Apache Junction officials highlight industrial projects and downtown plans expected to add jobs

Speaker 2 and other city officials presented an update on economic development in Apache Junction, pointing to completed and planned industrial projects and downtown investments they said will boost jobs and retail activity.

Speaker 2 said W. Clyde completed a 38,000-square-foot manufacturing and regional headquarters facility in Apache Junction, and the city is tracking a 25,000-square-foot speculative industrial building under construction south of Safeway. "SUNT getting approval earlier this year and moving forward with this project will be the largest industrial building in Apache Junction. We'll bring a 100 new jobs to our community," Speaker 2 said.

Officials also discussed downtown as a targeted character zone for entertainment and higher density. Speaker 2 described recent work with Superposition Vista implementation and said the Wolf’s development in downtown will increase foot traffic and support new businesses. "The Wolf's development in the downtown will bring the bodies that we need to bring more activity," Speaker 2 said.

City leaders emphasized that growth is being managed. Speaker 2 said the council has been "very clear and deliberate" about where growth and higher-intensity land uses should occur, and noted that parts of the northern and eastern city are intended to remain rural under current zoning.

The presentation included permit activity: Speaker 2 said the city typically averages a couple thousand permits a year and is on pace this year for roughly 12,000 permits across single-family, multifamily and other permit types.

What’s next: officials said they will continue to recruit projects that fit Apache Junction’s character and to use downtown investments to attract restaurants and grocery stores. No formal vote or ordinance was recorded in the update.