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Avondale council approves ordinance to pursue land purchase for Agua Fria River trailhead
Summary
The Avondale City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 02/2024 authorizing staff to pursue acquisition of a parcel near the Agua Fria River for a trailhead and related parking; staff will perform due diligence, negotiate with Maricopa County, and return with project funding requests.
The Avondale City Council voted unanimously Oct. 21 to adopt Ordinance 02/2024 authorizing staff to pursue acquisition of real property for a trailhead and related parking area along the Agua Fria River. The measure cleared the council after staff outlined a multi-step process that begins with due diligence and could lead to later budget requests for design and construction.
City projects administrator James Melanes told the council the approval would let staff “perform due diligence,” including an ALTA survey and a Phase I environmental assessment, before negotiating a purchase with Maricopa County. Melanes said staff expects to return to the council later for a budget transfer (likely during the January or April quarterly transfer period) and then to seek funding in the normal budget process for design and construction of trail amenities.
Council members focused questions on property access and connectivity. Melanes said Maricopa County would likely retain some river-bottom property and that staff anticipates negotiating an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for any shared driveway or maintenance access. He added that part of the project design would address how to connect east- and west-side trail segments without routing users through unstable sand or flood-prone areas.
Councilmembers also raised safety and amenity questions — including lighting and water — and staff said those details would be worked into future project design and presented to council. The parks and trails director signaled support for the concept, and staff emphasized the current vote authorized only pursuing the land opportunity and the associated due diligence, not immediate construction.
The ordinance was moved by Councilmember Nielsen and seconded by Councilmember Solorio; the clerk recorded unanimous support. With the ordinance adopted, staff will proceed with surveys and environmental review and begin negotiations with Maricopa County, then return to the council for appropriation of acquisition and later design funds.
What happens next: staff will complete appraisals and surveys, engage the county on access/IGAs, and bring a formal budget request for acquisition and later project funding during the standard budget cycle.
