17 minute read
Home is Where the Heart is
Already World Class & We Aren’t Stopping Yet! Growth Around Glendale’s Sports and Entertainment District
by Kevin Phelps, Glendale City Manager
Fun, events, concerts, professional sports and great shopping and dining options may be what comes to mind when you think of the Sports and
Entertainment District in Glendale. But the words home and work are increasingly associated with that area as well. The vibe there is so great and it’s growing fast in new ways. In that area, the largest master-planned community to be built in Glendale in a decade is going up. So is a neighborhood of single-family homes being built next to a retirement community. Those developments will bring generations of family and friends together. We’ve also recently seen more than 2,500 new luxury apartments open or go into development in the area.
The Sports and Entertainment District’s existing 9.1 million square feet of current development is only a third of what the entire area could become at full build out. We’re committed to bringing new Class A office space to accommodate the professional employment options our quality workforce desires. That’s happening rapidly and soon we will watch what’s now farmland transform into a site hosting world-class office space.
Westgate already offers robust dining and entertainment options and YAM Properties is continuing to expand the complex with new retail stores and office space. There are also several new hotels in the development pipeline.
One of the most exciting things to happen this year is the celebration we had for the opening of Ballpark Boulevard. This road now links Camelback Ranch – Glendale, to the Sports and Entertainment District.
It also opens opportunities for new development, known as Vision 4. The beauty of it is that it shows how much room is still available for those looking to bring their business to Glendale or live here. It activates the 360-acres immediately surrounding it as prime development sites for residential and businesses opportunities.
With more places to eat, shop, work and play on the way, the Sports and Entertainment District area is in high demand and the epicenter of growth in the entire Valley. That’s good news for our residents. Those tax dollars that are generated from the businesses go to do exactly what is most important to us –provide excellent services for the people who call Glendale home.
The fast pace of development comes because we worked strategically to be forward-thinking. We knew this area had potential to be the most desirable place in the state for people to live, work and play. We will continue to work to attract the types of businesses that will benefit the region for generations to come.
Councilmember Joyce Clark, Vice Mayor Ray Malnar, Councilmember Ian Hugh, Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
by Captain Ashley Losch, Public Information Officer, Glendale Fire Department
In today’s upside down world the word “home” has a new definition. Home has become our everything. It is our classroom, our office, our lounge, our restaurnat, our movie theatre, our entertainment center and our safe place. The importance of feeling safe in our homes has never been greater. But home can quickly become a place where disaster strikes. As Glendale Firefighters we are welcomed into the homes of people experiencing emergencies everyday. We are privileged enough to be trusted to enter your home to treat you and your family members. We do not take that trust lightly, and we know how difficult it is to be vulneralbe in front of a bunch of strangers. The privilage to assist the sick and injured has taken on an entirely new meaning since COVID-19 has hit our community. Learning how to navigate the risks of exposure and isolation are completely new for everyone, including our firefighters. Safety has always been a priority for our organiza-
tion, but now more than ever it is important to teach people how to protect themselves. So while we are all spending more time at home, identifying hazzards within your home is even more important. There are a multitude of ways that people can get injured in a home. The sad fact is that over 18,000 Americans die every year due to an accident in the home. Thankfully there are things you can do to mitigate those risks and make your home safer.
One of the easiest things you can do to make your home safer is to ensure that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors have been installed correctly and are in working order. If you hear chirping from one of the smoke alarms it means that it is time to replace the battery. Early alerts to a home fire or gas leak can save lives. Fires double in size every minute, so moments are precious during a fire. If there is a fire, do you and your family have a plan? How will you get out and do you have a meeting spot once you are out? These are important parts of a safety plan. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four. If you live in a home with a pool you must take safety precautions. Pool fences, barriers and high latching doors can be good deterrents for keeping children away from water. But they alone do not keep kids safe. When evaluating for water safety in the home, be sure none of the routes to the backyard allow for direct access to the pool. If there is access install self closing doors with high latches. Also, inspect doggie doors to be sure they do not lead directly to the pool. Children will often follow pets through dog doors into the yard. Water safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you do live in a home with a pool be sure that everyone in the home has swim lessons and that adults have had CPR classes. Nothing can replace supervision but these steps can lesson your risk of water related injuries. Lets not forget about our elderly population. Fall injuries were the second leading cause of deaths in the home in 2017. Falls can be easily avoided by keeping tripping hazards out of walkways and removing area rugs. Be sure that slippers have rubber soles and fit snuggly on your feet. Install proper lighting in darker areas of the home and grab bars in bathrooms and showers. When using ladders it is important to always have someone steady the ladder while you climb it and continue to hold it until the work is complete. Never use ladders alone. Other safety considerations for your home can include checking the temperature of your water heater. Scalding water can burn a child within three seconds of exposure. Be sure that you are storing cleaning products and medications properly and out of reach from children. Lastly if you have blinds on the windows, be sure that the string from the blinds are not hanging in the reach of a child. This can be a life threatening hazard for a child.
As Glendale firefighters it is our job to keep you and your family safe. Throughout the year you will find us walking in Glendale neighborhoods promoting safety with our water safety and our smoke detector walks. Both of these events are to bring awareness to home hazards and assist in making your home safer. No matter what your emergency might be you can count on Glendale firefighters to answer the call. We know your home is your sanctuary and it should feel safe and comfortable. We hope that these tips help you to avoid a home related injury and lend some comfort in these uncertain times.
SIMPLE TIPS TO KEEP YOU FROM BECOMING A VICTIM
by Jose Miguel Santiago, Public Safety Media Relations & Communications Manager, City of Glendale
With a population of more than 250-thousand people, it is no wonder that Glendale is one of the fastest growing cities here in Arizona. With the increase in residents, safety is of the utmost importance for the city and their Public Safety workers.
Safety for you and your family definitely begins at home. With the nicer temperatures, burglars are going to be looking for opportunities to make their way into your home and off with your belongings. That’s why Glendale police say start to set up barriers outside your home that will act as deterrents. With one of the first options being a camera.
Stationary security cameras are becoming increasingly popular not only out in plain view but within devices like your doorbell. These devices can also be
shared with the police department when a crime occurs and provides evidence that may lead to the identification and arrest of suspects. Most criminals do not like the idea of being caught on camera. By placing a camera in plain view, or putting up signage stating you have a camera, could be enough of a warning to make a would-be burglar move on.
Back gates should have a secondary lock on them to avoid unwanted visitors from entering. Many burglars are not interested in hopping over your fence and making themselves visible to the eyes of neighbors who may be watching from a nearby home. Homeowners may also place plants, such as cactus, and other barriers in those areas to keep an intruder from making their way inside.
Whether your home is new to you, or you have lived there some time, walk the perimeter of your home and look at it like a criminal. Windows or doorways that are hidden from plain view may be a “Welcome” sign for a wouldbe intruder. Consider placing extra barriers/locks on those doors not used very often. The same can be done to windows that are hidden and may be easily accessed. If you are home and a stranger approaches your door many feel the need to stay quiet in the hopes the person will simply go away. Our officers say a silent home is a home that
burglars prey on. Confronting the person behind closed doors is a way to let them know your home is not unmanned and at that point the stranger may leave. You may also call the non-emergency line so that an officer in the area may not only swing by your residence, but they may even circulate the neighborhood to keep an eye out for suspicious activities.
Lastly and most importantly get to know your neighbors and create a community that looks after one another. There is safety and deterrence in numbers and a neighborhood that communicates and has a vested interest in each other will be able to identify suspicious activity more easily because there is more awareness of what is normal and abnormal.
There is no way to make your home completely safe but by following some of these suggestions you may be taking steps in the right direction to keep you and your family from becoming the victim of a crime.
Loop 303 . . . Glendale’s New FrontierLoop 303 . . . Glendale’s New Frontier
As the Loop 303 corridor continues to garner new business headlines, and interest from companies and industries looking to plant roots in the West Valley accelerates, the City of Glendale’s role in the region becomes even more vital.
But “The New Frontier,” as the city has dubbed the 23-square mile area loosely bound by Peoria Avenue to the north, Camelback Road to the south, and Cotton Lane and Dysart Road to the west and east, still remains somewhat of a mystery to those outside of the area – and even to some residents.
The area historically has served the military and agriculture communities as the home of Luke Air Force Base and some of the largest open tracts of farm land left in the metro area. It’s still sparsely populated with about 25,000 residents, according to Glendale Open Data, with about half of those closely tied to the Air Force base. Word has spread, however, and the sleepy 303 area is booming. Companies like Microsoft, beverage maker White Claw, steel producer Cive, Red Bull, Ball, Rauch, Nike, REI sports equipment, Amazon and others see proximity to California and the growing Southwest as a positive, along with a talented labor pool and excellent highway accessibility of Loop 303 to Interstate 10, Interstate 17, Northern Parkway and Highway 60. Glendale is doing its part to accommodate, making investments and annexing land.
All of the employment growth occurring along the 303 corridor didn’t happen by accident, however. It has been an ongoing, conscious effort by city leadership to attract new firms and position the city and its residents for success. The result is that prospective employers see large shovel-ready parcels, existing infrastructure, a built-in, high quality workforce and a supportive municipal environment.
Combine these factors, including Glendale’s close proximity to West Coast markets, and it may not be surprising that the Loop 303 area expects to be an attractive option for savvy businesses for years to come.
Glendale’s New Frontier Glendale’s New Frontier Did you know?
All the hoopla makes us think about what else we need to know about The New Frontier. Here’s some food for thought:
Did you know the Loop 303 area could nearly double the area’s commercial and industrial space in the coming years?
The City of Glendale estimates that there are approximately 30 million square-feet of existing industrial and commercial space available in the city, and that development along Loop 303 would add in excess of 20 million square-feet to that total. Take away: Large, shovel-ready PAD properties are available and going fast.
Did you know that there are 5.5 miles of industrial-grade rail service that bisects the area?
Yes, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe lines for years served the agriculture industry and the infrastructure is well-suited to support businesses and industries requiring heavy equipment or specialty distribution needs. The lines parallel Olive Avenue from Cotton Lane before turning north toward El Mirage and connecting with the main line along Grand Avenue. Glendale also is home to BNSF’s Arizona Intermodal Facility along Highway 60. Take away: Rail lines are available to support heavy industry and distribution and are among the most prized parcels in the region.
Did you know there is aerospace activity besides Luke Air Force Base in the area?
Civilian aviation providers and Luke vendors like Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Magellan Aerospace, Arizona State University, Parker-Hannifin, among others have a strong presence and employ thousands in Glendale. The City recently played host to the American Aerospace Defense Summit at the Renaissance Hotel in the Westgate District. Take away: A high-tech incubator of aviation-centric talent already exists, and the West Valley has multiple Aerospace companies already operating and employing tens of thousands in the region.
by Yvonne Knaack, Chair, Downtown Glendale Strategic Leadership Advisory Group, Glendale Chamber of Commerce
As a long-time downtown Glendale business and property owner, civic leader, former vice mayor, and proud Glendale champion – I have lived through our community’s many transformations. I will be the first to say change is never easy but it is essential to our viability! We must be open to the inevitable change around us, and actively learn how to adapt.
When you run your own business it’s vital to know when to turn to the experts. As Downtown Glendale’s Strategic Leadership Advisory Group Chair of The Glendale Chamber of Commerce, I feel the same responsibility to seek knowledge and expertise from beyond our locale, to ensure we are best prepared to seize our opportunities. And recently, Downtown had the exclusive chance to hear three experts candidly share their outlook for downtown as they identified hurdles, assets, and most importantly the key to unlocking Downtown Glendale’s full potential!
Here’s what the experts had to say!
• Increase residential density – the redevelopment catalyst for Downtown is new, high-density, multifamily development. With several college campuses within mere miles of Downtown, the district is prime for revitalization and serves as a significant
student housing.
• Be open for business (and open to new ideas) – Divisiveness kills development; the community needs to come together around be a best-kept secret. So let me be the first
a vision, and most importantly, businesses need to be open. Not only open for commerce, but also open to new ideas.
• Grow the experience market – We can’t be everything to everyone; we must identify the target customers that will financially support Downtown and the “experience market” is where the money is. Retailers need to focus on creating interactive experiences and events
Commerce:
for customers and ensure that their inventory serves the target demographic.
• City investment – The City must invest by holding absentee property owners
ulatory programs as incentives that minimize development barriers, purchasing key parcels, and committing resources to maintain a clean, safe Downtown.
• Incorporate art – Art is a stimulus for contributor to community development and economic vitality.
Downtown Glendale has the most authentic commercial building stock in the entire West Valley and we should no longer to say to the development community - we welcome your interest, we are open for business, and we are ready to partner with you to unlock the full potential of Downtown Glendale!
A partnership between The City of Glendale and The Glendale Chamber of
accountable for vacancies, establishing reg-
MEET THE EXPERTS
Amy Malloy, Managing Principal, Evolve Ventures, with over 13 years in commercial real estate, managing retail development and redevelopment projects throughout the Southwest .
John Crow, CEO, Centurion Investments, a real estate professional specializing in residential sales, management, investments, and commercial property development. Mark Davis, Owner, 48 Development Co ., an accomplished real estate developer focused on urban infill development projects with multifamily development experience .
Mortgage Firm is Committed to Having Clients Live The Dream
by Maria R Brunner, 2018 Past Chair of the Board and Military & Veterans Affair Committee Member – Glendale Chamber of Commerce.
With over 27 years of financial industry experience, Maria is very proud to be a Mortgage Loan Officer. “I remember as a 9-year-old girl driving up to our new home, it was white and had a big arch in the front. My brothers and I ran into the house to explore, then I looked back and saw dad standing at the front door with mom with a big smile on his face. He was so proud that he had achieved the American dream of owning a home in America”. Maria expresses her love and commitment to help families achieve their goal, “I have made a full circle, I am able to help families live the American dream of homeownership”. Maria has held different positions in the banking industry from, VP, Branch Manager, Investment Advisor and Regional Manager, “this is the best job, helping homeowners”.
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation specializes in FHA Loans, Conventional Loans, VA, USDA, and Jumbo Loans.* They also offer a wide range of refinance options, designed to best meet the needs of local borrowers.
Maria’s team goal is to provide home loans to their clients while providing them with the very best customer experience. If you are looking to purchase or refinance, discover the difference of working with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation professionals. They hold themselves accountable to their clients and partners with exceptional service, products and pricing.
Maria R Brunner, Loan Officer NMLS 512744 |602 877-1333 Maria.Brunner@FairwayMC.com
Fairway is not affiliated with any government agencies. These materials are not from HUD or FHA, and were not approved by a government agency. Fairway is not affiliated with any government agencies. These materials are not from the VA, HUD, FHA, USDA, or RD, and were not approved by a government agency.
