Community Progress 2008 - Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce

Community
Progress 2008
Cover Designed by: Juan C. Jiménez / The Wickenburg Sun
Planned projects moving forward,
new ideas on the horizon
2007 Review • 2008 Preview
Special Supplement to
January 16, 2008
Page 2
Community Progress
Many projects still
on ‘hold’ during 2007
By Tamara Thomas
Editor
What started as a slow year in 2006
for anticipated developments, has continued through 2007. As described in
last year’s Community Progress supplement, the expected influx of new
homes and businesses did not materialize this year.
The continued downturn in the real
estate market nationwide, along with a
fluctuating stock market and fuel prices have combined to keep the economy
skittish, and the new developments on
“hold.”
While Community Progress for 2007
does not list any “new” developments,
it does recap what has happened – or
failed to happen – with the developments already anticipated.
One long-awaited project will be
finally getting underway this year
– likely in February – is the muchdiscussed Wickenburg Bypass. This
project, which has been on the drawing
board for more than 10 years, is finally
getting off the ground and will prove to
be a significant change for Wickenburg.
With the bulk of traffic diverted around
the downtown area, the main streets of
town will become much more pedestrian-friendly.
And in anticipation of the bypass, the
Streetscape project has progressed,
albeit with snags and bumps. This is a
multi-phase beautification plan for the
historic district of downtown. Phase
I is finally nearing completion, and
construction on Phase II will begin this
summer.
Congress got a much-needed medical clinic to locate in town. This small
community to Wickenburg’s north
has continued to grow and develop in
positive ways throughout the year.
The big projects that have been on
the drawing board here mostly remain
so – Wickenburg Ranch, Calamity
Wash, Saddleback Ranch, Country
Club Estates. Some work is being done
on infrastructure and earthmoving, but
progress remains slow.
2008 will undoubtedly bring changes
and new developments; it is hard to
predict which ones will ‘bloom’ first.
January 16, 2008
Index
Bypass update...............................Page 3
Wickenburg Inn..............................Page 4
NVS in Congress...........................Page 5
SR 89 changes.............................Page 6
Listening Hills................................Page 7
Sols Wash...................................Page 8-9
Festival Foothills...........................Page 10
Bass Hill.......................................Page 11
Mariposa Heights.........................Page 11
Annexations.................................Page 12
West Plaza Shoppes....................Page 13
Wickenburg Ranch.......................Page 14
Stalled projects.............................Page 15
Streetscape Project.................Page 16-17
Ace Hardware...............................Page 18
Monte Vista..................................Page 19
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January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 3
Bypass construction to begin soon
“
‘‘It’s been a long time coming.
It will be well worth it.’’
Lon McDermott,
project consultant
“
The Wickenburg Bypass is one step closer to reality,
and construction is expected to begin soon.
The pre-construction meeting was held Jan. 7 and the
Notice to Proceed is expected to be issued in a couple
of weeks. Construction should begin in February, but
according to Arizona Department of Transportation
District Engineer Dallas Hammit, construction activity
would be suspended when Wickenburg hosts its annual
Gold Rush Days festivities in early February.
The project is expected to take two years to complete.
Winning bidder for the construction of the new highway bypass in downtown Wickenburg was Markham
Construction with a bid of $26.97 million.
Former Wickenburg Mayor Lon McDermott, the
Town of Wickenburg’s consultant for the bypass project,
announced the awarding of the bid in late October.
Next highest bidders, according to McDermott, were
Ames ($50,000 higher than Markham), Austin Bridge
and Road, FNF, Haydon Building Corp., and Meadow
WICKENBURG
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Valley (six bidders total).
The highest bid was $32.36 million.
Markham’s Web site is www.markhamcontracting.
com/index.html.
The bids were within the programmed budget.
“It’s been a long time coming,” stated Lon McDermott,
project consultant and liaison for the Town of
Wickenburg. “It will be well worth it.”
The project is to begin on U.S. 60 just east of the
Hassayampa River Bridge and extend north on U.S.
93 for a distance of approximately 1.69 miles. ADOT
states, “The work consists of constructing a new fivelane roadway with a flush median, including sidewalks
and roadway lighting. Included in the work is the
replacement of the existing U.S. 60 bridge over the
Hassayampa River, construction of a new bridge over
Sols Wash, new or extended drainage structures, soil
cement bank protection, erosion control, landscaping,
seeding, signing, striping, and other miscellaneous
work.”
ADOT has projected the cost for the bypass at more
than $32 million.
Although the project is scheduled to take two years
or more to complete, McDermott explained that it
shouldn’t inconvenience local traffic too much during
that time.
“Most of the work will be done north of the existing
bridges,” he said. “Between the bypass and the flood
control project, Wickenburg will be out of the 100-year
floodplain forever.”
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Page 4
Community Progress
January 16, 2008
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A computer-generated rendering of the soon-to-be expanded Wickenburg
Inn shows how the architects have incorporated the old building with the
new.
Wickenburg Inn to expand,
seeks national franchise
By Tamara Thomas
Editor
The Wickenburg Inn – once the
AmericInn – has big changes in store.
The plans are on the drawing board
to expand the hotel south of town on
Highway 60 from its current 28 rooms to a
total of 70 rooms, including 14 new suites.
The suites will have added amenities and
are designed to accommodate business
travelers for extended stays.
Also included in the expansion plans is a
1400 square foot meeting space.
“Wickenburg needs more meeting
space. The Chamber of Commerce is
completely behind this,” said co-owner
Louie Smith.
A national franchise is also being sought.
Smith wouldn’t divulge which franchise,
but said, “It’s a very upscale company.
We’ll know soon if they’ll sign us on.”
He went on to explain that the name of
the hotel may change with the franchise,
but that “Wickenburg Inn” was owned
and licensed by his company and would
remain in its possession.
“It’s a great name,” he said. “We’ll keep
using it if possible.”
The addition will be an attractive one,
incorporating the existing building and
architecture. Smith explained that the
hotel would get an entirely new roofline,
the current patio would disappear and a
free-standing portico will be built, allowing guests to drive up to the lobby for
check-in.
There will be no restaurant, but the
existing kitchen would be utilized for
catering meetings, conventions and other
events held at the inn.
The new design takes advantage of the
terrain, allowing guests to drive around
the rear of the building to access the second-floor rooms at ground level.
“All the rooms will be accessible at a first
floor level,” explained Smith. “The hillside
is terraced in back. Guests will be able to
drive up to their second-floor rooms.”
Smith was also proud of the plan to
make the Wickenburg Inn the only hotel
in town with an elevator. “We’ll have a
new look in the lobby, and where the front
desk is now will be Wickenburg’s first
elevator (in a hotel).”
The inn is situated in a prime location – especially considering the upcoming bypass construction – and anticipates
increased revenue, which in turn helps
the town.
“This past year was our best year yet,”
Smith declared. “More revenue for the
company means more tax revenue for the
Town of Wickenburg. Our expansion will
benefit the town.”
The start date for the new construction depends on decisions made by the
town, Wickenburg Inn, and the owners
of the new Calamity Wash project regarding water and sewer. Discussions and
negotiations are currently proceeding to
determine whether the town will extend
water and sewer, or whether the hotel will
retain its own water and sewage handling.
“We hope to break ground in early summer,” said Smith. “We’ll get this water/
sewer issue settled and then move forward. Town Manager Gary Edwards has
been great to deal with.”
Smith emphasized the benefits of the
expansion plans. “This is a quality project.
We’ll be in a great position to attract travelers to Wickenburg, to provide a quality
place to stay. During the bypass construction, we’ll be an easily accessible location.
The revenues for the town will increase
proportionately.”
The Wickenburg Inn is privately owned
by a family investment company, The
Greens Group LLC. The company owns
12 properties in California, Arizona, and
Utah and employs 312 people.
The Wickenburg Inn is located at 850 E.
Wickenburg Way and can be reached by
calling 684-5461.
January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 5
NVS Medical Clinic opens at Congress Community Center
By Patti Jares
Staff Writer
The year 2007 was good for Congress
residents who were tired of commuting to
Wickenburg when a doctor was needed.
On Oct. 27, the fully functional NVS
Clinic opened its doors in the remodeled
Congress Community Center. The clinic
is located at the west end of the community center, where a wall divides it from
the main hall.
The clinic, operated by Registered
Nurse Rose Allen and receptionist (Health
and Family Counselor) Kathy Steen with
Dr. Tom Matlock, contains a reception
area and two examination rooms. The
decorations are warm and relaxing with
a definite “country” feel. The clinic is
open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays and
Fridays.
The community paid for the facility with
money earned through fundraising efforts
spearheaded by health community activists Rose Allen, Kathy Steen, Mary Hovis
and Darlene Balcom.
The idea was born when the Wickenburg
Healthcare Alliance (doing business as
Congress Health Council) sent out surveys in Congress’ Feb. 1 water bills, asking the community what they would like
to see in health care.
The answer was three-fold: a centrally
located medical facility, a resource center
where residents could learn about available programs, including resources for
the disabled, shut-ins, and those with a
limited income; and programs for the
community’s youth.
With that information in mind, the
Council (which included Congress Fire
Chief Virgil Sutton and Dr. Tom Matlock)
developed a strategic plan in March.
The plan included all three needs
addressed by the public.
In addition to the clinic, Congress has
the Community Service Center and youth
programs.
The Community Service Center is a
fully functional resource center adjacent
to the clinic, where residents can seek
free information and counseling, as well
as attend support groups and educational
classes on subjects including pulmonary
disease, arthritis, and an upcoming session that will address diabetes.
Youth programs have been implemented in the community, such as Congress
Youth Group, Generations United, Junior
Gem and Mineral Association, Congress
Youth Chorale, Social and Life Skills
Program and a Health Intern Program.
Dr. Matlock often addresses students
and is currently helping them with their
upcoming Health Fair.
The Congress Health Council is amazed
at the short amount of time it took to put
Rose Allen and Kathy Steen operate Congress’ new medical clinic with Dr.
Tom Matlock
the programs in place.
“It took only eight months to implement, and it got done,” said Matlock.
“This isn’t my deal – I’m one of several
people involved – but it’s the community;
they’re the driving force. The community
speaks and does it on its own.”
The entire project was generated without federal funds, and is mostly kept
afloat with donations and fundraisers,
such as a bingo game held at the community center on the first and third Friday
of each month. Proceeds go to the clinic,
the Senior Center and the Community
Service Center.
Although the clinic has only been
open since October, word has spread
about the facility, and patients come from
Wickenburg, Aguila and even Stanton.
For community members interested
in the new programs, there is a meeting
planned for Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m.
in the Congress Community Center. The
“report card night” will be a community forum put on by the Congress Health
Council, discussing “things we’ve done
and what we’re going to do.”
According to Rose, the clinic is enjoyable.
“We’re having a good time here,” she
acknowledged with a warm grin. “We
really are.”
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Page 6
Community Progress
SR 89 to see upgrades
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Yavapai County and the Arizona
Department of Transportation (ADOT)
have completed a project assessment and
access management study on State Route
(SR) 89 between Wickenburg at milepost
258 and Congress at milepost 272.
The study incorporated new development in the area, future roadway needs,
and access to the highway.
The final study recommendations
include a future four-lane divided highway
with varying characteristics described
below. Recommendations also include
right and left turn deceleration lanes at
all future median openings, right-in and
right-out access at individual driveways,
and minor access points, development
of a background or frontage road system
as part of the access management implementation, and minor alignment shifts to
avoid existing developments.
The project team presented the final
recommendations to the Wickenburg
Town Council on Oct. 15 and the Yavapai
County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 5.
The details of the plan are described
below.
In Area 1 – the stretch of SR 89 from
the planned Wickenburg Ranch entrance
to the southern boundary of Congress,
and north of SR 71 to Yarnell Hill – will
be built as what ADOT calls “fringe urban
highway with a depressed median.” The
posted speed for these two sections of
highway will be 50 to 65 miles per hour.
There will be an eight-foot outside shoulder, no outside curb or gutter, a wide
depressed median, and full-access intersections with median openings at one to
two-mile spacing.
Area 2, consisting of US 93 to Wickenburg
Ranch entrance, will be “fringe urban
highway with a curbed median. This area
will have a posted speed of 50 to 65 miles
per hour, and eight-foot outside shoulder,
and no outside curb or gutter. It will have
a 16-foot wide curbed median and fullaccess intersections as in Area 1.
Area 3 is described as the southern
boundary of Congress to north of SR 71,
and will be “urban highway with a curbed
median.” The speed will be posted at 35
to 50 miles per hour. There will be no
outside shoulder, but curb and gutter
instead. The median will be 16-feet wide
and there will be full-access intersections
with median openings at half-mile spacings.
For more information visit the project Web site at www.co.yavapai.az.us/
Content.aspx?id=27104, or email Kristin
Darr-Bornstein, public involvement manager at Kristin@kdacreative.com.
January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 7
Listening Hills development moving forward
By Janet DelTufo
Assistant Editor
As most proposed developments
around town appeared to have
stalled during 2007, the Listening
Hills subdivision continued to progress at a steady pace.
At this time last year, only one lot
in Phase 1 of the project had been
sold. To date, 14 lots have been
sold with one home built and one
under construction. As well, streets
and sidewalks have been installed
throughout Phase 1.
Partners Jerry Bromm and Doug
Peterson have invested 4.5 years
in this project, which is adjacent to
the historic Flying E Ranch. The
project consists of 500 acres and
231 individual lots that will accommodate custom built homes.
The average lot size is 2.2 acres,
ranging from 1.4 acres to five acres.
This is a four-phase project, and
there are 41 lots in Phase 1.
Much of the land’s natural vegetation has been left, and a feeling
of living in the desert remains at
Listening Hills.
Fiber optic telephone lines by
Qwest are currently being installed,
and homeowners will have the
opportunity to purchase high speed
Internet.
Water, power, telephone and a
dry sewer extend to each homesite.
Septic systems are currently in use
where homes are already built.
The Town of Wickenburg is updating its sewer system and installing
several miles of new lines. When
the sewer project has been completed, Listening Hills will hook
into the system.
For more information on Listening
Hills, contact Peterson Realty at
684-5129.
Photo by Janet DelTufo
Partners Jerry Bromm and Doug Peterson (seated left to right) have worked for several years to get the Listening
Hills subdivision off the ground. Lots in Phase 1 are currently being sold. Also pictured standing left is the new
owner of Peterson Realty, Keith Peterson and Peterson Realty Sales Agent Cindy Thrasher.
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Page 8
Community Progress
January 16, 2008
Sols Wash closures in effect
By Janet DelTufo
Assistant Editor
No longer will off-road or other recreational and non-recreational vehicles
be allowed into the Sols Wash from the
Hassayampa River for at least a mile
and a half west.
According to Wickenburg Police
Commander Gary Newton, times are
changing and safety has become the
No. 1 priority. With the Sols Wash
improvement project getting underway,
there are a number of risks involving
large pieces of heavy equipment versus
recreational users of the wash.
“There are already fences and no
trespassing signs posted along the
wash and Hassayampa River,” Newton
said. “And we have reached a point
where most of the wash is private
property and there is nothing that says
a property owner has to let others use
their property to access other recreational areas.”
Newton said that those who enter the
wash and soon the Hassayampa River
are subject to trespassing citations and
even criminal damage citations if the
individual destroys another person’s
fence or signage.
He said that certainly a quad or
another type of all-terrain vehicle could
flee from a standard police car while in
the sand. However, Newton said that
an individual taking flight from a law
enforcement officer could lead to the
person being charged with a felony.
“We know that it is going to be difficult for us to actually catch offenders,”
he said. “But we are going to work on
it and find a way.”
Newton said he is already thinking
about using cameras at wash access
points in order to help identify those
who trespass into the wash.
These new restrictions are now officially in place, and Newton said citations will be issued immediately. He
also said that as soon as bypass construction begins on the Hassayampa
Bridge, that the same restrictions will
apply in the Hassayampa River.
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January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 9
Sols Wash flood control project underway
Longtime residents of the downtown
area will remember the torrent of floodwater that roared down Sol’s Wash during a rainstorm on Oct. 21, 2000. The
water cascaded over Tegner Street,
inundating neighborhoods to the east
and flooding Coffinger Park.
In the aftermath of the flood, Town
of Wickenburg officials approached
the Flood Control District of Maricopa
County (District) for assistance in formulating a plan to prevent repeated
flooding along Sol’s Wash. A joint effort
between the Town and District resulted
in the Wickenburg Downtown Flooding
Hazard Mitigation Project, a comprehensive flood control plan that, when
completed in fall 2008, will contain the
water flow of a 100-year rainstorm with-
in the wash. The plan was developed,
approved, and is being funded by both
the Town and the District.
Construction workers broke ground
in the wash in the fall of 2007. The
project aims to reduce the flood hazard
along the wash and, in conjunction
with the Highway 93 Interim Bypass
Project, eliminate an existing floodplain
affecting more than 120 properties in
downtown Wickenburg.
The flood control components of the
project include channel excavation and
the removal of vegetation and existing wash bank protection, replacing
them with newly engineered rock and
wire bank protection and floodwalls.
Consideration for future landscaping
and aesthetic improvement along the
Major changes on Sols Wash
Photos by Janet DelTufo
wash is identified in the project agreement as a Town responsibility.
Construction extends from the
Arizona Department of Transportation’s
(ADOT) proposed U.S. 93 Interim
Bypass Bridge to approximately 1,600
feet upstream of the Tegner Street
Bridge, for a total distance of approximately 0.8 miles. ADOT’s bypass
embankment will act as a levee to
provide complementary flood control
benefits.
Project construction is scheduled to
last one year. Wickenburg residents are
reminded to stay clear of areas under
construction, including portions of Sols
Wash that may be closed to public travel during construction. In the interest
of safety, traffic controls will be set up
periodically during construction. Flyers
will be distributed periodically during
construction to provide updates and
other project information. Questions
and concerns regarding the project may
be addressed by calling the construction hotline phone number: 684-3629.
Additional project information may also
be viewed at www.ci.wickenburg.az.us
and www.fcd.maricopa.gov.
The Flood Control District of
Maricopa County is tasked to provide
regional flood hazard identification,
regulation, remediation, and education
to Maricopa County residents so that
they can reduce their risk of injury,
death, and property damage from flooding, while still enjoying the natural and
beneficial values served by floodplains.
Heavy earth-moving equipment removed hundreds of trees, dug huge retaining areas, and continue to change the face of Sols Wash. Tens of thousands
of cubic yards of sand and dirt have been removed (photo above). Much
of the work is quite close to residences and roadways (photo above right).
Longtime Wickenburg resident Darrell Singleton has been the most affected
by this project, losing many acres of his property where his horses and buggies were kept (photo right).
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Wickenburg, AZ 85390
(928)684-7114
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(928) 684-0710
Page 10
Community Progress
January 16, 2008
Festival Foothills school completed and open
By Patti Jares
Staff Writer
At times there was doubt it could be
done, but the new Festival Foothills school
is complete, and opened its doors to classes on Jan. 7.
Wickenburg’s newest elementary school,
located in Buckeye, held a ribbon-cutting
ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 28, with
a barbecue dinner for the public, marking the completion that seemed shaky at
times.
The project was initiated by Pulte Homes
“
But once the endeavor began, the market plummeted, and the 50 to 200 estimated student enrollment was reduced to
nine.
“The decision to build was a big one
for us,” said Wickenburg School Board
President Valerie Shumway. “We proceeded cautiously and deliberated a lot – even
sought professional studies.”
“The doors would not have opened
until 2009 or 10 without Pulte’s help,” said
District Superintendent Brett Richards. “I
think this is the first time in Arizona that
‘‘The decision to build
was a big one for us’’
Wickenburg School Board President
Valerie Shumway
and planned for the southern part of the
district when the housing market was hot.
Pulte Homes wanted to include an elementary school in its Festival Foothills housing
development, and offered the Wickenburg
School District $2.7 million and 16 acres
of donated land if the district would build
an elementary school. Wickenburg committed to the project, breaking ground in
January 2007.
Photo by Patti Jares
“
a developer has worked with a school
district to open a school before the School
Facilities Board (SFB) timeline.”
The SFB will not begin a school until
there are an estimated 200 students ready
to enroll.
“This was a new approach,” admitted
Richards. “With the state funding formula
(dollars paid to the school per student)
it would have been impossible without
Some parents drove 18 miles with children in tow to attend the Festival
Foothills Elementary School’s Ribbon-cutting and Open House ceremony in
Buckeye.
Pulte’s support. We started backwards here
– a ‘build it and they will come’ model.”
Festival Foothills Principal Marcia
Hespen is ready for the opening, virtually
working day and night to complete every
detail.
Hespen, who has virtually knocked on
doors in the Festival Foothills development to meet parents and students, admits
the whole experience has been an exciting
one.
“In terms of overall process, it’s been
one of the most rewarding things I’ve been
through, and I’ve been in education a long
time,” said Hespen.
The former Assistant Principal of
Wickenburg High School was approached
and given the job of creating the elementary school, from “ground zero.”
“As far as the (Festival Foothills) community, people down here don’t look at
this as Buckeye,” said Hespen. “They see
it as a Wickenburg school. People know
we have a solid base; the district lines go
in and out of towns, but we will always be
Wickenburg.”
Now Leasing
Open NVS Congress Medical Clinic on 10/29/2007
West Plaza
Shoppes
OPENING 2008
Dr Thomas Matlock, MD, Rose Allen, RN, & Kathy Steen, MA
Dolly Branski - Owner
* Full family practice, routine primary care medicine,
physicals, urgent care, flu shots, blood draws, referrals, etc.
* Wellness Group Lectures; this month on Diabetes
* Local Healthfair and Screenings for Adults and Children
* Flu vaccine clinic
* Home Visits
* Walk-ins Welcome
Have served over 200 patients from 2yrs to
95 yrs of age since opening.
Other services available in Wickenburg:
Dr Ravi, Cardiologist-Arizona Heart Hospital
Dr Sharma, Nephrology and Hypertension, Inc
Dr Kootman, Arrowhead Eye Center
New services now offered:
Susan Cosgrove, APRN BC Psychiatric Nurse Practicioner
Kathy Steen, MA Life Skills Counselor
PRIME RETAIL SPACE AVAILABLE SOON!
• Available Space 1,000 - 9,000 sq.ft.
• Will build to suit • Drive up window available
Adjacent to West Plaza with anchors
like Alco Dept. Store, CVS Drugs,
US Post Office and 6 others...
West
Plaza
Contact Information: Darrel L. Stadel, Owner/Broker
West Plaza Center LLC, 1265 Windmill Hill
Wickenburg, AZ 85390 (928)684-5737 • Cell (928)671-0911
Email: dlstadel@msn.com
January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 11
Bass Hill coming down
This hill, located on Wickenburg Way across from
the Country Kitchen restaurant, once held the
former home of Bill and Eleanor Bass. The house
was demolished by developer Jerry Diddy as a
part of the Bass Hill Project, and the hill is being
removed. The progress is slow, but the height of
the hill is gradually being cut away, with the plan
to make the lot buildable for roadside business.
Diddy did not disclose to the Wickenburg Sun his
future plans for the hill.
Photo by Patti Jares
Phase 3 for Mariposa Heights
L
Mariposa Heights, developed by Doug McLean Jr.
and his father Doug Sr., began Phase 3 in February
2007, building four houses on Sierra Vista, off south
Mariposa Drive. Of the four houses, one was purchased and moved into in August, one is complete,
and the two remaining spec houses are almost complete. The McCleans offered seven plan variations
for this third phase, ranging from 1,600 to 2,600
square-feet, although the four present houses are
2,000 to 2,600. “This is a family operation – I’ve
worked with and for my father since high school,”
said the Wickenburg High School graduate.
G
N
I
H
N
I
L
E
L
T
PHASE
ONE
S
IS
WICKENBURG, AZ
Located on the Historic Flying E. Ranch
One to Four Acre Lots with city water, power, telephone, paved streets and dry sewer.
Offered by Peterson Agency • 928.684.5129
Keith Peterson, Broker/Owner
Buyers must review A.D.R.E. public report
Page 12
Community Progress
January 16, 2008
Town’s annexation remains a work in progress
By Janet DelTufo
Assistant Editor
Despite concerns from a number of
residents, annexation continued as one
of the most progressive items of interest for the Town of Wickenburg during
2007.
Three time-consuming annexations
started taking shape in 2007, and it is
anticipated that they will be completed
in 2008.
Those annexations include the proposed Cooper, Highway 89/93, and
Hassayampa annexations.
The Cooper annexation is small, consisting of 12 acres and just four private
property owners. The Highway 89/93
annexation is much larger with 1,593
acres and 180 private property owners,
and the Hassayampa annexation is larger still with 3,279 acres and 230 private
property owners.
The Highway 89/93 annexation was
originally planned to be much larger
than the final plat indicated. It was
expected that Wickenburg Ranch would
be part of that annexation and possibly
the neighborhood of Moonlight Mesa.
However, after a change of ownership,
it was decided by the new owners that
Wickenburg Ranch would not come into
the town at this time. Also, there was
not much support from the residents of
Moonlight Mesa to annex.
There are residents in both the
Highway 89/93 and Hassayampa annexation who do not want to be part of
these annexation projects; however, as
Councilwoman Kristi Henson recently
told a large and vocal group, quite a
number of residents in these proposed
annexation areas do desire annexation
into the town.
The Hassayampa annexation is critical to the Town of Wickenburg. It must
be completed before the town can begin
trying to annex to the intersection of
U.S. Highway 60 and State Route 74.
It is expected that this intersection
will one day be a major economic driver
for the municipality that annexes that
area. It is expected to contain largescale commercial shopping centers and
other business complexes.
This annexation area north and west of Wickenburg is smaller than originally
planned
This annexation brings a small area into the town limits.
The Hassayampa annexation is the largest of the three currently in process.
(928) 684-5454
www.wickenburgsun.com
Watch Wickenburg Grow
By Subscribing Today!
180 N. Washington St. • Wickenburg, AZ 85390
January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 13
‘Shoppes’ still to come
on West Wickenburg Way
No progress has yet been made on
the proposed new retail/business center
adjacent to West Plaza planned by Darrel
and Debra Stadel. This center, to be called
Wickenburg Shoppes at West Plaza, was
approved by the Planning and Zoning
Commission in the fall of 2007 and has yet
to break ground.
The center, to be located at West
Wickenburg Way and east of Vulture Mine
Road, will house seven occupants, including anchor tenant Wells Fargo Bank.
Zoned commercial (C-3), the 1.3-acre
center will consist of 12,250 square feet
and will provide 66 parking spaces. The
land is currently vacant.
The decision to approve the site plan
was unanimous among commission members, and it was recommended for approval by the staff of the Wickenburg Planning
and Building Department.
Commission Chairman Bill Cowles
commented on the “excellent” job Stadel
did on the West Plaza remodel, and he
said the new center will make the town
proud.
This on-site sign announces building plans for West Plaza
Shoppes
Rendering presented to Planning and Zoning for the business center
Wickenburg’s top 10 employers
By Patti Jares
Staff Writer
There was no dramatic fluctuation in Wickenburg’s
Top 10 Employers list in 2007, in fact all kept their
2006 ranking, with the exception of Safeway, which
slipped to its 2005 position of number 6.
The total number of people employed by the Top
10 is 1,504 – up 17 from the 2006 total of 1,487.
Remuda remains Wickenburg’s No. 1 employer
with 496 employees – up 18 from last year.
Wickenburg Unified School District is No. 2, with
255 employees, including substitute teachers and
coaches. The school is down 16 from last year’s 271,
largely due to the fact that some coaching positions
have been filled by teachers, and not all coaching
positions have yet been filled, according to District
Secretary Liz Powell.
The Meadows is No. 3 with 182 employees, up 15
from 2006.
Rancho de los Caballeros is down 15 employees
from 2006, but with 150 they again rank No. 4.
Wickenburg Hospital regained its 2005 ranking of
No. 5, employing 116 in 2007 – up 12 from last year.
Safeway dropped to No. 6 with 96 employees; 14
less than 2006.
The Town of Wickenburg is No. 7, with 10 additional employees in 2007, totaling 87.
Bashas’ remained No. 8 with 60 employees – the
same as 2006.
Bear Cat Inc. held its rank of No. 9 with 48 employees - the same number of employees as last year.
Benner-Nawman remained No. 10 with 22 employees at the end of 2007, 12 less than 2006.
Bromm Auto Group, L.L.C.
“An American Revolution”
“Beyond Precision”
Ed Hunt
Enterprise 1-800-RENT-A-CAR is
now located in our location
555 E. Wickenburg Way • (928) 684-5436
Sun City (623) 975-2900 • Phoenix (602) 258-4120
Page 14
Community Progress
January 16, 2008
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Wickenburg Ranch continues grading and earth-moving to build golf course
and infrastructure in preparation of early 2009 opening.
Wickenburg Ranch’s golf course,
infrastructure moving forward
335 W. Wickenburgy Way
243 North Frontier Street
Wickenburg, Arizona 85390
By Art Pulis
Wickenburg Business Advocate
Most would probably say that the wholesale movement of dirt north of town on
Highway 89/93 is far less than attractive.
Unless, of course, you are a lover of yellow construction equipment and happy
to see it busy at a time when most other
construction has slowed down.
The second half of 2007 and 2008 will be
a period of golf course construction and
infrastructure preparation for Wickenburg
Ranch. This is a planned community that
will eventually contain 2300 homes on the
2200 acres that was once Merv Griffin’s
Wickenburg Inn property.
The present activity at the Wickenburg
Ranch is the preparation for an 18-hole
championship golf course, country club
and multi-million dollar equestrian center. Adaptive grading is taking place on
approximately one-third of the property
to prepare the land for the above amenities plus future additions. This grading
process is a much less disruptive method
since dirt found on the site is simply relocated to other areas within the property
and utilized to prepare the terrain.
Although this activity equates to more
than 30,000 cubic yards of dirt being
shifted around the site daily, this method
eliminates traffic and debris from construction vehicles entering and exiting the
highway.
Aside from the golf course and equestrian center, an extensive array of amenities
will be created within Wickenburg Ranch
such as the old Wickenburg Inn lodge, an
athletic center, tennis courts and swimming pool, hiking and biking trails, a ranch
camp and a resort. The former lodge and
casitas have long since been abandoned
and left to the elements, yet to preserve a
piece of nostalgic history, efforts are being
taken to utilize components of the existing
structures in the future amenities.
The depth of the restoration of these
buildings is yet unknown and is currently
being assessed by historic preservation
specialist Bill Otwell to determine restorative feasibility. Both the golf course and
equestrian center are slated to open by
early 2009, with the remainder of the amenities opening in phases throughout the
following year.
The recently restored Texas Hotel in
downtown Wickenburg will become the
local office for M3 Companies. Presently
it is undergoing final decorating changes
and will become available for community
gatherings until permanently occupied as
an office.
Sunshine Plaza and The Learning Connection
A storage unit at Sunshine Plaza reduces the chaos
in your house, apartment or garage. A tutor reduces
the chaos in your family, especially at homework
time. Valerie operates The Learning Connection
(TLC) out of the Sunshine Plaza office where
she tutors students in all subject areas, as well as
homework and study skills.
For the peace and well-being of your home and family, Call Valerie!
SUNSHINE PLAZA & STORAGE
1020 W. Wickenburg Way, Suite #7 • 684-3550 available 24 hours
The Learning Connection (928) 684-3660
M3 Companies’ renovated Texas Hotel in downtown Wickenburg
January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 15
Infrastructure is built
as projects sit idle
By Janet DelTufo
Assistant Editor
Ground has yet to break on a number of housing developments, yet adjacent infrastructure is currently being
installed. Saddleback Ranch, Country
Club Estates, and Calamity Wash are
three of these developments.
Each of these projects received final
rezoning approvals in 2007 with agreements requiring infrastructure upgrades.
Only Saddleback Ranch has had a building plan approved.
The Town of Wickenburg is upgrading
its sewer lines throughout the town, and
officials struck separate and different
agreements with all three developments
so that new lines compatible with future
growth could be installed.
A new sewer line from My Father’s
Retirement Ranch to Country Club
Estates has recently been completed, and
that portion of the sewer line upgrade is
98 percent complete.
This new line will hook up to a future
line that will start at Country Club Estates
and go to Saddleback Ranch. Eventually
this line will connect to a sewer line from
state land and adjacent Listening Hills
development.
Saddleback Ranch has been planned
to accommodate 115 units on 80 acres
and is located behind Stewart Hardware
on West Wickenburg Way. Country Club
Estates consists of 54 acres, which surrounds the Wickenburg Country Club
Golf Course, and has been slated for 123
single family luxury homes.
The Calamity Wash project is a proposed 226-acre resort community located
at the southeast end of town and is
expected to consist of 83-100 single family home sites, 239-280 casitas, 350-423
patio homes, 350-600 hotel rooms, and
retail shops.
Prior to rezoning approval, Calamity
Wash project leaders Michael Pierce and
Carol Vernon wrote a $365,000 check to
cover expenses for the sewer and water
line extension on U.S. Highway 60 from
Big O Tires to the Calamity Wash property. Bids on that project are expected to
go out early this year.
The town’s planning and building
department has not yet received building
plans from either Country Club Estates
or Calamity Wash. However, a set of
improvement plans from Saddleback
Ranch has been submitted to the town’s
public works department, and the developer has begun the process of staking
out the property.
Franklin Homes’ Saddleback
Ranch plans (top photo) shows a
mixed-density land use with open
spaces and horse trails preserved.
The Calamity Wash project (middle
and lower photos) intends to take
advantage of the hilly terrain by terracing the construction.
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Page 16
Community Progress
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January 16, 2008
Streetscape statues
progressing
A recent visit to the New Jersey studio of world renowned artist J. Seward
Johnson by local residents Ginny and
Dick DeVore revealed that the sculptures being prepared for downtown
Wickenburg are moving forward ahead
of schedule. The artwork will be the generous gift of the DeVore Foundation.
“We were excited to see the progress,”
said Ginny. “The works look wonderful
and we are pleased that they are moving
more quickly than we anticipated.”
Dick DeVore explained that the piec-
es are progressing from the smaller
maquette stage to the life-size sculpture.
Following that they will be converted
into finished bronzes and then painted.
DeVore now anticipates they may be
delivered in one lot as early as the end of
this summer.
The bases and future locations of some
pieces are already being prepared with
the streetscape work presently being
done on Frontier Street.
To learn more about the artist visit
www.SewardJohnson.com
Scott Voehl
Your Independent Insurance Agency Representing:
In process sculptures by J. Seward Johnson © 2007 The Sculpture
Foundation
335 W. Wickenburg Way
928-684-7871
FAX 684-3619
January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 17
Streetscape moves forward despite obstacles
By Tamara Thomas
Editor
As Phase I of Wickenburg’s
Streetscape Project slowly moves
toward completion, Phase II of the
project had its official kick-off in late
November. A second design meeting
will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday (Jan.
22) in council chambers, and all concerned business owners and residents
are encouraged to attend.
This second phase of the downtown
beautification project is now in the
design stage, which is scheduled to last
90 to 120 days. Once the design is complete, the plan is to award the contract
in May, with construction completed
in September of 2008. The meeting
next week is a joint meeting with the
Downtown Revitalization Commission
and the Destination Wickenburg Task
force. It is intended to narrow the
options and review some of the design
specifications of Phase II.
Phase II includes a larger area of
downtown – from the alley behind
Rancho Bar 7 on the south side, to
the Community Center on the north,
bordered by Tegner on the west, and
to include the current bridge across
the Hassayampa – which will become
a pedestrian bridge once the bypass
project is complete.
The contract for Phase II has been
awarded to Logan Simpson Design
of Tempe and W.C. Scoutten, Inc. of
Litchfield Park – the same companies who are responsible for Phase I.
Representatives of both companies will
be on hand at the Jan. 22 meeting to
discuss the initial plans and to answer
questions.
Phase I is far behind the original schedule, with planned completion now targeted for early 2008. The
Phase I area includes improvements to
Frontier Street from U.S. Highway 60 to
North Tegner Street as well as Apache
and Yavapai streets from Tegner to
Frontier, and also includes surface
improvements to “Caballero Trail” (the
alleyway) from U.S. Highway 60 to
North Frontier Street.
A number of issues have delayed
Phase I. The main hold-up was the
removal of power poles from the alleyway. Both Cox Cable and Qwest had
to remove and relocate their wires
before APS could remove the poles.
The remaining poles were taken down
in December, and final paving of the
alleyway has begun.
Another delay was caused while modifying the waterlines on Frontier Street.
In order to complete the new irrigation and improve the existing waterlines on that street, the 4-inch line
needs to be temporarily shut down.
Town of Wickenburg’s Public Works
Department had not been able to locate
a shut-off valve for that line, forcing a
possible shut-off of the main line to the
area.
“We haven’t been able to find a
valve on that 4-inch line – anywhere,”
declared Community Services Director
Steve McKay. “We may have to shut
the 12-inch line down briefly in order
to get the work finished.”
However, a valve was finally located and the waterline construction finished.
McKay stated that he felt Phase I
would likely be completed in January.
As Phase II gets underway, the Town
will be repairing water and sewer lines
in the Phase II area. The infrastructure
repairs must be completed before the
Streetscape construction can begin.
“I have assurances from the Town
that they will not delay the project,”
said Commission Chairman Lon
McDermott. “We should have no problems this time staying on schedule.”
McKay stated that the water and sewer
projects are beginning construction in
January.
Funding for the Streetscape Project
is from the BBB tax (bed, board, beverage), and is on target. The BBB tax is set
to “sunset” after the project is finished.
Funding for the pedestrian bridge is
coming from a Wellik Foundation grant
in the amount of $60,000.
A rendering of North Tegner after Streetscape improvements
Additional meetings are planned for
Phase II, and all interested citizens are
encouraged to attend. The Task Force
will meet again at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.
26. At that time, the design should be
60 percent complete. There will be a
design review at this public meeting.
The Task Force will meet again at 4
p.m., Tuesday, March 4 to review and
possibly approve the final design. Bids
should go out for construction early in
April with a bid date of April 30.
For more information and detailed
graphics on the Streetscape project,
visit the Town of Wickenburg’s Web
site at ci.wickenburg.az.us.
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Page 18
Community Progress
January 16, 2008
Discount Packages For: Firemen,
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More than 8,000 cubic yards of fill dirt have been brought in, preparing the
building site for the new McKeever’s Ace Hardware.
Sponsor of
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36 E. Yavapai • Wickenburg, AZ 85390
Tues. - Fri. 9 am - 5:30 pm
Sat. 9 am - 1 pm
(928) 684-2149
520 N. Frontier St.
McKeever’s Ace moves dirt,
prepares for construction
By Tamara Thomas
Editor
Brent McKeever, owner of McKeever’s
Ace Hardware, is looking forward to the
completion of his new building, however the process of construction is a
slow one.
“We received a grant from the state
Department of Economic Development
for $66,120,” explained a smiling
McKeever. “That’s going to help
defray some of the cost of the turn
lane that ADOT (Arizona Department of
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and much more. All that dirt has to be
smoothed, compacted. It’s a huge process.”
When that process is complete, bids
for constructing the ADOT-required
turn lane off of West Wickenburg Way
will be accepted and a contractor chosen
for that part of the project. Construction
of the building will follow.
Financing too, is critical.
“I have a six-month timeframe in which
to erect the building,” stated McKeever.
“SBA (Small Business Administration)
is providing financing for this, and they
‘I can’t put the cart in front
of the horse,”
Ace Hardware owner
Brent McKeever
But McKeever was quick to point out
that this project can only proceed one
step at a time, and the turn lane was not
first. The property is located on several
acres on West Wickenburg Way, adjacent to the LDS Church.
“At least 8,000 cubic yards of fill have
been brought in,” he said, “and we may
need more yet.” The fill dirt is one facet
of the massive grading and drainage
project that must be completed before
the turn lane construction begins.
“Years ago a pipe was put in that
drains water from Country Club Park
across the street onto what is now my
property,” McKeever explained. “I have
to put in pipes to connect those drains,
provide an outlet for all that water.
There’ll be a retention pond in the back,
“
only give you six months from when the
first stick is raised, so I’ve got to have
everything ready before that begins. I
can’t put the cart in front of the horse.”
McKeever was pleased with the fact
that the Feds have cut the interest rates
a number of times since the inception of
his project.
“Every quarter of a percent saves me
about $1500 a month on my payment.”
And the outlay of money has already
been huge. “My engineer alone has
billed me more than $17,000!”
But despite the slowness of the project, and the financial burdens incurred,
McKeever is excited.
“This will be an asset to Wickenburg,
I think.” he said. “I’m looking forward
to it.”
January 16, 2008
Community Progress
Page 19
Monte Vista Ranch adds ‘The Lodge’
Wickenburg’s luxurious residential
centerpiece, Monte Vista Ranch, added
one more impressive amenity to its
neighborhood in 2007.
The Lodge, a 3,300-square-foot community center that can be used by both
the ranch’s resident community as well
as limited Wickenburg community use,
was completed in the final quarter of
2007 and already has booked a handful
of events.
The new facility occupies the same site
as the original lodge building – a favorite
gathering place when Monte Vista Ranch
was one of Wickenburg’s more popular
dude ranches from 1926 to 1965.
The Lodge includes an exercise room,
kitchen and a large great room that can
be opened onto a spacious covered patio.
An extended area for outdoor dining and
entertainment adjacent to a pool/spa
includes an outdoor fireplace and barbecue area, a putting green, a grassy
horseshoe area, and a stone walkway
that winds through the meticulously
landscaped property.
“It provides another opportunity to
show the public everything we’re doing
here,” noted Monte Vista Properties
Broker John Grimes.
The different projects on the 300-acre
development located in the northwest
end of downtown Wickenburg include
the Ranch Estates, Ranch Villas and
Ranch Cottages.
Construction of two homes is nearly
completed in the first phase of Ranch
Estates, and a third is just beginning
construction. There are a total of 22 lots
in the first two phases, with another
13 lots in the yet-to-be-developed third
phase – all ranging in size from 2.5 to 7
acres.
Ranch Villas consists of 15 lots and
has four models already constructed that
range in size from almost 2,900 to nearly
3,500 square feet in size and starting at
less than $900,000.
Construction plans were delayed in
2007 for the new Ranch Cottages, which
features smaller versions of the Villas
– ranging in size from 1,650 to 2,200
square feet.
Future plans for Monte Vista Ranch
include a state-of-the-art equestrian center with boarding stables, a paddock
area and a large grazing pasture. A
commercial village also is planned in the
existing pastures (visible from Highway
93) between the home sites and the
equestrian center.
Monte Vista Ranch was originally settled in 1889 by Belasario Castro, who
built a store, a stagecoach station and
Outdoor features at the new community center at Monte
Vista
a bar on 16,000 acres of land. In 1903,
it was obtained by Ignacio Garcia, who
operated it as a cattle ranch until 1926 –
when it was sold to Lewis “Bob” White.
After White operated it as a working guest ranch from 1926 to 1965, a
126-acre parcel that contained the main
house of the guest ranch was purchased
by today’s owner Keith Schuck’s father
Kent, who later acquired an additional
275 adjacent acres.
Keith eventually purchased the family
home and land in 1999 and opened the
new Monte Vista Ranch five years later.
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Page 20
Community Progress
January 16, 2008
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