Researching story about life in Maricopa- need residents to talk to about the city (Phoenix: foreclosure)

[BlueprintAmerica]

I'm researching a story for an upcoming PBS documentary on American's infrastructure. We're looking at Arizona as a location to film a segment about suburban/exurban sprawl and the challenges of rapid growth. Specifically, we're looking for residents of Maricopa who can talk about the incredible population growth Maricopa's experienced, and how it is shaping the city.
Are you frustrated about the lack of jobs near Maricopa?
Are you happy commuting to Phoenix?
Do you support mass transit coming to the area?
Do you like/dislike having to drive everywhere?
How were you affected when gas prices were high?
Do you think the growth Maricopa has experienced is sustainable?
What, if anything, do you want to see done differently in the town planning?
What jobs/recreation/services would you like to see in Maricopa?
Have you personally been affected by the city's growth (esp. if you are a farmer)?

If you're interested in speaking with us, please contact Kristina at cafarellak@thirteen.org.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by BlueprintAmerica

I'm researching a story for an upcoming PBS documentary on American's infrastructure. We're looking at Arizona as a location to film a segment about suburban/exurban sprawl and the challenges of rapid growth. Specifically, we're looking for residents of Maricopa who can talk about the incredible population growth Maricopa's experienced, and how it is shaping the city.
Are you frustrated about the lack of jobs near Maricopa?
Are you happy commuting to Phoenix?
Do you support mass transit coming to the area?
Do you like/dislike having to drive everywhere?
How were you affected when gas prices were high?
Do you think the growth Maricopa has experienced is sustainable?
What, if anything, do you want to see done differently in the town planning?
What jobs/recreation/services would you like to see in Maricopa?
Have you personally been affected by the city's growth (esp. if you are a farmer)?

If you're interested in speaking with us, please contact Kristina at cafarellak@thirteen.org.

Gee, do you have any positive perspectives/questions?

[BlueprintAmerica]

We want to be as even-handed as possible in our story. I've actually based my questions above largely on the discussion found on this board, and the questions raised by people looking to move to Maricopa and those that already live there. Creating better mass transportation in formerly car-dependent areas of the county is a huge component in fixing American's infrastructure. So is more sustainable, less spread-out growth. We're interested to hear from people who are living in areas where this kind of change is being talked about.

[61scout80]

Originally Posted by BlueprintAmerica

I'm researching a story for an upcoming PBS documentary on American's infrastructure. We're looking at Arizona as a location to film a segment about suburban/exurban sprawl and the challenges of rapid growth. Specifically, we're looking for residents of Maricopa who can talk about the incredible population growth Maricopa's experienced, and how it is shaping the city.
Are you frustrated about the lack of jobs near Maricopa? no. chandler is only a 20 minute drive away, and there are plenty of jobs in my field there. When i lived in chandler my commute to work took the same amount of time.
Are you happy commuting to Phoenix?
i don't mind. Its really not that far.
Do you support mass transit coming to the area?
the cities "maricopa max" bus service is an excellent idea to help commuters to downtown phoenix. I do support that coming to the area. There is also an amtrak station in town, which makes traveling by rail super easy
Do you like/dislike having to drive everywhere?
it doesn't bother me. when i lived in wilkes-barre, tempe, and chandler i drove just as much. its no different
How were you affected when gas prices were high?
i rented a home while prices were inflated.
Do you think the growth Maricopa has experienced is sustainable?
yes. the housing bubble provided a good number of quality homes. currently more and more commercial interests are noticing maricopa.
What, if anything, do you want to see done differently in the town planning?
not much. the city planning department has been making some wise choices lately and is working hard to market maricopa to the right businesses.
What jobs/recreation/services would you like to see in Maricopa?
the recently approved park and recreation bond will provide much leisure activity for maricopa residents. i believe there are $65 million in bonds available for recreation activities. the downtown redevelopment district to be announced soon will spur more dense growth. the currently under construction library will also be a nice upgrade from the current facility, which will become a youth center.
Have you personally been affected by the city's growth (esp. if you are a farmer)?
i'm not a farmer, but many of the farmers have enjoyed cashing out for millions of dollars. Maricopa will be an up and coming city in the future. the current city council is making the correct choices to assure our growth will continue.


If you're interested in speaking with us, please contact Kristina at cafarellak@thirteen.org.

there is my opinion in a nutshell

[azjack]

You are probably already aware of this article on Maricopa and exurban Arizona RE, life, etc. It might be interesting to see how the situation there has changed, worsened, improved since the article was published eight months ago. Let us know before it airs so that we know to watch.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/re...pagewanted=all

[BlueprintAmerica]

We actually first heard about Maricopa from that NY Times article, and we are interested to know if it's an accurate portrayal of the city. Since the article was published, I know that a commuter bus to Phoenix has begun running. Is the new bus system a success? Do you or your neighbors use it? I also just read that the city is considering plans to build a local airport (I believe this is all still in the planning stages). Do you think this is a wise investment for Maricopa? Why or why not? If not, what else could that money be used for?

[azjack]

" Do you or your neighbors use it? I also just read that the city is considering plans to build a local airport (I believe this is all still in the planning stages). Do you think this is a wise investment for Maricopa? Why or why not? If not, what else could that money be used for?"

I actually do not live in Maricopa, although most would describe my area as exurban as well, Surprise, AZ. Surprise has a downtown commuter bus that has been successful. A third morning bus was added in the last several months to accommodate an increase in ridership. My schedule is somewhat irregular, but I do use the Surprise one about a quarter of the time.

Of course, much commuting in greater Phoenix is suburb to suburb, which is harder to provide transportation for. There is a Surprise to Scottsdale commuter express bus that inexplicably still operates, despite appearing to be nearly empty any time that I have seen it on the road.

Back to Maricopa. I have been there a few times and it certainly smells more rural. That is not a shot, it is a fact. Other "outer" areas had more time to develop, and Maricopa was just thrust into the world of development in a much tighter time frame. I do not see how public infrastructure or meaningful private enterprise will expand enough there in the next few years because of the municipal and corporate belt-tightening that must occur.

Also, keep in mind that unlike every city from Wickenburg to Chandler (including Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale), Maricopa is not located inside Maricopa County. It is in Pinal County, which also includes other exurban boom-bust areas like Queen Creek/Johnson Ranch. I have never looked at Pinal County's current budget issues, but it can not possibly be good.

The article was also discussed here:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...t-article.html

[Beena]

Question 23 - are you currently in foreclosure or will be soon?

Hey, kick us while we are down why don't you.