What an incredible evening it was on Thursday, March 31 at City Hall. Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us at the 2022 State of the City event, and a huge thank you to our performers who put on a stellar show! Did you miss the video? Watch it here: surprisetv.surpriseaz.gov/index.php/watch...
New Multigenerational Community Resource Center
The City, in partnership with Maricopa County, is making a major investment into the vitality and well-being of the West Valley with plans to build a multigenerational community resource center. On Tuesday, April 5, City Council voted to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Maricopa County for the $26 million building project. The next day, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors also voted to approve the IGA, dedicating $18 million of their federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding toward the project while the City is committing $8 million from a combination of City APRA funds and General Fund dollars.
This partnership will create an estimated 38-thousand square-foot center on City-owned land in Surprise’s historic Original Town Site. The campus will be at the corner of Hollyhock Street and Santa Fe Drive, will be built on shovel-ready land and should be completed by 2025.
April Proclaimed Water Awareness Month
Also at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 5, Mayor Hall proclaimed April as Water Awareness Month in Surprise joining the annual statewide campaign to help raise awareness about the value of conserving water in the Southwest.
Fair Housing Proclamation
April is National Fair Housing Month. On Tuesday, April 19, Mayor Hall proclaimed it Fair Housing Month in Surprise. In this month we feel grateful for the Fair Housing Act that was passed on April 11, 1968. This law is designed to protect Americans from facing discrimination in selling or buying houses.
Mera City Center Ribbon Cutting
On Saturday, April 30, Mayor Hall and I attended an incredible Grand Opening event at Mera City Center, hosted by Team Sparrow. The event included live music, bocce ball tournaments, cornhole and pickle ball challenges. The Mera City Center resort-style, 55 and older active adult community is located at 15510 N. La Cometa Ave. Thank you for choosing Surprise!
Experience Arizona History and Culture
Do you want to experience stories of Arizona history and culture? Join us at upcoming speaker events presented by the Surprise Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission in partnership with Arizona Humanities. Local experts from Arizona Humanities’ AZ Speaks program will present on the following topics:
Saviors and Saints on the Arizona Frontiers (Speaker: Jan Cleere)
June 8 • 11 a.m. – Noon Register here
Bisbee: The Alchemical City of Copper Borderlands (Speaker: Virgil Hancock)
October 11 • 11 a.m. – Noon Register here
The events are free, but registration is required using the links above. For more information, please contact the Human Service & Community Vitality Department at 623.222.3243.
Meet and Greet
Please join me for my Monthly Meet and Greet on Thursday, May 19, at 6 p.m. at State 48 Brewery, 13823 W. Bell Rd. I look forward to discussing the latest City issues and answering any questions you might have. You can also subscribe to my Notify Me mailing list on my City webpage at d5.surpriseaz.gov so you never miss any important District 5 news.
City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled Council meetings are May 3 and 17 at 6 p.m. in the City of Surprise Council Chambers, located at 16000 N. Civic Center Dr. City Council meetings are open to in-person attendance, or you may tune in on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise or on Cox channel 11 to watch the meetings live. Instructions for virtual public comment will be available on the meeting agendas at surpriseaz.gov/agendas.
