Two years ago, the rush hour crawl on westbound I-10 west of the Loop 101 was unbearable. In the midst of an $81 million makeover, I-10 commuters traveling from work to their Goodyear homes (or points nearby) are finding that their rush hour commute has decreased by 15 to 20 minutes.

 

More freeway improvements for the West Valley are in the works.

 

It’s March and in Arizona that means one thing: the Boys of Summer are back in town.

 

Goodyear, Surprise, Peoria and Glendale host Major League Baseball franchises as they gather to prepare for the upcoming season. On March 3, spring training opens with the Seattle Mariners hosting the San Francisco Giants at the Peoria Sports Complex at 1 p.m.

 

If you find yourself visiting Arizona during spring training and you don’t want to leave, be sure to check out the West Valley homes for sale. You won’t be the first person to come to spring training on a vacation and leave with the feeling that this is the only place you want to live.

 

In the meantime, here’s a quick rundown of the West Valley ballparks, teams and links to important information:

 

Camelback Ranch Park

10710 W. Camelback Road

Glendale, AZ 85037

Teams: Chicago White Sox & Los Angeles Dodgers

 

Goodyear Ballpark

1933 South Ballpark Way,
Goodyear, AZ 85338

Teams: Cleveland Indians & Cincinnati Reds

 

Peoria Sports Complex

16101 N. 83rd Avenue,
Peoria AZ 85382

Teams: Seattle Mariners & San Diego Padres

 

Surprise Stadium

15850 North Bullard
Surprise AZ 85374

Teams: Texas Rangers & Kansas City Royals

 

 

 

The struggling economy and Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa bankruptcy last May has Litchfield Park facing a tax revenue shortfall of nearly $175,000. Even though the city has more than $4 million secured in its coffers, the city council agreed last month to place a property tax proposal seeking $1 million in revenue on the May 18 ballot.

 

Currently, Litchfield Park real estate is not taxed. Sales tax, the majority of which had come from the Wigwam, allowed the community to maintain its upscale features without burdening residents’ wallets. Even though Jerry Colangelo’s investment group has purchased the Wigwam and is ready to give it a facelift, its business (and the city’s sales tax revenue from that business) is tied to the struggling economy.

 

The property tax is also supposed to even out the fire service fee imbalance. Only half of the residents in Litchfield Park are paying for the city’s public safety contract with a private fire service entity, which serves the entire city. In addition, the property tax will allow the city to lower its sales tax, according to one councilman, and attract more business.

 

Residents are split on the issue and the topic is so emotionally charged that the city set strict guidelines for when the property tax can be discussed. Some residents argue that the rules violate the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights. The city allowed residents and organizations to formally submit their concerns and arguments, but for a $25 fee and each submission was limited to 300 words.

 

Candidates for the upcoming election diverge on this issue, and many believe that this issue will be a major factor in the outcome. Those in favor of the tax are concerned that the city doesn’t have enough time to educate its residents on where the overages would be spent.