By Philip Haldiman
Twitter: @PhilipHaldiman

Now that 2019 has reached its end, it is time to take a step back and reflect on all that happened in Peoria over the last year.

And when it comes to the past year’s headlines in the Peoria Independent, no other issue was more prominent than growth. The city has been in growth mode for a number of years with population increasing nearly 12% since 2010. 

And although things have slowed down, 2019 has seen its fair share of expansion.

Many top issues in the last year funneled down from the influx of new developments and increased population. Take a read of our top news stories in Peoria from 2019.

Expansion north

Peoria has seen growth in spades across all areas in recent years — residential, commercial and other sectors. 

From 2013 to 2018, Peoria approved 7,735 single-family home permits, most of them in the central to northern part of town. A whopping 156 multi-family building permits were approved in 2017. And commercial followed residential with a peak of 42 permits approved in 2018, about a 200 percent increase from 2017 and a 350 percent increase since 2013.

Now the city is seeing the construction that results from such enormous entitlements — build-outs at master-planned developments, large scale apartment complexes and major companies locating within the city’s boundaries. The city is also starting to see an influx of restaurants and retailers that has become a source of excitement for many residents.

Results of growth

The flip side of the coin is sometimes it is hard for cities to keep up with rapid growth. This was seen in the Peoria Unified School District, which has struggled with capacity issues at schools due to insufficient funding from the state, the major funding source for public schools. The city does not fund public schools. As rooftops have popped up across the central to northern parts of the town, district schools are experiencing overcrowding.

The following PUSD schools are over or near capacity, according to enrollment numbers from earlier this year: Vistancia and Sunset Heights elementary schools, as well as Liberty, Sunrise Mountain, Ironwood and Centennial high schools.

Override failure

Ballot measures such as bonds and overrides are often needed to provide funds to schools above what the state provides. A 15% maintenance and operations override failed at the ballot box by 133 votes, Nov. 5. Add to that the failure of a $189 bond in 2018 and a $198 million bond in 2016, as well as overcrowding, the district will face insufficient of funds to repair schools, extend certain programs and build new facilities, according to experts. 

Looking to the future, the district has just under $25 million left from a $180 million bond, approved by voters in 2012. With the PUSD override in its fourth year, the district has the opportunity for a second and final chance at an override before $26 million will be cut annually starting in 2021, resulting in pay cuts for all staff members and layoffs for all health care professionals and assistant principals. Under these circumstances, the district may work to put a bond and override on the ballot for 2020. Many experts say it is imperative.

New PUSD superintendent

When PUSD superintendent Linda Palles Thompson took over the top position of the fourth largest public school district in 2017, she thought it was going to be on an interim basis. The district even kicked off a national search to fill the position at the time. But she ended up staying on to help the district through some rocky times.

On July 1, 2020, all those responsibilities will be handed over to deputy superintendent Jason Reynolds. All eyes will be on him to see how PUSD moves forward.

Historical society

At this point it has been about a year since two parties filed suit in court claiming to be the rightful Peoria Arizona Historical Society, and more than three years since the groups have been at odds.

In that time, the city has evicted the society from its home, patrons have been kept from artifacts they have loaned to the society, and residents as well as a new generation of children have been blocked from a historical community resource. The two groups continue to be embroiled in litigation with no end in sight. Opening the society back up to the public is contingent on the two groups resolving their issues. 

Fiesta del Pueblo

The city raised the ire of some Peoria residents when officials unexpectedly canceled Fiesta del Pueblo,  a local event that celebrates Mexican culture.

Organizers felt betrayed and disrespected because the city would not give them a chance to respond to the cancellation, especially after putting in hundreds of hours to make it all come together, with only a few other things left to be completed. City officials said that as the event drew near, final plans had yet to be completed, additional funds had not been solidified, and staffing/volunteer managements had not been secured. No word if Fiesta del Pueblo will surface in 2020.

Paloma Park

Residents of north Peoria will finally get their own community park this year. It has been a long-time coming with a delay due to a prolonged archaeological study, but with an April 30 groundbreaking in the books and construction in full gear, officials are expecting a grand opening this summer.

Phase 1 of the park will be on 85 acres, to include tournament-grade baseball and soccer fields, multi-use open turf, a fishing lake, multi-generational inclusive playgrounds and splash pad, group and individual picnic ramadas, a multi-cell dog park, and lighted pickleball courts.

Carlo “Rocky” Leone

After 20 years of service on the Peoria City Council, Carlo “Rocky” Leone, a staunch supporter of his constituents living in the Pine District, died June 19. He was 84.

Only two months earlier he tendered his resignation due to health issues, April 16.

Mr. Leone often served as a dissenting voice on council, putting his constituents first, which garnered him a strong following and multiple re-elections.

Mr. Leone’s death prompted responses of praise and thanksgiving from residents, fellow council members and other community members and dignitaries.

Also newsworthy

Other important news stories coming out of Peoria in 2019 include: Police respond to study, Replacing the former Challenger building, Old Town revitalization, Peoria launches ambulance service, Community resource center opens, Vaping increases 800%, Peoria to get signature event.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.

Philip Haldiman
News Editor | Peoria
@PhilipHaldiman

phaldiman@iniusa.org

Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts. He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing. Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards. In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.