Eye on Buckeye | December 2025 | Year Review

on Buckeye December 2025

2025

Review Year in

on Buckeye the official publication of the city of Buckeye

December 2025

4 Dining Options

Growing Retail and Buckeye Bonds at Work

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Buckeye’s Growing Job Market

8 Opening

Joe Foss Grand

COUNCIL UPDATE

Councilmember Patrick HagEstad

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t’s my honor to welcome you to Buckeye’s Year in Review as we celebrate one of the most exciting and transformative years in our city’s history. Across Buckeye, we saw remarkable progress with new retail and dining options, major employers investing in our community and our first bond measure in nearly 40 years now fueling critical transportation and public safety improvements.

Our economy continued to thrive with expansions from major employers, while development projects delivered new amenities for our growing city. And I look forward to sharing more economic development news for District 4 soon.

Roadway improvements advanced citywide, including major work in District 4 such as new pavers throughout Festival Ranch. Our Police and Fire departments strengthened services through new facilities, updated technology and expanded community partnerships. We also proudly reopened the improved Joe Foss Shooting Complex.

This year’s events set new records, from the largest-ever Buckeye Marathon to an unforgettable Buckeye Air Fair that welcomed more than 36,000 visitors. Long-standing traditions like Independence Day and the 85th annual Halloween Carnival brought our community together and supported local nonprofits.

CITY OF BUCKEYE 530 E. Monroe Ave. Buckeye, AZ 85326 623.349.6000 For more information on this publication, contact John O’Halloran at johalloran@buckeyeaz.gov

Buckeye is moving forward with tremendous momentum and this progress reflects the commitment of our residents, businesses, partners and city staff. Thank you for being part of an incredible year, our future has never looked brighter.

BUCKEYE CITY COUNCIL Eric Orsborn, Mayor Tony Youngker, District 1 Jamaine Berry, District 2 Curtis Beard, District 3 Patrick HagEstad, District 4 Craig Heustis, District 5 Clay Goodman, Vice Mayor, District 6

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Police Chief Robert Sanders speaks about the Real Time Information Center during the 911 Communications Center ribbon cutting ceremony.

Buckeye Police: Keeping our community safe

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hat a year 2025 was for the Buckeye Police Department! BPD focused on every aspect of keeping our community safe, from upgrading our technology and services to strengthening the bonds with our residents and collaborating with our public safety partners.

A major highlight was moving Buckeye Police Telecommunicators into a brand new 911 Communications Center. This state-of-the-art facility features a dispatch room designed to expand as the city grows. It also houses the Real Time Information Center (RTIC). This technology hub uses a network of cameras to allow our team to quickly get eyes on an incident, ensuring we dispatch resources efficiently and keep our responding officers and neighbors safe.

BPD helped organize the first-ever Buckeye Fentanyl Forum alongside the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and other prevention partners. They also proudly hosted our Citizens Academy, giving residents and business owners a detailed look at our operations and services. This academy was a twoway street, providing officers a chance to listen and learn from neighbors who are dedicated to the city’s safety.

Collaboration was crucial for fighting crime this year.

Buckeye police detectives assisted neighboring agencies in investigating incidents as part of the West Valley Investigative Response Team. This summer, investigators also teamed up with communications companies to catch a suspect responsible for stealing equipment from cell towers, a crime that disrupted service for people across the state.

The department is looking ahead to 2026 with plans to enhance community partnership and strategic growth to keep ahead of the city’s rapid growth.

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Meet Moose, one of Buckeye’s new K9 Therapy dogs.

25 years of excellence!

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he Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department (BFMRD) had a landmark year, keeping pace with the city’s rapid growth and ensuring services exceeded resident expectations.

BFMRD opened Fire Station 707 in the Blue Horizons area this past January. This new facility, housing both a fire engine and a ladder truck, reduces response times, providing quicker assistance and preventing greater loss of property. The addition of this station strengthens the department’s profile of personnel, equipment and apparatuses.

Recognizing the demands of the job, BFMRD launched a new K-9 Therapy Program to provide emotional support to its team.

Four new members: Millie, Moose, Kobe and Piper, now report to duty daily to offer emotional relief after intense calls. This support is already making a difference, helping firefighters and staff process intense situations and remain ready for the next call.

Finally, the department marked a major historical milestone, celebrating 25 years of service to the Buckeye community since its commissioning on August 1, 2000. BFMRD looks forward to protecting lives and saving property for another 25 years and beyond.

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Growing Retail & Dining Options B

uckeye’s Economic Development team continues to work hard to attract quality retail and dining choices that reflect our community’s needs and values.

In November, we celebrated the ribbon cutting of Buckeye Commons East, a new development bringing essential services and exciting new businesses to the area.

Several new restaurants and services have already opened or are coming soon to Roosevelt Commons, with more to follow at Buckeye Commons West and The Mix on Roosevelt.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for the Verrado Marketplace, set to open in Summer 2026, which will offer even more shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities for Buckeye residents.

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Buckeye Commons West NW Corner Verrado & Roosevelt • In-N-Out • Oregano’s • Raising Cane’s

• Superstar Car Wash

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Roosevelt Commons

SW Corner Verrado & Roosevelt • • • • •

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First Watch Goodwill Hampton Inn Mattress Firm McDonald’s

• • •

Panda Express Roosevelt Commons Dental SomeBurros

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Verrado Marketplace Verrado & McDowell • • • • • • • • • •

America’s Best Bath & Body Works Buckle City Vet Einsteins European Wax Center Famous Footwear Great Clips Handels Ice Cream Hawaiian Bros

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Harkins Backlot HomeGoods Marshalls Nekter Juice NextCare Urgent Care Pacific Dental Ross Safeway Salt Tacos + Tequila See’s Candies

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Shake Shack Sourdough & Co. Target Tropical Smoothie Ulta Beauty Zara Nails

Buckeye Commons East NE Corner Verrado & Roosevelt • • • • • •

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• • • • • •

Costco Dick’s Sporting Goods Home Depot Jimmy John’s Nothing Bundt Cake Over Easy

• • • • • •

Panera Playa Bowls Red Wing Boots Sleep Number Slim Chickens Starbucks

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The Mix on Roosevelt

SE Corner Verrado & Roosevelt • •

EOS Fitness Sprouts

With every new project, Buckeye continues to solidify its position as a dynamic and thriving city. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we build for the future! To learn more, visit buckeyeaz.gov/retailmap eye on buckeye

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Buckeye Residents Approve First City Bond Measure in Nearly 40 Years

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uring the 2024 General Election, Buckeye residents approved the city’s first bond measure in almost four decades, a major milestone in shaping Buckeye’s future.

Split into two propositions, Proposition 494 funds public safety projects, while Proposition 495 supports transportation improvements across the city. The first bond issuance occurred in June 2025, and several projects are already underway or completed.

DESIGN & PLANNING PROJECTS DCR - Design Concept Report

Watson Road Widening Design is nearly complete to widen Watson Road from Durango to Lower Buckeye with added lanes, improved intersections, drainage and lighting, with construction anticipated in FY26/27.

and a future signal, with construction expected in FY28/29. Interim widening from Lower Buckeye to Southern and a permanent signal at Warner will be completed by year-end to provide immediate congestion relief.

Apache Road Widening Final design is wrapping up to modernize Apache Road from Watkins to Yuma with added capacity, sidewalks, bike accommodations and drainage upgrades, with construction expected in FY26/27.

Indian School Road Widening (DCR) Widen Indian School Road from Jackrabbit Trail to Perryville with added lanes, intersection upgrades, curb, gutter and lighting; community outreach begins early 2026, and construction is planned for FY28/29.

Verrado Way Widening Design and coordination are underway to widen Verrado Way from Yuma to Van Buren with added lanes, intersection improvements, sidewalks, bike lanes and lighting; right-of-way work is ongoing and construction is planned for FY26/27.

Miller Road Widening (DCR) Widen Miller Road from Broadway to Lower Buckeye with added lanes, curb and gutter, drainage upgrades

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Jackrabbit Trail Widening (DCR) Widening of Jackrabbit Trail from Indian School to Thomas Road with added lanes, a signal at Thomas, curb, gutter and lighting, with public input scheduled for early 2026 and construction planned for FY28/29.

Watson Road (DCR) Widen Watson Road from Elwood to the RID canal with added capacity, safety upgrades, curb, gutter, drainage and potential intersection improvements, with construction expected in FY28/29.

Sun Valley Parkway Lighting Design is underway for new LED lighting along Sun Valley Parkway to improve nighttime safety near Tartesso. Currently in photometric review and utility coordination before moving to bid and construction.

Victory Fire Station A new fire station near Indian School and Acacia Way is in design to serve the growing area by reducing load on neighboring stations and improving response times.

Public Safety Headquarters (DCR) New Public Safety Headquarters to consolidate Police and Fire administration, with current efforts focused on programming, site evaluation and operational needs.

Public Safety Training Facility (DCR) New Public Safety Training Facility to support Police and Fire training, including tower, classroom and tactical needs, with site evaluation and program development underway.

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New pavers were installed as well as road repairs in the Festival Ranch neighborhood.

COMPLETED & ACTIVE PROJECTS Festival Ranch Pavers Completed in August, this project repaired and replaced uneven pavers while rebuilding the road foundation to improve safety and maintain the community’s original visual appeal.

Southern Avenue Reconstruction Southern Avenue, from Rainbow Road to 231st Avenue, was completely reconstructed and reopened to traffic in October, providing a smoother, safer driving experience.

218th Drive Reconstruction 218th Drive, from Dean Road to Ripple Road, was reconstructed to enhance roadway safety and drivability.

Shepards Trail Reconstruction Shepards Trail, from MC 85 to Narramore Avenue, received significant upgrades to improve safety and extend the life of the roadway.

Downtown Area Roadways Eason, Edison and Roosevelt Avenues from Miller Road to 4th Street will be reconstructed with a tentative start in February 2026.

Lower Buckeye Road Reconstruction Lower Buckeye Road from Watson Road to 247th Avenue will be reconstructed with work slated for May 2026.

The city of Buckeye hosted two Reduce the Commute Job Fairs in 2025 attended by hundereds of job seekers.

Buckeye’s Growing Job Market

A Year of Exciting New Employers

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uckeye continues to attract major employers, bringing high-quality jobs and fueling our local economy. This year, several industry leaders chose Buckeye as their new home: • • • •

Amazon – A new distribution hub creating 700+ jobs Blue Polymers – A cutting-edge company focused on sustainable materials, adding 60 jobs in late 2026 Rehrig Pacific – A leader in sustainable logistics solutions, creating 100+ jobs Ross – A new distribution center generating 1,300+ jobs

These companies not only expand local employment opportunities but also reinforce Buckeye’s position as a hub for innovation, sustainability and economic growth.

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ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

530 E. Monroe Ave. Buckeye, AZ 85326

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PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 1

Members of the Buckeye City Council open the Joe Foss Shooting Complex with ceremonial first shot.

Range is Hot! I

n December of 2024, the Buckeye City Council unanimously approved a 20-year agreement with Maricopa County Parks and Recreation to manage the Joe Foss Shooting Complex. This agreement allowed Buckeye to operate and maintain the facility for both law enforcement training and public use. In January 2025, Buckeye assumed management, undertaking significant improvements to the shooting complex.

26700 W. Buckeye Hills Dr. Buckeye, AZ 85326 Friday - Sunday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. $7 per person, $7 for 25 clays

The official launch of the newly managed facility occurred in August of 2025, with a highly anticipated grand re-opening event at the Joe Foss Shooting Complex. The occasion was marked by a ribbon cutting and was well-attended by residents and community leaders. Complete with food trucks and public giveaways, the event showcased the city’s commitment to the complex.

The Joe Foss Shooting Complex is located 10 miles south of Interstate 10 along SR 85. The range has a 50-yard pistol range and a 200-yard rifle range with 40 covered stations, which can accommodate up to 80 users.