The city of Peoria is in the process of acquiring property rights so that 67th Avenue can be widened from Pinnacle Peak to Happy Valley roads.
City documents state the property rights may be acquired by donation, outright purchase, or the exercise of the power of eminent domain, in accordance with budget authority previously approved by council.
The city is in the second phase of acquiring these properites, and council recently approved a resolution authorizing additional acquisitions.
The $18.4 million project includes widening of the road, design and construction of storm drain improvements for flood protection, as well as other improvements.
Over the years the area has had flooding issues, so in 2007, the city annexed 67th Avenue from Pinnacle Peak to Happy Valley roads and has been working to improve the drainage and traffic flow with help from neighboring municipalities.
On Oct. 25, 2022, city council approved a design contract with Point Engineers for final design services, which is underway, and on Nov. 15, 2022, the council adopted a resolution authorizing the first phase of land acquisitions.
The city has offered property owners the opportunity to donate certain parcels, offered appraised value in a negotiated settlement or, as a last resort, request the city attorney to file for condemnation, documents said.
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
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