By Richard Gohl | Fountain Hills
Remember when the fence went up downtown along the Avenue of the Fountains between Saguaro Boulevard and the Park Place apartment with the promise that Phase 2 and 3 were “coming soon?” If so, you’ve been here at least three years, because that’s how long it’s been and still there is no progress.
Since then, the original development agreement between the town and the developer expired. An extension was negotiated and expired. Promises were made, once again, that financing was imminent. The developer sued and settled with the town in Superior Court.
Ultimately, a new development agreement was negotiated, and it too expired, and was extended. Still, construction has not begun.
Note that a portion of the property is owned by the town, upon which the town allowed a fence to be erected, I assume as an act of good faith. The property appears to have become a storage yard. It is an eyesore right next to our most visited park and in full view of our retail district.
Mayor Gerry Friedel in January said in his State of the Town address that he was told a construction loan would be in place by the end of March 2025, and shovels would be in the ground in April. So, it is mid-April ... where are the shovels, the construction crews, the announcement that financing for the project has been secured, that a permit has been applied, at least?
It’s not like the town hasn’t been accommodating. The promises just don’t materialize. It’s time we see signs of progress or move the stored materials out and take the fence down.
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