By Bob Burns
Mail

Town of Fountain Hills Economic Development Director Amanda Jacobs has been working over the past year developing an implementation plan for a downtown development strategy approved by the Town Council in the fall of 2023. She presented a proposal to the council during a workshop session held Dec. 5.

Jacobs’ plan has refocused the downtown to the area between El Lago Boulevard on the south, Saguaro Boulevard on the east and La Montana Drive between El Lago and Saguaro. The original area of the downtown proposed in 2009 included areas outside this block that have since been developed as well as a larger portion of Fountain Park, which has been reduced to a small area along the Saguaro Boulevard frontage.

The objectives for the work include continued improvements on the Avenue of the Fountains as well as Verde River Drive north of Avenue of the Fountains and Parkview Avenue between La Montana and Saguaro.

The scope of the work outlined by Jacobs includes the design and construction of numerous improvements that have been discussed by the council including lighting, sidewalks, landscaping, sign package and placemaking.

The council discussion Dec. 5 was focused on budgeting, particularly with an eye toward FY26, which staff are currently in the midst of developing. Jacobs is proposing a budget of $675,000 for next fiscal year that would go primarily toward engineering/design for the east portion of Avenue of the Fountains. She also offered the council a look at options for spreading the work and costs out over five years and also eight years. Both have an estimated total of approximately $12 million. The original more-or-less off the cuff estimate Jacobs provided the council during early presentations was roughly $20 million. The greatest single year estimate is about $3 million for construction along Parkview Avenue.

Jacobs specified that the proposal she was putting forward does not include connectivity access between Avenue of the Fountains and Fountain Park across Saguaro Boulevard. It also does not include improvements to two common areas along the north side of the Avenue at approximately the halfway points between Saguaro and Verde River and La Montana and Verde River.

Jacobs noted there is a portion of the local sales tax dedicated to downtown, as well as potential funding from the capital budget for the work. She said the council should be particularly concerned about the budget proposal for FY26 with the multi-year plan depending on budget appropriations and economic conditions. Jacobs said she would have finalized numbers for FY26 for the council at its February budget workshop.

She will also ask for council feedback regarding design standards, façade improvement program and mural program for building exteriors.

During the discussion, council members expressed some caution about the cost numbers but indicated a willingness to look at specifics presented at budget time. Council members also seemed hesitant to be involved in a mural program as it relates to private property.

The Times Independent invites readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Bob Burns can be reached at bburns@iniusa.org.