Monument to make letter-perfect impression at north entrance

A project to install a welcome monument at the north entrance to the city and beautify the median on John Wayne Parkway is slowly moving toward reality.

According to Nathan Steele, the city’s economic development director, the monument will create a stunning first impression for those entering the city on State Route 347 from the Valley.

The monument – a rendering shows the city’s stylized “M” – and landscaping in the center median would include a variety of trees, shrubs, rocks, gabion baskets and other decorative elements, Steele said. Similar landscaping improvements will be made on the shoulders to create a clean, balanced look.

Steele said the project initially will run from the northern city limit south to Edison Road. He anticipates details will be decided – and work will begin – relatively soon.

“We are currently finalizing agreements with a potential contractor for the project,” he said. “We’re hoping the agreements can be wrapped up soon so the community can see people out there doing work within the next few months.”

While the initial phase of the project is focused on the northern portion of John Wayne Parkway, Steele said residents can expect similar improvements on the city’s major transportation corridors in the future.

The city will fund the project, preferring to use Arizona Department of Transportation funding for other infrastructure projects in the city. The project is being run by Public Services Director Mike Riggs and his team.

Riggs said the work will make the city more visually appealing, but admitted getting it done in the short term could be ugly.

“We know that JWP traffic will be impacted,” Riggs said. “As the scope of the project has not been completed yet, we don’t know what the final traffic management plan will look like. Once we get the scope completed, the contractor can submit a Traffic Control Plan for city staff to review. All parties are aware that traffic impact is critical in this area of the city.”

With the scope of the multi-year project not yet finalized, the total cost has not been completely determined, Riggs said. When contractor submits final proposals, the city will be able to determine start and completion dates, he added.