Peoria officials created the Amkor controversy by limiting transparency and revealing key decisions too late for meaningful public input.

Vistancia residents were unaware the city was planning to throw Vistancia’s commercial core (now Five North) under the bus for Amkor. Residents still believed the marketed vision of an upscale retail and dining destination, with no mention of industrial development.

Initially, some industrial use was “permitted,” then “conditional,” then back to “permitted.” The community was blindsided.

Future financial benefits remain uncertain. Amkor received tax breaks, foreign trade zone support, and city-funded wastewater treatment. Peoria’s gamble: “build it and others will come.”

While other Valley cities pursue high-quality businesses, Peoria appears willing to accept companies with high water use, toxic chemicals, and heavy energy demands; even placing them between a K–12 school and dense residential neighborhoods.

Responsible communities recognize the present and future risks of industrial manufacturing and build facilities away from homes. For example, wastewater discharging from Samsung’s Austin IC facility nearly wiped out all aquatic life in a 1.5-mile section of a creek.

Amkor persuaded Peoria to complete its wastewater treatment process; unlike TSMC, which recycles its own using a closed-loop system. Amkor surprised officials by increasing its building height from four to eleven stories; and even if it reverts back, elevation later seems likely.

Arizona’s long-term drought, shrinking CAP water supply, and fully allocated groundwater in the Phoenix AMA raise serious water concerns. Continued aquifer depletion risks irreversible land subsidence (sinking), already occurring in parts of Phoenix and Scottsdale.

City leaders are elected to serve residents and protect quality of life. Yet the secretive Amkor deal, removal of a General Plan land conservation provision, and use of “Mixed-use” zoning to limit public input all undermine that duty.

Community involvement may slow progress, but disregarding it for political ambition threatens our democracy; thus mandating new city leadership.