Buckeye advances downtown specific-area plan and Monroe Avenue pilot to encourage walkable main street

City of Buckeye officials described ongoing work to transform downtown’s Monroe Avenue and implement a downtown specific-area plan (DSAP) intended to make the area more walkable, support new businesses and encourage evening activity.

Development Services Director Bridal Craig said the DSAP was built with input from downtown business owners, residents and other stakeholders and is “really a vision for downtown, but not just a vision that sits on a shelf.” Craig said the plan includes action items to convert Monroe from a highway into a Main Street with reduced through‑truck traffic, widened parking and space for parklets and outdoor seating.

Craig and the mayor discussed a demonstration striping project that reduced Monroe from four lanes (two each direction) to one lane in each direction with widened parking areas and opportunities for parklets. “One of the most transformative things the city can do…is transforming Monroe again from being a highway to a main street,” Craig said. Officials said the demonstration approach avoided major pavement or curb work and allowed the city to test concepts before making permanent changes.

City staff acknowledged tweaks may be needed: officials said the pavement is not yet built out for permanent configurations and that the city may introduce a center turn lane to improve access to businesses and facilitate public safety vehicle movement.

Officials said they will continue community outreach and hold another workshop specifically about Monroe on April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to gather public feedback on whether to keep the two‑lane arrangement or add a center turn lane and other refinements.

Ending: City staff said the DSAP is an active program and will continue to evolve with additional striping adjustments, public meetings and coordination with downtown businesses and residents.