City staff told the council the Mill Avenue Streetscape reconstruction (University Drive to Rio Salado) is roughly 90% complete and entering punch‑list and warranty work, with remaining items including a gateway sign installation expected in March–April and full mill‑and‑overlay paving planned for summer to limit impacts.

Eric Iverson, Transportation and Sustainability Director, and Tara Ford, Public Works Director, said the project began in 2024 as an underground electrical and irrigation upgrade and evolved into a comprehensive surface rebuild with new pavers, expanded planting areas, ADA improvements and amenities to support downtown businesses and events. "We built this project not just for now but for the future," Ford said, describing accessible junction boxes and electrical bands intended to reduce future sidewalk disruption.

Staff described several unforeseen construction complications that required extra work: some signal and light pole foundations were compromised when crews began digging and needed rehabilitation or replacement; one pole fell and was recovered on site. Ford noted structural remediation and continuing assessment of poles with the contractor (Aiken Garner) while work progressed. The team also corrected severe sidewalk cross slopes—previously measured at 7–8% and once as steep as 13%—to meet ADA cross‑slope limits of 2%.

Landscaping and streetscape elements include five new tree species selected for canopy and drought resilience, expanded planting areas to support tree success, mosaic medallions that will be sandblasted with interpretive etching and four new bus shelter designs featuring patterns developed with local indigenous artists (Hukio Group). Staff said ficus will no longer be planted per guidance from the Arizona Department of Water Resources; existing healthy ficus will be retained until end of life.

Staff said they are coordinating construction with downtown events and business outreach and will reuse extended work hours where the noise ordinance allows to limit daytime disruption. The gateway sign is being fabricated and will be erected once underground support work is complete; staff estimated 7–10 days for erection once materials arrive. Paving is a full reconstruct and not a standard overlay; staff said they will return to share a detailed paving schedule when available.

The council praised the project’s improved sidewalks, shade and public realm while asking staff to prioritize business access and consider nighttime work windows where feasible. Staff confirmed monthly status meetings and recordings for businesses and residents to monitor progress.