Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 28

The Arizona Republic B6 FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2004 Downtown East Phoenix North-Central South Phoenix New River Maryvale Sunnyslope Moon Vailey Deer Valley Year of disruption, growth appears in Phoenix future Stacy Sullivan, Phoenix editor 602.444.NEWS (6397) stacy.sullivanarizonarepublic.com r- 'i r.J-H The renovation of Phoenix Civic Piaza will bring on a different look. This is a view of the future Second Street entrance. What challenges await Phoenix in the new year? "We have a very tight city budget and very tight city resources. One of our biggest challenges is going to be finding a way to stretch those resources to meet the city's needs." Phoenix City Manager Frank Fairbanks Phoenix schools will face a host of familiar challenges, including bettering students' academic performance, hiring and retaining 1 qualified teachers and meeting state and federal education goals. In November, Phoenix Union High School District voters approved a $200 million bond and a $9 million capital override for new schools and facilities.

"It's important for us as a major high school district in a major city to acknowledge the needs of our community." Craig Pletenik, spokesman for the Phoenix Union High School District The county will continue to face challenges stemming from the growing population, including opening two new jails and dealing with crowded courtrooms. The biggest challenge will be for the county's health care system to make the transition to a new district and for the county to fight with the cash-strapped state to keep its share of state-shared funding. "If history is an indicator or teacher, 1 think we can be assured there will be some who will attempt to shufjle their problems onto us instead of dealing with it themselves." Andy Kunasek, incoming chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors By Ginger D. Richardson The Arizona Republic PHOENIX The new year will be a busy one for Phoenix city officials, who find themselves reporting to a new mayor and juggling a variety of costly and, in some cases, controversial projects. From light-rail construction to Phoenix Civic Plaza renovations, 2004 promises to be a year of disruption and growth.

The heart of central Phoenix will be mired in construction as work begins on the first phase of the light-rail system in June. The city has been preparing for months, but officials still anticipate numerous disruptions in and around Central Avenue. "We have been doing extreme amounts of planning to reduce any potential problems," City Manager Frank Fairbanks said, "but clearly they are still going to exist." Crews also will be tearing up and renovating the Civic Plaza during most of the year. The $600 million renovation project is designed to keep the city competitive in the convention and tourism market. The city also is considering spending $300 million to build a publicly owned downtown hotel that would support the Civic Plaza.

A decision on that initiative is expected this year. And Mayor Phil Gordon, who takes office today, has his own priorities. A downtown urban college campus tops the list. City officials have begun talking to Arizona State University about how they can help bring about 12,000 students to the downtown area, but Gordon said plans go beyond that. They include working with the Translational Genomics Research Institute and all three state universities to create a center of biotech learning and research in downtown Phoenix.

"There's a lot of excitement at the city about the potential of some of these projects," Gordon to take oath in private ceremony PHOENIX The city's 51st mayor will take the oath of office today in a private ceremony at his neighborhood police precinct. Mayor-elect Phil Gordon will be sworn into Phoenix's highest elected office in the presence of his wife, Christa, and their 4-year-old son, Jake. Gordon assumes the office from Mayor Skip Rimsza, who was elected to the council in 1989 and to the mayor's office in 1994. Rimsza was unable to run again because of term limits. A public inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m.

Monday at the Orpheum Theatre. Gordon will speak at that event, as will incumbent council members Peggy Bilsten, Dave Siebert, Claude Mattox and Doug Lingner. All four were re-elected in September by overwhelming margins. Blood bank, Coyotes team up for blood drive PHOENIX United Blood Services has teamed with the Phoenix Coyotes to offer free game tickets to anyone willing to donate blood through Sunday. Despite the number of people who responded to the shortage in the past weeks, supplies for four blood types are still below required levels, officials say.

Donations are needed for blood types 0 positive, 0 negative, A negative and negative. "This year has been more difficult," said Sue Thew, a spokeswoman for United Blood Services. "Right now, offering this incentive is the only thing we can do to try to increase blood donations." For information or to make a donation appointment, call (602) 431-9500. Bridal expo to show off myriad wedding items DOWNTOWN The Bridal Fashion Debut and Wedding Services Expo will start at 9 a.m. Sunday at Phoenix Civic Plaza, 225 E.

Adams St. It will showcase a variety of services offered by more than 400 wedding professionals along with bridal fashion shows, live music and prizes. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved online. Information: (480) 451-9718 or www.bridalfashiondebut. com.

Anti-crime group offers crime-prevention class PHOENIX The Greater Phoenix Crime Coalition, a partnership between the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, will offer a two-hour crime-prevention seminar on Jan. 16. It will start at 11:30 a.m. at 201 N. Central Ave.

The seminar will focus on identity theft and how business owners and managers can respond to what has become a sophisticated crime. Information: (602) 495-2195. Baby Diaper Drive seeks donations until Jan. 15 PHOENIX The fifth annual Baby Diaper Drive will be extended to Jan. 15.

Homeward Bound, which offers services to families touched by homelessness and domestic violence, will accept diaper donations at the Phoenix Suns Athletic Club, 230 S. Third Street. Cash donations must be sent to Allegra Print Imaging with checks made payable to Homeward Bound, attention: Baby Drive, 3639 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Information: (480) 941-4842 or www.babydrive.org.

Key dates in Phoenix Today: Phil Gordon becomes the city's 51st mayor. Monday: Mayor Phil Gordon and City Council members Dave Siebert, Claude Mattox, Doug Lingner and Peggy Bilsten will be inaugurated at the Orpheum Theatre. Later this month: The new international walkway at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is expected to open. April: The city will hold community meetings on its new fiscal-year budget. June: Construction is to begin on light rail.

July: The city's new budget takes effect Midsummer: Phoenix is expected to surpass Philadelphia as the fifth most-populous city in the United States. keeping good neighborhoods good and keeping other neighborhoods from declining," Fairbanks said. "Some of the most important things we do aren't accomplished through one big, giant project but through a lot of little continuous efforts." City officials also will be grappling with another tight budget year as they prepare to renegotiate employee contracts and provide increased public-safety services. Late last year, Fairbanks and city Budget Director Cec-ile Pettle warned council members that they might need to shave 1 percent to 2.5 percent off of the coming year's fiscal-year budget because anticipated costs were soaring several million over projected revenues. This week Fairbanks said the improving economy might help lessen the severity of the cuts, but there would still likely be a budget crunch.

"We won't have enough funds to do everything that we'd like, but we are still going to be moving forward with a lot of exciting projects that I think will really help improve the city of Phoenix," Fairbanks said. Reach the reporter at ginger.richardsonarizona republic.com or (602) 444-2474. Gordon said. High-profile initiatives aside, city officials say their top priority will be to continue providing core services. "We want to concentrate on Qendale Peoria Sun Cities Surprise Ayondale Goodyear Buckeye Laveen Litchfield Park Meson Wickenburg Youngtown Mirage West Valley facing extensive changes rill Pi Vk Venita James, West Valley editor 602.444.NEWS (6397) venita.jamesarizonarepublic.com Tom TingleThe Arizona Republic Verrado, one of the developments that West Valley residents can look forward to this year, is a huge community designed with a town square and main street.

Rose Society presents pruning tips, soil tests PEORIA The West Valley Rose Society will host rose-pruning and planting seminars at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Mitchell Sun City Nursery, 9715 W. Peoria Ave. The society also will offer free acidity testing for those who bring in a cup of garden soil.

Details: (623) 931-5004. Dems will hear report on legislative session PHOENIX Legislative District 13 Democrats will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at Desert Sage Library, 7602 W. Encanto Blvd. District 13 legislators, Rep.

Steve Gallardo and Rep. John Loredo, will review the recent special session and introduce candidates. Details: (623) What the mayors forecast: "Our major push in economic development will be to create a daytime population, more employment." Avondale Mayor Ron Drake "We will continue to take a leadership role in protecting this vital component (Luke Air Force Base) to our mition's defense and our community's economy." Peoria Mayor John Keegan "We're going to see a substantive improvement in the economy, which will greatly help the state and all the cities in delivering the services we're all responsible for. I think the economy is going to end up being a big, big story." Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs Communities seek ways to ease growing pains By Marty Sauerzopf The Arizona Republic WEST VALLEY The rolling foothills of the White Tank Mountain range will become the epicenter of change in the West Valley, as Buckeye moves into the upscale housing market and continues the population shift to the west side. The opening of DMB's Verrado community is one of the milestones that West Valley residents can look forward to this year.

Yet, the development's signal of growth foretells major challenges: Reducing traffic congestion. Attracting more business. Protecting Luke Air Force Base. Providing recreation for residents. West Valley leaders will continue to deal with the region's growing pains in 2004, including keeping Luke off the list of U.S.

military bases targeted for closure in 2005. Meanwhile, the skyline dramatically will begin changing as construction continues on the Arizona Cardinals football stadium in Glendale. It's scheduled to open in 2006. The opening of Glendale Arena capped off 2003 with the kind of hoopla and economic development that the region expects to attract with the stadium. Schools on tap With a flood of children coming into the area, schools are being planned in most West Valley districts, including Fowler, Riverside, Isaac, Peoria and Litchfield.

Deer Valley, one of the state's fastest-growing districts, is building its fifth high school. The facility will open in August in Anthem, 17 miles north of Phoenix off Interstate 17. The $35 million facility is being paid for with state facility money and voter-approved bond money. The school will be the 35th school in the district, with enrollment of 31,000. Attractions aplenty Major recreation projects are on tap in West Valley communities.

Avondale will reopen Friendship Park at McDowell Road and the Agua Fria River this spring after transforming the park into a youth sports facility with 10 soccer fields. Peoria will open its first community park, Rio Vista, early in the year near Loop 101 and Thunderbird Road. "Ultimately, this park will be a major attraction for softball, soccer, skateboarding as well as more passive activities such as picnicking and fishing on its small lake," Peoria Mayor John Keegan said. Prizes will be awarded at an April 19 reception. Details: (623) 930-3537.

Thunderbird offering 'Winterims' for execs GLENDALE Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management, is offering three-week intensive faculty-led courses called "Winterims" this month. Business students can take the courses, which are also offered on a non-credit basis to business executives. Material covered includes government-industry partnering in technology development, global team-building and consumer marketing. Details: (602) 978-7252. Registration under way for basketball leagues GLENDALE The Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registration for the Junior Suns and Junior Mercury youth basketball leagues for children ages 6 to 14.

Games will be played on Saturdays, March 6 to April 24, at various locations. Registration is $50 for residents and $60 for non-residents. Deadline is Jan. 14. Details: (623) 930-2042.

seeks entries Library in art, poetry contests Building controversy Peoria residents may have the final say this fall on a controversial plan for Wal-Mart Supercenter at Peoria and 79th avenues, to replace the smaller one at 83rd Avenue. The City Council approved the plan, but a referendum drive backed by the food workers union likely will land the issue on the September ballot. Voters in Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Litchfield Park and Peoria will decide on council members. Mayors Elaine Scruggs in Glendale and Woody Thomas in Litchfield Park are running unopposed for re-election. Buckeye Mayor Dusty Hull has two challengers vying for his seat in March.

Taxing vote The hottest campaign issue of the year, though, promises to be the proposed extension of the countywide half -cent sales tax for transportation. Area political leaders fought hard to include a new freeway through the southwest Valley in the $15.8 billion transportation plan, hoping to relieve congestion on Interstate 10. The package also includes money for 1-10 improvements and construction of Loop 303. City officials Valley-wide want the plan on the May ballot, although bickering at the state Legislature could delay the process. Several legislators are concerned about the inclusion of light-rail funds in the package, leading to some heavy lobbying to get the plan to voters.

"This extension of the half -cent tax is something critical to all of us," Avondale Mayor Ron Drake said. The current half -cent tax is set to expire in 2005. Reach the reporter at marty.sauerzopf arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-6920. GLENDALE Applications for Glendale Public Library's annual youth art and poetry contests are available at the library, 5959 W. Brown St.

Young people, ages 8 to 19, are invited to enter either or both contests by March 26. Goodyear also will open its first community park this spring near Litchfield and Thomas roads. Goodyear hopes to begin construction of a spring training complex to host the Anaheim Angels near Es-trella Parkway and Yuma Road. Meanwhile, the YMCA is nearing the end of its fund-raising drive for a new southwest Valley facility that will be the largest community YMCA in the Phoenix area. Officials are hoping to break ground in March on the project at Litchfield and Thomas roads.

Surprise will open a 37-acre park in late January, with a 5-acre lake and courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball. The West Valley Fine Arts Council, meanwhile, will trying to finish raising $6 million to build an art center near Es-trella Mountain Community College. The group is more than halfway toward its goal, and it hopes to have the facility up and running by 2005. TONIGHT IN AVONDALE WHAT'S Inauguration. HAPPENING DETAILS Avondale residents are invited to attend the inauguration of Mayor Ron Drake and three council members.

Light refreshments will be served. WHENWHERE 6 p.m., Council Chambers, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive. (623) 478-3030..