azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Maura J. Halpern
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 25, 2005 12:00 AM
In February 2008, a blimp will hover above Cardinals Stadium during the Super Bowl as viewers worldwide see the name Glendale on television.
Along with an international recognition, the blimp will symbolize Glendale's emergence out of the shadows of popular Valley destinations such as Phoenix and Scottsdale.
The ground shifted in Glendale three years ago when cotton fields made way for a world-class arena to house the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. The construction signified changes for a city unknown to most outside of Arizona.
Over the past decade, infrastructure replaced farmland as city leaders and citizens aimed to transform the West Valley city into a destination and coveted place to live.
Progress is hard to miss from the Loop 101, where Glendale Arena stands near the new Cardinals Stadium and the beginnings of a futuristic "mini city" of entertainment. And a revitalized historic downtown boasts new events to bring visitors to its core.
Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs said that the turnaround began in the early 1990s, when officials partnered with residents to make improvements.
"We had never been the city with activities going on," said Scruggs, who helped Glendale form several citizen advisory commissions in the mid-1990s. "We needed to create reasons for people to visit and keep coming back."
So Glendale homed in on its historic downtown to improve the streetscape, bring in more shops, preserve and renovate historic buildings and develop family-friendly festivals such as Glendale Glitters and Fiesta Glendale to draw crowds.
Also in the early 1990s, upscale homes sprouted up in Glendale's Arrowhead Ranch, which has more $1 million homes than anywhere else in the Valley, according to a 2001 Arizona Republic analysis.
Completion of the Loop 101 segment from Northern Avenue to Interstate 10 in 2000 provided access into the West Valley and improvements to Grand Avenue will enhance entry to the Glendale's downtown.
"When you have projects going on in all parts of the city, it keeps a community vibrant and fiscally sound," Glendale City Manager Ed Beasley said.
At the cusp of Glendale's growing visibility is the new sports and entertainment district along Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue. Work is under way on Westgate, the cornerstone of this district that will have 6.5 million square feet of retail, restaurants, hotels, office and residential property.
"The rest of the Valley now realizes Glendale isn't a Podunk town," said Glendale resident John Edmonton, who serves on the city's citizen-run commissions. "We're coming into our own and it's about time."
This $850 million project brings more than myriad activities. The city of Glendale estimates Westgate will generate more than $100 million in sales tax revenue over 30 years.
And that doesn't include the nearby Zanjero Business Park, anchored by outdoors mega store Cabela's. Or the Cardinals Stadium, which will open in 2006. The $150 million stadium will host the 2008 Super Bowl and annual Fiesta Bowl, which will leave Tempe's Sun Devil Stadium.
Will Manley, Tempe city manager, said the city will miss the name recognition and media attention that accompany the sporting events.
"It had an enormous impact on our hotels, hospitality industry and downtown," he said. "Without a doubt, it will be a fond farewell."
Manley said the loss of such events is bittersweet because as one bowl departs, another will move in. Beginning in 2006, Tempe will host the Insight Bowl, which features a matchup between the Big 10 and Big 12.
"As people drive from Phoenix and East Valley to go to the games, they'll start to explore the West Valley," he said. "And that's a great thing."
More people are exploring Glendale's downtown, which contrasts the high-tech entertainment district with its tree-lined streets, redbrick sidewalks and small-town feel.
With the renovated Murphy Park as its backdrop, the city kicked off a new event in October to attract visitors to its core in the evenings. That Thursday Thing! offers entertainment, discounts and extended shopping hours.
The fall also brought the Catlin Court Historic District's first home tour, which drew more than 1,000 people inside the quaint bungalows of the city's earliest plotted neighborhood. And the city expects more than 325,000 visitors to this year's Glendale Glitters holiday lights display.
According to a 2003 study by the International Festivals and Event Association, Glendale's festivals generated more than $23 million in economic impact.
"These events have brought a new awareness and energy to show how magical our downtown is," tourism manager Lorraine Pino said. "The spotlight is on our city now and it's a wonderful thing."
Beasley said that the spotlight in 2008 from the Super Bowl will bring more than name recognition.
"Some said we'd never get a stadium or arena and that Cabela's could never happen on this side of town," Beasley said. "All of these things create a validation and when our residents see their tax dollars have been well used, it will bring a lot of satisfaction."
http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/1225glspotlight25.html
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 25, 2005 12:00 AM
In February 2008, a blimp will hover above Cardinals Stadium during the Super Bowl as viewers worldwide see the name Glendale on television.
Along with an international recognition, the blimp will symbolize Glendale's emergence out of the shadows of popular Valley destinations such as Phoenix and Scottsdale.
The ground shifted in Glendale three years ago when cotton fields made way for a world-class arena to house the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. The construction signified changes for a city unknown to most outside of Arizona.
Over the past decade, infrastructure replaced farmland as city leaders and citizens aimed to transform the West Valley city into a destination and coveted place to live.
Progress is hard to miss from the Loop 101, where Glendale Arena stands near the new Cardinals Stadium and the beginnings of a futuristic "mini city" of entertainment. And a revitalized historic downtown boasts new events to bring visitors to its core.
Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs said that the turnaround began in the early 1990s, when officials partnered with residents to make improvements.
"We had never been the city with activities going on," said Scruggs, who helped Glendale form several citizen advisory commissions in the mid-1990s. "We needed to create reasons for people to visit and keep coming back."
So Glendale homed in on its historic downtown to improve the streetscape, bring in more shops, preserve and renovate historic buildings and develop family-friendly festivals such as Glendale Glitters and Fiesta Glendale to draw crowds.
Also in the early 1990s, upscale homes sprouted up in Glendale's Arrowhead Ranch, which has more $1 million homes than anywhere else in the Valley, according to a 2001 Arizona Republic analysis.
Completion of the Loop 101 segment from Northern Avenue to Interstate 10 in 2000 provided access into the West Valley and improvements to Grand Avenue will enhance entry to the Glendale's downtown.
"When you have projects going on in all parts of the city, it keeps a community vibrant and fiscally sound," Glendale City Manager Ed Beasley said.
At the cusp of Glendale's growing visibility is the new sports and entertainment district along Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue. Work is under way on Westgate, the cornerstone of this district that will have 6.5 million square feet of retail, restaurants, hotels, office and residential property.
"The rest of the Valley now realizes Glendale isn't a Podunk town," said Glendale resident John Edmonton, who serves on the city's citizen-run commissions. "We're coming into our own and it's about time."
This $850 million project brings more than myriad activities. The city of Glendale estimates Westgate will generate more than $100 million in sales tax revenue over 30 years.
And that doesn't include the nearby Zanjero Business Park, anchored by outdoors mega store Cabela's. Or the Cardinals Stadium, which will open in 2006. The $150 million stadium will host the 2008 Super Bowl and annual Fiesta Bowl, which will leave Tempe's Sun Devil Stadium.
Will Manley, Tempe city manager, said the city will miss the name recognition and media attention that accompany the sporting events.
"It had an enormous impact on our hotels, hospitality industry and downtown," he said. "Without a doubt, it will be a fond farewell."
Manley said the loss of such events is bittersweet because as one bowl departs, another will move in. Beginning in 2006, Tempe will host the Insight Bowl, which features a matchup between the Big 10 and Big 12.
"As people drive from Phoenix and East Valley to go to the games, they'll start to explore the West Valley," he said. "And that's a great thing."
More people are exploring Glendale's downtown, which contrasts the high-tech entertainment district with its tree-lined streets, redbrick sidewalks and small-town feel.
With the renovated Murphy Park as its backdrop, the city kicked off a new event in October to attract visitors to its core in the evenings. That Thursday Thing! offers entertainment, discounts and extended shopping hours.
The fall also brought the Catlin Court Historic District's first home tour, which drew more than 1,000 people inside the quaint bungalows of the city's earliest plotted neighborhood. And the city expects more than 325,000 visitors to this year's Glendale Glitters holiday lights display.
According to a 2003 study by the International Festivals and Event Association, Glendale's festivals generated more than $23 million in economic impact.
"These events have brought a new awareness and energy to show how magical our downtown is," tourism manager Lorraine Pino said. "The spotlight is on our city now and it's a wonderful thing."
Beasley said that the spotlight in 2008 from the Super Bowl will bring more than name recognition.
"Some said we'd never get a stadium or arena and that Cabela's could never happen on this side of town," Beasley said. "All of these things create a validation and when our residents see their tax dollars have been well used, it will bring a lot of satisfaction."
http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/1225glspotlight25.html
