Mayor Nancy Smith pitched Maricopa’s vast cornucopia of future housing subdivisions, which are driving new businesses, road projects, government growth and recreational enhancements.

Delivering her “State of the City” speech last night in the city council chambers, Smith said Maricopa was on pace to approve construction of between 500,000 and 700,000 square feet of new commercial and retail development this year.

That would overshadow the 189,000 square feet tracked in 2023.

Celebrating Maricopa’s 20th anniversary of incorporation, Smith addressed a packed house inside city hall.

As an aside, she said so many attended the reception and her address — about 200 — the city would seek a larger venue next year.

Much of Smith’s message focused on the big role housing growth plays in the domino effect of business development and better roads.

“Developers aren’t just building roofs,” Smith said. “They’re laying the groundwork for future opportunities. When rooftops emerge, developers are seeing a thriving community.”

She cited Scottsdale economist Elliott Pollock, who said if housing doesn’t keep up at its existing pace, retail, commercial and industrial development, and the roads leading to them, will not come here.

“This is what developers look for,” she said. “So, it’s really a critical and very important element of building a city.”

This applies for projects such as Arizona Department of Transportation’s State Route 347 improvements, which are now threatened by Gov. Katie Hobbs funding cuts proposal that would eliminate $25 million for a Riggs Road overpass at SR 347, eliminating the stoplight there.

She added housing growth was especially important “because the homes we build, the higher we climb on the [transportation] funding ladder.”

The mayor credited state Rep. Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande) as a big supporter of major transportation improvements such as SR 347 and Interstate 10. Martinez was in the audience at the event, momentarily standing up to wave to the crowd.

One highlight of the presentation was a video chronicling the humble beginnings of the city, in which Smith was flanked by several former mayors.

“Every city, I believe, should always start in a doublewide trailer,” said former Mayor Edward Farrell in the city-produced video about Maricopa’s 20-year evolution.  “It’s the most humbling experience in the world.”

Today, besides the spacious city hall staff offices, a new free-standing municipal court facility opened next door last month. Construction of a new police station is expected to be completed and opened this year.

Future city plans include an industrial park, a mixed-use development, a surf park, expansions to the University of Arizona agricultural center, a civic center and the South Bridge retail plaza in the Heritage District.

The projects were showcased at the city hall lobby reception before the “State of the City.”

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