Maricopa, Arizona

MAR I COPA , AR I ZONA year, with all the distractions and hurdles of the last few months, the city has still managed to process 416 permits for new single-family homes – and 95 of those were in June. Several high-density housing projects are also in the works. One apartment complex currently under construction will add 120 housing units to the city’s housing inventory; another townhome development will add 196; and a condo project will bring 200 new units. “We want to avoid as much urban sprawl as possible,” says Steele, “so there aren’t many islands getting built. It’s gradual growth with one neighborhood being developed next to another; avoiding any leap frog development by focusing on infill. One very cool project we’re working on is Maricopa Station, near the city’s center core right by the AMTRAK station. One of the oldest neighborhoods in Maricopa, it existed well before the city was incorporated and has long been known as the Maricopa Town Site. We created a special zoning district, or overlay, for it that really enhances and highlights the agricultural history of that area. The new architectural style we want to see there is an agrarian/agricultural/ southwest kind of feel that encourages mixed-use development, so people who have lived there a long time can also have their business there, and it all has a cohesive community feel. While we love seeing brand new subdivisions occurring in other parts of the city, we also are giving just as much, if not more, attention to our existing neighborhoods.” The concept is to make Maricopa Station a “let’s go to” destination with an eclectic neighborhood feel and a myriad of uses and architectural looks that contribute to the charm. Recently, the Mayor and City Council members renamed some streets in the area to highlight the history of the community. For instance, Maricopa Casa Grande Highway has been changed to Mercado (Spanish for Market Street). Pershing Street is now Main Street. Caesar Chavez Lane, Stagecoach Lane, and Heritage Lane also reflect the past of that Maricopa Station Concept Plan