The Maricopa Association of Governments Quarterly Newsletter February—April 2020 Vol. 25: No. 1 Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway Opens to Traffic Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway has been on the map since 1985 he Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, also known as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Director John TCongressman Ed Pastor Freeway, is now open to traf- Halikowski, and other Valley leaders. fic, providing a direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and serving as a much-needed alternative to Interstate “Arizona has solidified its reputation as a state that is open for 10 through downtown Phoenix. The freeway will complete opportunity, and as we welcome hundreds of new residents the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley and every day, we are making sure our infrastructure remains some improve the quality of life in a fast-growing region. of the best in America,” Governor Ducey said. “This Loop 202 opening represents a big step forward in connecting the East The freeway opened Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, three days after and West Valleys, as well as prioritizing safety for drivers. My a grand opening ceremony that featured Governor Doug thanks to the local, state, tribal, federal and private partners Ducey, Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Chair who helped bring this project to fruition ahead of schedule Mark Mitchell, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Federal Highway with major cost savings.” Administration (FHWA) Arizona Administrator Karla Petty, Continued on page 10 Message From the Chair .................. 2 Affordable Housing (continued) ........... 7 Voices From the Council .................... 3 McSally/Stanton Tourism Bill ........... 8 INSIDE Put Your Money Where Your House Is .. 3 Broadway Road Improvements ........... 9 Regional Profile: Mayor Hermosillo ..... 4 South Mountain Freeway (continued) ... 10 this issue The Road Ahead in 2020 ...................... 5 Upcoming 2020 Census ..................... 11 Homeless Point in Time Count.............. 6 Calendar ............................................ 12 Message From the Chair MAG Regional Council Members had the unique pleasure of was included as part of Proposi- Executive Committee Members Mayor Mark Mitchell being the MAG chair as the Val- tion 300 in 1985. Since then, it has I Tempe, Chair ley saw the opening of Congress- faced a number of obstacles. First, Mayor Jerry Weiers man Ed Pastor Freeway (Loop 202 it met delays due to a declining Glendale, Vice Chair Mayor John Giles South Mountain)—the largest free- economy and funding limitations. Mesa, Treasurer way project in state history. Never It also required the deliberative Mayor Kenneth Weise before have 22 miles of freeway and detailed development of al- Avondale, At-Large Member Mayor Mark Mayor Kate Gallego Mitchell, City of opened up in one fell swoop. I was ternatives, and the most extensive Phoenix, At-Large Member Tempe proud to witness this milestone, environmental review of any high- Mayor Anna Tovar Tolleson, At-Large Member not only as the leader of an East way project to date. Lastly, it had Mayor Gail Barney Valley community that will see to overcome legal challenges that Queen Creek, Past Chair an important new connection to were finally resolved in late 2017. Councilmember Robin Barker the Southwest Valley, but also as Apache Junction the representative of MAG, which The freeway will create important Mayor Jackie Meck charted the course for this day 30 new economic opportunities. As Buckeye Mayor Les Peterson years ago. noted in our cover story, MAG Carefree estimates that the majority of Councilmember David Smith Cave Creek MAG worked tirelessly over three the population and employment Mayor Kevin Hartke decades to see this moment, and it growth in our region will take Chandler was my honor to be the chair who place within the areas of the Valley Mayor Alexis Hermosillo El Mirage bears final witness to the delivery of connected by the South Mountain Mayor Tara Walter a promise to Maricopa County vot- Freeway corridor. This means Florence President Bernadine Burnette ers to complete the Loop 101 and economic vitality not just for those Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation 202 system. It truly was a historic areas, but for the entire region. Mayor Ginny Dickey moment. Fountain Hills Mayor Tommy Lee Sikes That is why I also want to take Gila Bend But I want to take this opportunity this opportunity to express my Governor Stephen Roe Lewis to speak directly to those com- gratitude for my Regional Council Gila River Indian Community Mayor Jenn Daniels muters who are now traveling this predecessors and peers, as well as Gilbert pavement on a daily basis. Because to numerous MAG staff who have Mayor Georgia Lord Goodyear of your support, we have the op- worked on this project. I applaud Mayor Valerie Molina portunity we need to position our previous Regional Councils for Guadalupe region for growth and opportunity. their leadership in bringing us to Mayor Thomas Schoaf Litchfield Park This new freeway will connect this important freeway facility. I Mayor Christian Price communities and employment also want to call out two people Maricopa (City of) Supervisor Clint Hickman centers that will bring about future who were involved with this project Maricopa County prosperity, and for that, we are from the beginning: current Exec- Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner grateful for your support. utive Director Eric Anderson and Paradise Valley Mayor Cathy Carlat former MAG Executive Director Peoria The freeway was first identified Supervisor Todd House as the South Mountain Loop, and Continued on page 3 Pinal County President Martin Harvier Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Mayor Mark Mitchell Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane City of Tempe, Regional Council Chair Scottsdale Mayor Skip Hall Eric J. Anderson, Executive Director Surprise Mayor Rui Pereira MAGAZine is a quarterly newsletter of the Maricopa Association MAG Contributors: Laurie Berg Sapp, John Wickenburg of Governments (MAG). It focuses on the issues and concerns Bullen, Sarah Kent, Audra Koester Thomas, Mayor Michael LeVault Marcy McMacken, Brande Mead, Kristin of the cities, towns, counties, and Native nations of the MAG Youngtown Myers, Anne Scott, Shantae Smith Sam Elters & Jack Sellers region. If you know of a friend or colleague who would like to Arizona Department of Transportation receive MAGAZine, please call the MAG office, (602) 254-6300. Kelly Taft, Editor; Gordon Tyus, Graphics Visit www.azmag.gov and click on Regional Council. Page 2 MAGAZine Voices From the Council 2019 Homelessness is a complicated issue, and resources are finite. That’s why working together is so important. By partnering with cities and towns that are also making large investments in homelessness, we can make our dollars stretch further and increase our impact. —Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers, Arizona State Transportation Board Chandler is focused on providing forward-thinking transportation networks that connect our community to the Greater Phoenix region and allow convenient access to our employment corridors. The opening of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway expansion is extremely exciting for the City as it is connects to a vibrant and dynamic employment corridor. We have seen redevelopment and repositioning of existing buildings to attract companies that will benefit from this enhanced access. With this convenient connection to the West Valley, I look forward to working with regional partners to continue bringing a diverse array of high quality jobs to the state. —Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke Message From the Chair Putting Your Money Where Your House Is (continued from page 2) As housing costs soar, economic development Dennis Smith. They stimulated, leaders seek ways to create affordable housing sustained and steered this proj- ect through several transporta- s the Valley’s population tion elections and numerous A continues to grow, the region rounds of determining funding is seeing significant increases in priorities. It was their vision and housing demand, but the supply of stewardship that saw this project affordable housing is decreasing. through to its completion. As housing costs increase faster than income, many residents are And while we are discussing struggling. The Maricopa Associa- visionaries, we are naming this tion of Governments Economic stretch of highway after one of Development Committee (MAG the most iconic Congressional EDC) recently convened a group delegates for Arizona. of experts to discuss the need for affordable housing solutions. Congressman Ed Pastor served Arizona for 24 years in Congress “The market is moving along by flippers or sitting empty for and served on the County Board smoothly, but there are a lot of long periods of time. of Supervisors before that. He differences between today and the was instrumental in shaping previous boom,” said Jim Belfiore, “If you drive around a new home the Phoenix metro area that we founder and president of Belfiore community, you’re going to see see today. Nearly every major Real Estate Consulting. “The ma- curtains in the windows. People infrastructure project in Arizona jor difference is there is a lack of are purchasing them, and they’re during his years of service was supply in the marketplace.” living in them,” Belfiore said. helped to fruition by Ed Pastor. Not only a lack of supply, but “With land and labor costs ris- So the next time you are driv- with millennials, empty nesters, ing at a double-digit percentage ing on the Loop 202, let it be a and middle income Americans rate in recent years, ‘affordable’ reminder of the hard work put in jumping back into the market, housing is difficult to tackle,” said by Congressman Pastor and know vacancy rates are low for both Belfiore. Contributing to the rise that you are driving on what 30 rental and for-sale housing. Gone in home prices is that construction years ago was just a dream. are the days of homes being owned Continued on page 7 February—April 2020 Page 3 Regional Profile: Mayor Alexis Hermosillo Childhood Dreams Become Reality for El Mirage Mayor fourth-generation resident of “She has a passion for law and jus- A El Mirage, Mayor Alexis tice.