On Friday, January 17, at the Council Chambers, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Council’s McKellips Corridor Long-Range Planning group held its latest Community member–only open house to gain input from Community members about the possibility of future development along the McKellips Corridor. 

The McKellips Corridor is located south of McKellips Road, stretching from the north side of the Salt River from east of the Loop 101 freeway to where the new Northeast Ambulatory Care Center (NEACC) will be located (Beeline Highway and Country Club Road). 

The first meeting was held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at the Lehi Community Building, and the second meeting was held on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at the Salt River Community Building. All three meetings drew over 300 Community members to share their thoughts and concerns related to the possibility of future development along the McKellips Corridor. 

Employees from various SRPMIC departments such as the Community Development Department (CDD), Engineering and Construction Services (ECS) and Public Works came together to gain Community member feedback on a possible vision of future economic development opportunities in the area. The Community conducted a similar plan back in 1991, led by Charles Schiffner, when SRPMIC members were invited to provide their input for future development plans along the 101 freeway to improve the Community. 

SRPMIC staff provided progress updates on options and possible plans for road maintenance, utility replacements, fiber optics, sidewalk development and more. Additionally, there were various stations that sought input the types of developments that might be attractive to Community members, exterior design concepts and a large map that had 3-D to scale examples of what type of developments may “fit” in the area. An additional booth centered on what types of development contribute revenue back to the Community to fund Capital Improvement efforts, such as  the Way of Life Facility, Journey to Recovery, police and fire substations, the Cultural Repository, BIA Day School Preservation and future projects. 

The McKellips Corridor Long-Range Planning group will conduct another meeting in March and April 2020 that will be focusing on gathering input from the Community’s youth. Upon gaining new infomraiton from the young people, there will be a presentation to Council and to the Community later in the spring/early summer.  

For more information on McKellips Corridor Long-Range Planning, call (480) 278-7102 or email mckellipsfeedback@srpmic-nsn.gov.