Community workshop showcases future look of redevelopment area

“We looked at the things you talked to us about,” said Joy Mee of Morrison Maierle, Inc., consultants for Maricopa’s Redevelopment Area Plan. Mee and her colleagues met with residents at Monday’s second public forum at the First Baptist Church.

Morrison Maierle’s team met with city staff, local and regional governments, property owners and stakeholders in addition to talking directly to the residents of the redevelopment plan area during the first public forum on Feb. 12 (see related story). That meeting resulted in a residents’ wish list for the following areas: character and identity, infrastructure, neighborhood, circulation, economic, downtown and land use goals.

Input from various individuals and entities, as well as the summary of the first public forum, was the basis for the team’s presentation on what presently exists in the redevelopment area, what is lacking and proposals for improvement and change.

For example, the area has several interim public facilities, including city hall and the public safety buildings. It has some medical offices, but no hospital, several landmarks like the water tower and Headquarters restaurant, Rotary Park and pool, but no city park or recreational facility. The Edison Road intersection would become the gateway to the redevelopment district on the north with the Alterra subdivision as the southern access point.

In terms of land use, consultants presented objectives for the future development of retail, industrial, hotel, transportation and government centers and, potentially, a Heritage Park. “We want to retain the flavor of the original community, the Old Town character,” said Mee. “We’re trying to pull it all together.”

Speaking on circulation issues, Paul Basha noted that the proposed grade separation at SR 347 is a critical component for the future. Realignment at the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, angling the intersection to come out on Honeycutt Road near the Maricopa Business Center, is already on the city’s drawing board. A second possible overpass might be added in 10 to 25 years at Loma Drive.

Dry utilities, including gas, electric, cable and telephone, provide adequate existing service in the redevelopment area. However, the ‘wet’ utilities do not. The Maricopa Domestic Water Improvement District (MDWID) services about half a square mile in the redevelopment area. It is primarily a septic system with fire flow water issues.

“Continuing the status quo is not acceptable” was the message, loud and clear, in regard to the water utility. However, it would take federal funding, a third party or city purchase of MDWID to move to a sewer system and water improvements in the area.

Old Town’s three areas, divided primarily based on separate locations, all have some of the same concerns, identified by residents during the first forum. Abandoned properties, lack of sidewalks and street lights, unsafe alleys, lack of drainage and dust control and incompatible development are all issues that need to be addressed.

In terms of possible urban design, building heights, roof and facade variations, unified architectural themes, shade elements, parking layouts, the use of landmarks and a possible government center would bring a new look to the area. “They would not only reflect the past but talk about the future,” explained Mee. For example, a government center or city hall could be three or four stories high, easily identifying it as the ‘heart’ of the city.

At the conclusion of the presentations, residents broke into groups to discuss the team’s recommendations. This input will be incorporated into the plan updates to be presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission on March 23 and the city council on April 7.

On Tuesday, April 14, the consulting team will present its draft plan at the third community workshop scheduled for 7 pm. at Maricopa Elementary School. The public hearing process will begin after that final forum, with the final plan going before the Maricopa City Council sometime in June.

Photos by Joyce Hollis