Message from Vice Mayor Ann O'Brien
I’m excited to share that construction on The Metropolitan will begin ahead of the original timeline! This is remarkable progress on what is one of the largest mall redevelopment projects in Arizona’s history. The former site of Metrocenter Mall will be transformed into a mix of housing, retail and restaurants, plazas and parks, bike paths and public spaces. During a press event on Wednesday, the developer, Concord Wilshire, announced that construction is scheduled to begin for three of the five planned residential communities in April 2026 with construction on retail and the remaining two residential communities in April 2027. This much-needed housing being built by Oakwood Homes will include apartments and three types of townhomes: entry-level, mid-level and premium. The Metropolitan is setting an example for how Phoenix grows - with innovation, with connection, and with purpose!
You may have noticed another iconic Phoenix building coming down. The former Fry’s Electronics off I-17 at Thunderbird is being demolished to make way for our new Cactus Park Precinct. I’m thrilled that we’re showing our men and women in blue how much we value them! The design phase will begin later this year with construction scheduled to begin in 2026. The precinct, expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028, will take up eight acres and we’re reserving 4 acres at the site for a potential fire station in the future.
The City Council approved the acquisition for Fire Station 93 near the former Metrocenter Mall, soon to be The Metropolitan. This location will be essential in reducing response times and extreme activity levels to surrounding fire stations. It will house an all-hazards engine company and rescue company, providing search and rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical, and emergency transportation services. Design is expected to be completed next year with construction taking place 2027-28. The Department anticipates opening Fire Station 93 in 2028-29.
As part of National Preparedness Month, the City’s Office of Emergency Management is hosting “Stop the Bleed” trainings. The 90-minute course teaches civilians how to recognize and respond to life-threatening bleeding until professional help arrives. No prior first aid or trauma bleeding training is needed to participate. Register by clicking this link.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has snagged seven nominations – that’s right, seven! - as part of USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards! The categories include Best Large Airport, Best Art, Best Dining, Best Shopping, Best Airport Bar (O.H.S.O. Brewery), and two establishments in the running for Best Airport Sit-down Restaurant: Sir Veza’s and Blanco Tacos + Tequila. You can vote every day through October 6. I hope you’ll take time to vote for your hometown airport by clicking this link.
We’re gearing up for another fabulous Double Ten Day, one of Taiwan’s most important national holidays. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our Taiwanese community and enjoy delicious Taiwanese and Asian food, along with live performances. There will be a market with craft vendors and activities for kids. We’ll also have a drone light show, so bring a blanket or lawn chairs! The free event will take place on Saturday, October 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at ASU West Valley Campus. For directions, parking details, and more information, click here.
Mark your calendar for Boo Fest! Our free, family-friendly Halloween celebration will take place Saturday, October 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Paseo Highlands Park, 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road. We’ll have live entertainment, costume contests, complimentary candy and treats, inflatable attractions, and a children’s train ride! Food and beverages will also be available for purchase. I hope to see you at Paseo Highlands Park!
Ann O'Brien
Vice Mayor of Phoenix
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Mark Your Calendars: Community Meeting
Our next meeting will be Monday, October 27th, at the DoubleTree Resort Metrocenter located at 10220 N Metro Pkwy E, Phoenix, AZ 85051. Plan for check-in to begin at 7:30am and the meeting to start at 8:00am.
You can register below for the upcoming meeting! As a reminder, please fill out the form SEPARATELY for EACH member of your family planning to attend. Thank you!
News From the City of Phoenix
Upcoming Freeway Maintenance
Long-term ramp closures for Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) widening project scheduled to begin Oct. 6 and Oct. 13
The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following long-term ramp closures as part of the Loop 101 widening project between 75th Avenue and Interstate 17:
- The westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 27th Avenue will be closed starting 11:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, for approximately 60 days.
- DETOUR: Drivers may use the westbound frontage road to 35th Avenue to reach westbound Loop 101.
- The westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 51st Avenue will be closed starting 11:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, for approximately 60 days.
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider using Union Hills Drive to 59th Avenue to access westbound Loop 101 on-ramp, or traveling on the westbound frontage road (Beardsley Road) then travel south to eastbound Union Hills Drive to reach 51st Avenue.
Schedules are subject to change. ADOT will provide updates if adjustments are needed.
Drivers should use caution and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through any work zones.
Community Food Event
 On Saturday, October 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Deer Valley Community Center, the City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs will be hosting a Community Food Event open to all. This free, family-friendly event will provide local food resources and opportunities to learn about community food programs and to share your ideas on how the City can help residents grow, access, and enjoy healthy food. The event will feature activities for the whole family, food, and free locally grown produce and giveaways. Help us shape our food future! Visit our website for more information.
Celebrate Stormwater Awareness Week
 Only Rain in the Storm Drain Stormwater pollution affects our rivers, washes, and parks—but small everyday actions can make a big difference. Join us for National Stormwater Awareness Week (Sept. 22–26) and learn how you can help protect our environment.
Virtual Conference: Wednesday, Sept. 24 Just one hour to make a lasting impact. Register here: phoenix.gov/stormwater
Let’s work together to keep our storm drains clean and our communities thriving.
Happy Valley Road Improvements
 The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department is implementing key safety, capacity and drainage improvements along a four-mile stretch of Happy Valley Road from 67th Avenue to 35th Avenue. This major roadway project is expected to start in late-September 2025 and be completed in fall 2027.
Why the change?
Currently, the roadway varies between two and three travel lanes in each direction, with intermittent curb, gutter, sidewalk, raised medians, and bike lanes. The city will be widening Happy Valley Road, installing drainage infrastructure to manage runoff from Ludden Mountain, and adding key safety features to prevent collisions and protect vulnerable road users.
For full project details, visit Phoenix.gov/Streets/HappyValley.
Got questions? Call the Project Hotline at 623-825-3444, email HappyValleyRoadSTR@phoenix.gov
Take the MindCrowd Memory Test – let’s help them get to their 1 million participant goal!
MindCrowd is an innovative, free online study designed to engage users in cognitive research while providing them with valuable insights into their own mental abilities. By participating in simple, fun tasks, you help TGen scientists better understand how the human brain works—while learning more about your own cognitive strengths.
MindCrowd isn’t just another survey—it’s a citizen-scientist opportunity to contribute to meaningful research while having fun. They are close to their 1 million participant goal – help them get to their goal by the end of 2025.
Take the test at mindcrowd.org and watch the BBC StoryWorks Film on the City of Phoenix and MindCrowd here.
Beuf Health Fair
 The Goelet A. C. Beuf Senior Center, Parks and Recreation, and the Phoenix Families First Resource Center are hosting a Fun Fair Health and Wellness Community Event. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Goelet A. C. Beuf Community Center, located at 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027. This is a free, non-profit event.
This health and wellness event aims to acquaint elders, families, and all community members with local agencies that provide social services and healthcare. It is also an opportunity to network and build strong partnerships and collaborations. This event brings community residents together and encourages them to become and remain active in their community. The fair will feature information booths, a blood drive, an immunization clinic, activities, and raffle prizes.
Amazing Library Card Campaign
 Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month this September. Getting a Phoenix Public Library card is easy and free for Maricopa County residents. Just bring a valid photo ID to any library branch and unlock access to books, eBooks, computers, Wi-Fi, Culture Passes, and more. Visit phoenixpubliclibrary.org to learn more.
City Launches Community Survey
 The City of Phoenix is ready to launch the community survey. This survey asks questions on a wide range of topics around life in our community, from what residents think is working, to where they see a need for improvement, providing feedback that is used to calculate ongoing satisfaction scores. The survey is one more way to gather information from residents in our effort to more holistically understand neighborhood issues and enhance our responsiveness to community priorities.
The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and is available in both English and Spanish. The survey system sets response targets based on Census data to ensure community representation. Survey responses will be anonymous.
The survey is served up to residents on various websites and social media platforms. Residents can also respond to the survey directly with this link.
We’ve also created a survey landing page on Phoenix.gov to answer questions, including the security and privacy of the survey.
News From Deer Valley Unified School District
DVUSD Override and Land Sale on Nov. 4 Ballot
 The DVUSD Override, as well as a District land sale, will be placed on the upcoming mail-in ballot on Nov. 4!
Arizona historically ranks 49th or 50th in per-pupil spending. Overrides help school districts overcome chronic under-funding to support their students and staff.
This additional amount provides local support for instructional programs deemed important by the community. See the graph below, created by the Arizona Auditor General, explaining exactly how DVUSD's funds were spent. Of the district funds, 72.5% went directly into the classroom, with the remaining 27.5% used toward programs that support students, including transportation and food services.
The District land sale must also be voter-approved. This land sale involves approximately 19 acres of land northwest of Happy Valley Road and 83rd Avenue in Peoria. The land was originally donated by a developer and is currently unusable for DVUSD due to a lack of road access to the land.
Proceeds from the sale have limited uses, but can be applied toward items such as facilities, technology, transportation, and other infrastructure needs that benefit students.
The total cost of the override for homeowners is less than $20.67 per month on the average assessed home value. That's an average annual cost of $248.04.
 If the override is not reauthorized, the District would not be able to maintain the current level of programs and services and would have to continue to make reductions. The district would have to reduce investments in district and school programs by an estimated $11 million in each of the next two years (for a total of approximately $22 million), following initial cuts of $11 million due to the override not being reauthorized by district residents in November 2024.
This means the possible end of student and family programs such as free full-day kindergarten, cuts to athletics and arts programs, and the inability to attract and retain highly-qualified employees.
Find out further information about the upcoming election at dvusd.org/election
DVUSD Honors AASA Success of Teachers & Students
 The Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) September 23, 2025, Governing Board meeting opened with recognition of outstanding teachers and students for their exceptional performance on state assessments in English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and Science during the 2024–2025 school year.
DVUSD students significantly outperformed the state average, scoring 16% higher in ELA and 17% higher in Math on the AASA assessments. Additionally, 410 students across the district achieved the highest possible score in at least one subject.
The celebration began with recognition of 13 teachers whose students demonstrated the highest median growth percentile in ELA and Math across grade levels 4–11. Honorees included:
- ELA Teachers:
- 4th grade: Lilian Geesey, Diamond Canyon
- 5th grade: Shelley Miller, Sonoran Foothills
- 6th grade: Heather Duran, Stetson Hills
- 7th grade: Donovan Martin, Terramar Academy of the Arts
- 8th grade: Kristin Thiel, Sierra Verde STEAM Academy
- 9th grade: Sara Vecera, Deer Valley High School
- 11th grade: Mark Faust, Mountain Ridge High School
- Math Teachers:
- 4th grade: Tessa Thomas, Anthem
- 5th grade: Rosalie Bise, Traditional Academy at Bellair
- 6th grade: Casey Gellings, Greenbrier
- 7th grade: Mingie Wang, Gavilan Peak
- 8th grade: Dawn McKinney, Inspiration Mountain
- 9th grade: David Mohler, Mountain Ridge High
- 11th grade: Lindsey Fleegle, Mountain Ridge High
After teacher recognitions and photos, the focus shifted to students who earned the top possible scores on two or more assessments. Twenty-seven students from 3rd through 8th grade were honored, representing schools across the district, including Arrowhead, Canyon Springs, Gavilan Peak, Diamond Canyon, Greenbrier, Highland Lakes, Inspiration Mountain, Las Brisas, Legend Springs, Stetson Hills, Sunset Ridge, Terramar, Union Park, and West Wing.
Highlights included:
- 3rd Grade: Six students from multiple schools, including Greenbrier, Arrowhead, Union Park, Stetson Hills, Terramar, and Legend Springs.
- 4th Grade: Eight students from Canyon Springs, Gavilan Peak, Sunset Ridge, Diamond Canyon, Highland Lakes, and Legend Springs.
- 5th Grade: Five students from Inspiration Mountain, Union Park, Diamond Canyon, and Legend Springs.
- 6th Grade: One student from West Wing.
High School Freshmen (former 8th graders): Four students from Gavilan Peak, Highland Lakes, and Stetson Hills, now attending Boulder Creek, Mountain Ridge, or Sandra Day O’Connor High Schools.
Get in on the DVUSD Homecoming Fun!
 Homecoming season is right around the corner for our five District high schools. These celebrations are full of fun, spirit, and school pride! See the graphic below with information on upcoming parade and game day information! Visit dvusd.org/athletics for a full schedule of Fall athletic events!
News From Washington Elementary School District
Back Soon with More Exciting News!
News From Glendale Union High School District
CTE Advisory Breakfast
 Glendale Union High School District invites you to the Annual Industry Advisory Breakfast on Wednesday, October 1, from 8–10 a.m. at Thunderbird High School. Join us to network, share your expertise, and support Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare students across the district to become the future of Arizona’s workforce. Contact Tracy.Mayfield@guhsdaz.org for more information.
Marching Band Exhibition
 Glendale Union High School District will host its annual Marching Band Exhibition on November 3, 2025, at Glendale Community College, starting at 6:30 p.m. This free, open-to-the-public event will feature performances by student musicians from Apollo, Cortez, Glendale, Greenway, Independence, Moon Valley, Sunnyslope, Thunderbird, and Washington High Schools. Attendees will enjoy a night of music and school spirit as bands present their shows for the 2025 season.
GUHSD Principals Win Cognia Award
 The Glendale Union High School District Governing Board presented principals from every GUHSD high school with the prestigious Cognia Award, a symbol of exceptional leadership and dedication to excellence. This rigorous, internationally recognized accreditation highlights the district’s commitment to high-quality teaching, organizational excellence, and ongoing improvement. These accomplishments reflect the united efforts of students, staff, and families who work together toward success. Each day, GUHSD continues to honor the promise of student potential in every classroom and on every campus.
Interested in serving on Phoenix's Boards and Commissions?
 District 1 is seeking community leaders interested in serving as the District's representative for various boards and commissions, such as the Village Planning Committee.
To start the application process, please visit the Boards and Commissions webpage.
Upcoming City Council Meetings
- Next City Council Policy Meeting: October 21st
- Next City Council Formal Meeting: October 15th
Vice Mayor O'Brien has been appointed chairperson of the Economic Development & Arts Subcommittee, and is also a member of the Public Safety & Justice Subcommittee and the Community Services & Education Subcommittee. Visit the Council Subcommittee webpage for the schedule of public meetings.
Learn more about Vice Mayor O'Brien, her priorities and focus for District 1 on the district's webpage.
Connect with us!
   
phoenix.gov/district1
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