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Council discusses economic development in underserved districts and food access
Summary
Council members flagged equitable economic development, retail recruitment along Highway 58 and food‑access gaps in parts of the city — including a need for grocery options in Districts 5, 8 and 9 — and tied those needs to health outcomes and neighborhood investment.
Several council members said economic development and equitable distribution of city services should be a top priority, focusing on underserved corridors, grocery access and job opportunities.
Councilman Clark urged efforts to close equity gaps and bring retail and dining to Highway 58, describing it as an overdue investment opportunity. “We have to make sure there’s equitable distribution of resources across all districts,” he said, adding that District 5 should be considered a central economic driver.
Councilman Harvey and others discussed targeted inner‑city economic development to create opportunities in Avondale and other neighborhoods and suggested partnering with UTC and the Chamber of Commerce to attract jobs and trade‑school opportunities. Council members linked improved local jobs to broader goals of affordable housing and reduced displacement.
Several council members raised food access as a specific concern. Councilwoman Donley described health consequences from limited access to fresh food and an experience she attributed to a high‑sodium canned soup: “That soup in that can almost took me out,” she said, using the anecdote to underscore how processed foods can affect residents in neighborhoods without nearby grocery stores. Council members proposed incentives or redevelopment strategies to bring grocery retail back into underserved areas.
No ordinance or budget allocation was adopted during the session; council members asked staff to compile options for targeted economic incentives, retail recruitment strategies and possible partnerships with local institutions.
