Resident urges council to abandon elements of Florence Boulevard concept plan, praises removal of Lawrence Boulevard narrowing

Casa Grande resident Carl Connolly Clampett told the City Council he was thankful the council and planning and zoning removed a plan to narrow Lawrence Boulevard, and urged council members to abandon other elements of a Florence Boulevard concept plan he described as "flawed."

Clampett said a welcome monument near I‑10 has value, but other elements — wide sidewalks, bike lanes with stamped logos, additional benches, public artwork and extensive tree planting — prioritize aesthetics over the road access that out‑of‑town motorists often need. "Non residents of Casa Grande getting off the I 10 at Florence are probably looking for gas, a snack, or lodging," Clampett said.

He warned that construction could take more than 10 years as the concept planners estimate, and said extended construction would push shoppers away and could cause existing businesses to fail. "I will shop well elsewhere if I have to to avoid construction areas for 10 years and so many of those existing businesses may go out," Clampett said. He noted that the public does not know the project cost or how much residents would ultimately pay.

Clampett urged the city to focus on widening or completing major thoroughfares and on attracting restaurants and stores, saying Casa Grande's appeal is affordability rather than a "pretty main street." The remarks were delivered during the public‑comment portion of the meeting; no council action on the concept plan was taken at the meeting beyond the earlier removal of the Lawrence Boulevard narrowing concept, which Clampett thanked the council and planning and zoning body for.

Clampett provided his street address and identified himself as a resident; he spoke during public comment and did not represent a civic group in the remarks.