Freeway, development top committee's agenda

Ahwatukee Foothills News
11-25-05
By Doug Murphy

The Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee meets next week and topping the agenda is a briefing and possible action on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway and an update on economic development plans of the Gila River Indian Community for the area south of Pecos Road.

Both subjects are related, will affect each other and have generated much local interest.

The freeway is currently proposed to run where Pecos Road now is, but many Ahwatukee Foothills residents hope it will be built south of Ahwatukee Foothills on the Gila River Indian Community where it could help the tribe's economic development plans without affecting homes close to Pecos Road.

The Gila River Indian Community has had detailed plans for economic development south of Pecos Road between Interstate 10 and the 40th Street alignment for years. So far the tribe has constructed two golf courses, a destination resort and spa, a museum and next month Rawhide will reopen at its new location. But the tribal council has also opposed construction of a freeway on Indian land for almost a decade.

The planning committee meets at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Ahwatukee Foothills Senior Center, 5051 E. Elliot Road.

The reporter can be reached at (480) 898-7914 or by e-mail at dmurphy@aztrib.com.