Litchfield Park officials discussed their expansive development plan during the annual State of the City address, headlined by a 45% increase in the municipal budget to fund a series of capital projects scheduled through 2026.
Mayor Thomas Schoaf and members of the city council detailed the transformation of the city’s core, focusing on the multiuse Litchfield Square and the Hilltop cultural campus. Despite the increased spending, Schoaf stated the city remains in a fiscally positive condition with a general fund unassigned balance of $16.2 million.
"The city takes a conservative approach towards forecasting and revenues, expenditures, and debt," Schoaf said. "This ensures a fiscally positive condition for our city."
The centerpiece of the city’s economic strategy, Litchfield Square, is moving into its vertical construction phase. The 25-acre project is designed to be a walkable urban center featuring retail, restaurants, and office spaces. The first development, a 40,000-square-foot building known as Heritage Place, is expected to see tenants move in this spring.
Schoaf noted the city spent decades planning the downtown area to ensure the architectural style remained consistent with the community's history.
"It is not a cookie cutter development that can be put up in a matter of months," Schoaf said. "We are looking for very specific buildings to be built here to fit into a specific lifestyle that we enjoy in the park."
Beyond the downtown core, Council Member Suzanne Allen highlighted the renewal of the 21-acre Rancho La Loma homestead, the former retreat of city founder Paul W. Litchfield. Now called the Hilltop, the site will house the Hilltop School for the Arts.
"The site is rapidly transforming into a dynamic destination and cultural hub for the Southwest Valley," Allen said.
Infrastructure and public safety were also addressed. Vice Mayor Paul Faith noted that the city has budgeted for a new traffic control officer to address speeding concerns. Planned road improvements include a redesign of Camelback Road and a pedestrian underpass on Litchfield Road.
"Studies show roundabouts reduce overall crash numbers up to 40% and reduce the likelihood of life-threatening crashes," Faith said.
The council also addressed a pending rate increase request from Liberty Water. If approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission, residents could see water rates increase by 38.4% and wastewater rates by 53.76% as early as third-quarter 2026.
Council Member Brainard Watson described the city’s philosophy as maintaining a high quality of life through aesthetics and curated programming.
"All told, life here is simple on purpose," Watson said. "Beautiful public spaces, celebrated history, and a full slate of community traditions wrapped in that small town ease everyone hopes to find."
Visit litchfieldpark.gov for more information.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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