Litchfield Park has completed acquisition of land around City Hall for the development of a project that will create a vibrant and upbeat city center that will help generate tax revenues. The city center project was among several developments discussed during Litchfield Park’s annual State of the City address on Jan. 21, 2017. The city center project is being described as the most critical thing the council has worked on for several years. Reserve funds was required for purchasing land for the city center, which cost $4.998 million and the city just closed on 5.5 acres on the northeast corner of Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard, the last parcel of 24 acres for the project around City Hall. The city is working to secure a contract with a project planner and developer, who were selected last year. After the contract is signed, the city will schedule a series of public meetings to gather input from residents.
The project is expected to add to the quality of life in Litchfield Park by complementing the Wigwam Resort and protect the character of nearby neighborhoods. The city center concept will include trend setting restaurants and artisan retailers, as well as local businesses and boutique shops that would serve local residents, Wigwam Resort guests as well as attract customers from other cities. The plan is to create a majestic place with a garden-like environment. The site has tremendous possibilities to be the most successful mixed use destination in the Phoenix West Valley for shopping and entertainment.
When complete, new businesses in the city center will generate tax revenues for the city, which does not have a property tax. Additional tax revenue is important because as Litchfield Park is built out, it will no longer collect construction and real estate fees, which currently make up 18 percent of the city’s revenues.
Read the full article at http://www.westvalleyview.com/articles/2017/01/25/litchfield-park-city-center-moves-forward