Council funds downtown façade program policy work; green‑lights design for Parkview and Verde River streetscape

Fountain Hills council directed staff to carry placeholder budget authority for a downtown façade improvement program and authorized design work for streetscape improvements on Parkview and Verde River, while several council members asked staff to return with construction‑phase details and timeline before committing to full buildout.

Economic Development Director Amanda summarized outreach and planning that preceded the item: six stakeholder focus groups, four community surveys and a May open house that drew more than 100 attendees. Staff proposed a $50,000 annual downtown façade improvement program (a matching grant model typical in other municipalities) and a downtown digital marketing supplement; the downtown fund was proposed to increase to about $165,000 per year (staff said the fund currently holds roughly $700,000 of reserves).

For streetscape work, staff explained that option 3 from the previous CIP discussion had been selected; the FY26 proposed budget includes $515,000 for design of Parkview and Verde River improvements. Amanda and Justin (public works) said the town has a $95,000 grant from MAG that can offset part of design costs. Staff emphasized the $515,000 request is for design and survey, including utility identification and accessible‑route work; construction costs would be presented later and require separate council action.

Council reaction split. Supporters said downtown improvements are needed to attract businesses and visitors and noted a long history of discussion. Skeptical members called the design allocation “cart before the horse” and asked why the council should budget for design before final policy and before seeing sales tax trend data. A few council members favored green‑lighting design but asked staff to bring construction documents and bid estimates back to council before awarding construction contracts, citing the town’s summer meeting schedule and the need for public outreach.

Staff response: Public works and economic development said they will use the MAG grant, solicit on‑call design consultants, and return with contract documents and construction cost estimates before any construction appropriation. Council offered mixed timing directions (some asked for immediate green light on design, others asked for a fall revisit when more revenue data is available).

What’s next: staff will proceed with design acquisition and use the MAG grant for the design phase. Construction phase funding, scope and timing will return to council for formal approval before any construction contracts are executed.