: city hall complex, regional sports complex, aquatics/multigenerational center, main library and public works yard.

The firm was then awarded another $2.15 million in December to accelerate construction of the city hall complex, the aquatics/multigenerational center and a regional park.

“This decision by council speed up the construction of these projects by a minimum of six months,” said Abacus Senior Project Manager Adam Brill.

This second contract will lead to the completion of a design standards manual, site plan and building design for a city hall complex located on a 145-acre parcel near White and Parker and Bowlin Roads.

“We’ll begin the design process in January and the city should be ready to break ground by November 2011,” Brill said.

For the recreation projects, the new contract will facilitate the production of site plans and engineering plans.

These two plans will identify the location of building pads, pedestrian walkways, parking and other features for the two projects on a 143-acre parcel near the intersection of John Wayne Parkway and Bowlin Road.

Brill predicted that if council continues to move at the current pace, the regional park could be completed by December 2012 and the aquatics/multigenerational center by October of 2013.

Economic development strategic plan
TIP Strategies was hired in 2010 by the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance to complete a strategic plan that will serve as the city’s road map for economic development during the next three to five years.

“The final plan will include specific goals and strategies, an implementation matrix, target industries and an economic assessment of the community,” MEDA CEO Jim Rives said. “This is a very qualified group we have contracted to complete this study.”

MEDA is a private, non-profit organization established in 2009 to work as a non-attached limb of the city to help attract businesses and jobs to Maricopa.

Jon Roberts, Managing Director for TIP strategies told council at a recent meeting he thought the strategic plan would encourage the city to focus its efforts on jobs in the information technology sector.

Roberts said he was all but certain he would recommend the city pursue digital health information management companies.

“Not many colleges in the country are providing training programs in this growing field,” Roberts said. “If the city were able to partner with an educational provider to offer training here, I could see these types of employers coming to Maricopa.”

Roberts added that companies of this type typically employ 40 to 60 people in stable, high-paying jobs. He believes automotive research companies would likely be another good fit for the city.

“The two test tracks are a huge selling point,” he said, referring to the Nissan and Volkswagen facilities here. Robert’s group is still in the information-collecting phase of its study and plans to deliver the strategic plan by March 2011.

Development impact fees
The city of Maricopa adopted a pro-growth impact fee schedule in November that temporarily brings the city’s development charges in line with some of the lowest in the state.

The temporary fees set the price of developing commercial buildings larger than 100,000 square feet at $4.58 per square foot and lowers the fee for building a single-family home to $3,418. Before the change, developers in Maricopa paid $7.47 per square foot for commercial development and $5,346 per single-family home.

“These breaks will last about 18 months and save developers up to 45 percent,” said Economic Development Director Danielle Casey.

Impact fees are charged by cities to offset the cost of new infrastructure required when growth occurs. Here are the rates in effect in several nearby cities: Avondale $6.93; Casa Grande $6.37; Chandler $8.88; Coolidge $3.24; Florence $6.40; Gilbert $2.90; Goodyear $4.47 and Surprise at $2.61. Pinal County charges developers of large commercial space $8.07 per square foot.

Heritage District
The Heritage District redevelopment area is situated along both sides of the Union Pacific rail line between Edwards and Edison roads. It is the area where Maricopa’s first businesses were located prior to incorporation in 2003.

The city is offering a special incentive called a Government Property Lease Excise Tax in the Heritage District that allows it to waive or discount all property taxes for a company that develops in the district for up to 30 years. A recent $50,000 grant from the Gila River Indian Community will be used to develop a design standards manual for the historic area.
“This manual will define the future look of the area,” Casey said, adding that an “Old West” look for the district is being considered.

Small Business Classes
Over the past year, the city hosted a series of classes to help entrepreneurs start new businesses and grow current enterprises.

“These classes have been a great success,” Casey said.

The next series of classes will be held Jan. 27 through March 31. The free classes are divided into ten 3-hour sessions designed to give current and prospective business owners a better understanding of marketing, leadership, finance and legal requirements for local companies.