Fountain Hills accepts MAG closeout funding for preliminary design of Parkview and Verde River corridor

The Fountain Hills Town Council approved Resolution 2025-07 to accept a Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) closeout grant that will pay for a 15% conceptual design for portions of the downtown corridor, including Parkview and parts of the Verde River corridor.

Justin (Public Works staff), who presented the item, said the town first applied for the grant in earlier rounds but did not score high enough to be selected. He said MAG later allocated "closeout funding" from projects with surplus money and Fountain Hills was chosen as a beneficiary. "This is a 15% design concept grant," Justin said, noting that the work includes survey, utility locating and other technical legwork that would make later, more detailed design phases easier and less costly.

Council members asked whether conceptual illustrations in the packet signaled any immediate removal of palms or loss of bike lanes. Justin and others said the graphic concepts were illustrative only and that the design is at an early stage. He noted there are relatively few palm trees along Parkview and that "the initial plan is no. It's not to destroy anything right now." The council approved the resolution 6-0 and staff said the town would pursue 60–90% design and final approvals later, contingent on future budget decisions.

The grant acceptance moves the town into the next planning phase for downtown connectivity, walkability and potential placemaking work that will later require additional design and construction funding decisions by the council.