City land sale to church to ease traffic on John Wayne Parkway

City Council unanimously agreed last week to sell 0.8 acres to First Baptist Church of Maricopa, which will then move its entrance from John Wayne Parkway and onto Maricopa Road to the east.

The arrangement is designed to alleviate potential traffic issues on JWP from drivers entering or exiting the church, on the west side of the highway just north of Alterra Parkway.

There was no cash price for the sale. Compensation to the city will come from the church’s forfeiture of its entrance on JWP and improvements to its property as prescribed by the city.

The city will pave access from Maricopa Road to the north portion of the church property. Then, within 12 months, the church will install a fence between its property and John Wayne Parkway, removing the access point.

The church also will expand its parking lot as part of the agreement.

First Baptist Church of Maricopa was founded in 1954 and serves Maricopa and the Hidden Valley area.