State land auction expands footprint of Rio 1900

Two 40-acre parcels of Arizona state trust land adjacent to a proposed master-planned community in Goodyear were sold at auction last week, expanding the land base for the planned Rio 1900 development in the city’s West Valley growth corridor.

The parcels, auctioned by the Arizona State Land Department, are located next to the nearly 2,000-acre Rio 1900 site along the southern bank of the Gila River, near the Estrella area. The acquisition is expected to support long-term planning and connectivity for the project.

“These parcels are strategically important to our long-term planning efforts and will help us ensure Rio 1900 is connected, thoughtfully designed, and positioned for lasting success,” said Amy Weidman, vice president of development for Harvard Investments, the project’s developer. “We are excited about the outcome of today’s auction and the opportunities it creates for the future Rio 1900 community.”

Rio 1900 is planned as a 1,940-acre mixed-use community with up to 5,800 homes, including a mix of single-family and multifamily residences. The plan also includes retail, restaurant and civic uses, along with open space and trail networks.

The Goodyear City Council recently approved a minor General Plan amendment and rezoning request for the project. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027, with the first homes expected to be delivered in 2029.

The project area is organized into several land-use districts, including village neighborhood, urban neighborhood, estate residential, commercial, civic and open-space designations. Plans call for a range of housing types, with parks, trails or open space planned within a five-minute walk of residences.

“Rio 1900 represents a rare opportunity to shape nearly 2,000 acres in one of the most dynamic growth corridors in the country,” Weidman said. “Our vision is to create a community that honors the character of the desert, provides meaningful connections to the outdoors, and offers a wide range of housing and lifestyle choices for future residents.”

The developer purchased the primary Rio 1900 property, known as King Ranch, in 2023 for $22 million and is working with planning, engineering, traffic and legal consultants on the project.