Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tolleson public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in development
Owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program
The city wants another $500,000 in federal CDBG money to keep fixing roofs, ACs and unsafe electrical for low-income homeowners — about ten homes a year, with 16 people on the waitlist and a few hundred more homes needing repairs.
91st Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Construction
The city locked in the guaranteed maximum price to actually build the pedestrian bridge over the ag channel. This is a real infrastructure project moving from design to construction.
City-owned land sale at 91st and Van Buren
The city sold a corner lot for $1 million with a deed-restricted commitment to a 30,000+ square-foot grocery store — a top resident ask. Developer protections let the city reclaim the property if the store never materializes.
Costco expansion rezone near 91st Avenue and Buckeye Road
Costco wants to add a former JBS parcel to its existing store site, mostly for parking. Rezoning it to Light Industrial actually restricts what could be built there — heavy industrial uses the PAD zoning would have allowed are now off the table.
Grocery store development agreement
The city has been trying for years to land a full-size grocery store, and the chain in talks wants 40-45,000 square feet — more than the CORE district's current 30,000-square-foot cap allows. The recommended ordinance change would clear that hurdle for a site at 91st Avenue and Van Buren.
Tolleson mailing address vs. city limits confusion
Residents between Lower Buckeye and Broadway have Tolleson mailing addresses but live in unincorporated Phoenix, so they can't use some resident services like Avondale's — soon Tolleson's — pool. The city says the ZIP code can't be changed without 25,000 delivery points, but welcomes these neighbors at all city events and programs.
Proposed 323-unit affordable housing community
Dominium wants to rezone 12.68 acres from light industrial to build 'The Waverly' — 323 apartments with rents capped for 30 years for families earning roughly $47,000-$67,000. The project would meet most of the city's identified rental housing need, but council members bluntly signaled they'd vote no because of frustration with the school district land partnership, not the project itself. The developer must commit $430,000 to the state by March 31 without zoning in place.
City-owned property development strategy
Council gave direction on eleven city parcels: owner-occupied condos and a possible pond on the 'pit' property, infill housing on Polk Street, a community event center on Van Buren, and retail/light-industrial on the 83rd Avenue acreage. Staff will return with plans.
Public housing redevelopment loan and fee waivers
The Council put up a $500,000 low-interest loan and fee waivers so the county housing authority can win tax credits and rebuild Baden Homes and Holler Apartments into 100 modern affordable units with services and amenities. Existing families get relocation help and priority to return.
City buys land on Pierce Street
The City will pay up to $300,000 to buy two parcels at 9101 W. Pierce Street for public and municipal purposes — the city hasn't said exactly what goes there yet.