SML Chamber (DEC 11)
Posted by South Mountain Villager on December 15, 2011
Steve Glueck Executive Director South Mountain/Laveen Chamber
It’s the last month of 2011 and for some of us, 2012 can’t get here fast enough! This has been another difficult year for many South Mountain – Laveen businesses and residents, as we complete a 3rd year of a slow recovery from the 2008 worldwide recession. Is there hope, that we will see a stronger economy in 2012? In my view, absolutely there is hope, for the immediate and long term future economic growth in our South Mountain – Laveen communities. Yes, we need to see the evidence of real job growth; growth in new home construction and a real increase in homeowners’ property values throughout the South Mountain area. Looking back through 2011, I see things that have happened which, I believe, is evidence of even better things to come in 2012.
Major construction projects that were completed this year include: The South Mountain Community Library on the South Mountain Community College campus at 24th Street; the new Percy L Julian Elementary School at 21st St & Carver; Victory Place III Apartments for formerly homeless military veterans at 9TH St & Jones; the new Laveen Elementary School at 43rd Ave in Laveen. Major construction projects nearing completion or beginning next year include: The Salvation Army Kroc Family Community Center at 14th St & Broadway opening May 2012; the Roosevelt Schools Culinary – Community Center at 10th St & Baseline Road groundbreaking in January; Arizona Cactus Pine Council Girl Scouts Camp Sombrero multi million dollar renovations planned for 2012 at 16th St & Dobbins; an extensive remodeling makeover of the Ocotillo Library at 3rd Ave & Southern to be completed next year.
As for long term planning, a current City of Phoenix field study to determine the expansion of the Light Rail Transit System along South Central Ave to Baseline Road, began in April of this year and will now be supplemented by a Federally Funded Department of Transportation $1,000,000 award to the City of Phoenix to study all forms of public transit improvements to better connect Downtown Phoenix to South Mountain Village along South Central to Baseline Road and east-west connections along Broadway and Southern. The study will begin in 2012 and conclude in 2013. And of course the conversation continues about where to put the South Mountain Freeway Loop connecting the south leg of the 202 with the I 10 Freeway at or near 59th Avenue. The currently planned route including the state owned land has been on the books since the mid 1980’s. It will be built, with informed guesses looking at a 2018 construction start.
The South Mountain – Laveen membership continues to grow as we added 25 new members this year. We are a chapter of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce which has added over 300 members through 11 months of this year. Overall, there have been over 50 small business start ups this year and that doesn’t include new non profits and Charter School additions that began operating in our communities this year. There are many other examples of why we should all feel encouraged about what the future holds for our area. There is a natural scenic beauty and rich history in South Mountain that is unmatched anywhere else in the metro area. But first and foremost it is our diverse community that is our strength and our hope for our future.
UPCOMING EVENTS
12/1-“After 5 Mixer” @ Gallagher’s Sports Grill & Restaurant, 3220 E. Baseline Rd; 5:30 – 7PM
12/14 “Business for Breakfast Mixer @ La Cucina Italiana 9032 S. Central ;7:15-8:30AM
12/7, 12/21 Leads Exchange Group
7:15am Raven Grill 36
3636 E. Baseline Road
