THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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The Voice of the West Valley for 34 years
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December 4, 2019
Booming Buckeye braces for 2020 BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Associate Editor
NEWS .............. 7 New casino doubles down for a full house
SPORTS ........ 16 Millennium marches to state championship
9 DAYS ......... 20 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
OPINION .......................11 BUSINESS..................... 14 SPORTS ..........................16 FEATURES .....................21 YOUTH ...........................27 OBITUARIES .................30 CLASSIFIEDS................31 SOUTH
“Buckeye Then and Now” is not simply a book written by Mayor Jackie Meck’s wife, Verlyne Meck. The story of Buckeye’s past and present is also very close to the story of Jackie Meck, born and raised in what was once a small town. “When I was growing up in Buckeye, the population was 1,200 — and I don’t know how many dogs can chickens and cats were counted to get up to the 1,200,” said Meck, 78. “So, yes it’s changed quite a bit.” Likely the highlight for Buckeye in 2019 was being named “America’s fastest-growing city.” Buckeye came in number one on the U.S. Census Bureau’s fastest-growing cities with populations greater than 50,000. It was fifth in 2018, and Meck expects fast growth to continue in 2020. According to the census bureau, from July 1, 2017, to July 1, 2018, Buckeye’s
Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck was born and raised in the city he governs; his wife wrote the book “Buckeye Then and Now.” (West Valley view photo by Tom Scanlon)
population increased by 8.5%, to 74,370. Meck said the latest estimates were over 85,000. “I just talked to the economic develop-
ment director this morning,” Meck said, in a slow, farmer’s drawl. “He said (Buck-
Booming...continued on page 2
Green light for growth in Avondale BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Associate Editor
Near 107th Avenue and Broadway Road along the eastern edge of Avondale, the air is filled with the unmistakable smell of fertilizer. This time next year, the earthy aroma coming from the area may be replaced by enticing whiffs of coffee brewing, barbecues grilling and swimming-pool chlorine. In an area just north of ISM Raceway, the Avondale Planning Commission waved the green flag for a few development projects to surge ahead. Four neighboring developments are projected to build 6,000 homes. At the Nov. 21 Planning Commission meeting, Entrada’s request for a change from low-density residential to medi-
Entrada’s request for a change from low-density residential to medium-density residential was approved, paving the way for 724 new homes in south Avondale’s former farmlands, which are now growing developments instead of vegetables. (West Valley View photo by Tom Scanlon)
um-density residential was approved 4-1, paving the way for 724 new homes instead of the previous 557. As with most projects, Entrada’s rezoning requires Avondale City Council ap-
proval. Construction workers are likely to be extremely busy in south Avondale, as Entra-
Growth...continued on page 3