It’s no secret Maricopa is growing by leaps and bounds. But the numbers became crystal clear during a conversation with the city’s Development Services Director Rodolfo Lopez.
He cited city data showing that there currently are 24,199 completed single-family homes in Maricopa. Using the United States Census Bureau’s figure of 2.6 residents per dwelling unit, defined as any single-family home, condominium, apartment or other permanent residence, that number of homes gets the city to its current population of 62,917.
There also are 1,675 improved lots in the city – lots that Lopez described as, “meaning there is a street in front of it.” Those improved lots will bring another 4,355 citizens to the city once built out, taking the city past 67,000.
It’s after that where the numbers become a bit mind-boggling.
Including only projects within the current city limits, Lopez said there are another 42,209 dwelling units that have been approved by the city in some fashion and are in one stage of development or another. That brings the total future population of Maricopa to 177,109 if no other projects are approved.
Lopez said the rooftops are creating demand for other services in the city.
“We are creating a lot of population that will create demand for retail in those areas where the homes are built,” he said. “We don’t decide where retail will go, or where the homes will go; that’s market driven. We provide the information and opportunities and are supportive, but it’s all being driven by the markets.”
He cited the area near Porter Road and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway as one area that has a large population that is beginning to attract interest from retailers, while the area surround Tortosa is not yet generating that kind of activity.
He described another part of the city planners see as being a major growth area. “The area to the southeast of Walmart is going to be huge,” he said. “That’s the direction a lot of our development is going because there’s so much open land out that way.”
He emphasized that there is a need for the new housing.
“Our city is growing, and that’s not going to stop,” Lopez said. “A lot of our existing subdivisions are getting ready to be built out, so there needs to be places for the people moving here to live. We’re just giving the market what it wants.”
![An image of one of 56 elevation renderings submitted to Maricopa's planning department for the Elena Trails subdivison. The developer plans to construct 14 different floor plans, with four elevation styles per plan. [City of Maricopa]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/city-041724-elena-trails-rendering-218x150.jpg "Elena Trails releases home renderings")
![A blue square highlights the area of the proposed affordable housing development and "Restaurant Row" sitting south of city hall and the Maricopa Police Department. Preliminary architectural drawings were not yet available. [City of Maricopa]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/041724-affordable-housing-project-restaurant-row-218x150.jpg "Affordable apartments planned near ‘Restaurant Row’")
Maricopa will come to regret this expansion in about 5 years…..nice job Mayor Wonka and the amateur volunteer P & Z…just keep overdeveloping while there is still only one way in and out of the city….smh.
I am also a NY to AZ transplant here for 8 years, and unlike you I’m not afraid to reveal who I am. Also unlike you I’m not about to criticize others callously when I’m not doing a thing about it myself. If you don’t like how the city is being managed, instead of insulting people who are working hard on our behalf why don’t you step up and run for office, participate in council meetings, and have the backbone to not hide behind the anonymity of a code name.
Instead of trying to bring the good people who step up and contribute down to your own pitiful level, why don’t YOU volunteer to serve on the P&Z or other committees?? You are obviously far more intelligent than the rest of us. Right?
Have you ever spoken with Mayor Price? Have you ever experienced his enthusiasm and passion for our city? Call City Hall and make an appointment to sit down and speak with him and register your concerns directly. I did when I was still looking for a home here nine years ago and he welcomed me to ask my questions directly. And he provided thoughtful, valuable answers.
And if you’re about to write a nasty useless reply that I’m only identified as “HMC” I suspect many people who know me could tell you who I am, but my name is Howard M. Cohen and I would be GLAD to meet you at City Hall so you can explain to Mayor Price why you saw fit to demean him with your Wonka comment. That’s kinda pathetic.
Dear NYTOAZ, you must be new here. We won’t regret anything, this city is 250 sq miles in its planning area and only 50 currently. Growth helps get roads paved. That’s the way it works in every city in America. So if we want 347 fixed then come with me to an ADOT meeting and learn how the process works. Stagnation doesn’t get you precious dollars for fixes and expansion….GROWTH DOES! Also BTW you may want to investigate the East-West Corridor as another route to the I-10 that is starting construction shortly. And the I-11. But know that until Gila River ever grants another direct route to the I-10 through their nation, then all of these will have to do. ADOT knows and understands this. So again its why growth is good…it moves up the priority list to get all the things we want….roads, stores, businesses, industry….without it you get nothing. Hope that helps.
BTW you may want to attend or watch the State of the City from past years or in upcoming years as there is tons of information about where Maricopa has come from and where it is heading.