<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2cqtuZ_15k2TtNr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2cqtuZ_15k2TtNr00" width="640" height="320" ><figcaption>1/3 The new reservoir will double the water storage capacity for the city of Phoenix. It is funded largely by a $5-million state grant of American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to Phoenix as it took over operation of the Charlotte Ann Water District, which served an area around Highway 99 just north of town. The new reservoir will also increase the ability to respond to fires and allow for future development within the city. (Photo courtesy RH2 Engineering)</figcaption></figure>A mix of tenants including technology, research, higher education, medical training, industrial and other uses is foreseen in the area, plus residential unitsNearing completion, a 2-million-gallon city of Phoenix reservoir in the hills east of North Phoenix Road will mark a major step forward in the development of 288 acres designated as the South Valley Employment Zone.A mix of tenants including technology, research, higher education, medical training, industrial and other uses is foreseen in the area. There will also be residential development.“It’s a really big deal. We will see fruition of some of this within the next couple of years. We’d like to see some building permits. We have some people in mind,” said Randy Jones, manager and co-owner of Mahar homes, which owns the property.Talks have been held with a variety of firms, including technology companies. “I think the valley will be surprised,” Jones said.The new reservoir will double the water storage capacity for the city. It is funded largely by a $5-million state grant of American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to Phoenix as it took over operation of the Charlotte Ann Water District, which served an area around Highway 99 just north of town. The new reservoir will also increase the ability to respond to fires and allow for future development within the cityApproximately 288 acres of land, which includes 44 acres of residential, 217 acres of employment, and 26 acres of open space, was annexed into the city on Jan. 1, 2024. It sits on both sides of North Phoenix Road and includes the Arrowhead Ranch. The land was given an agricultural overlay zoning which will allow cattle to continue to graze until development is undertaken.Pilot Rock Excavation, the low bidder, was awarded the contract to construct the reservoir and 6,500 feet of water line in February at a cost of $6,257,550. The amount above the grant award will be covered by the city system development charge fund and grants.“It basically doubles the capacity of stored water for firefighting,” said City Manager Eric Swanson. “It’s a pretty significant investment by the city and between the money from the ARPA grant and SDCs and other grants, the impact on the rate payer will be pretty minimal for the capacity involved.”“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we need the water part first,” said Jones. “The goal is to have water being put into the lines by the first of December.”Mahar and the city are collaborating on the development process. The next major step is a revision of the city’s transportation plan to account for traffic that will be generated by the development, which will include both major and secondary roads.A private contractor is working with the city and the developer on the traffic study needed, said Community Development Director Zac Moody. Going to a private firm was chosen to speed up the process. A state grant could have been sought for the study, but that would have likely delayed work until 2027.“We have to have the plan update before any zone change,” said Moody. “We needed the (plan) work done like yesterday.”Roads, water lines, sewer line and storm drain systems in the area will be funded in-part by a $4.5 million grant from Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, said Swanson. District 5 State Representative Pam Marsh assisted the parties in securing the grant, he said.“Probably the first development in all the area will be right above Garrison,” said JonesAfter voters dissolved the Charlotte Ann Water District in May, 2023, the city took over its operation. In August that year they annexed just over 100 acres into the city that included commercial properties and right of ways. State law prevents annexation of residential parcels into the city, unless requested by an owner, until March 2027.Numerous residences in the area were destroyed by the 2020 Almeda Fire. But several large apartment complexes and other residences have been built since then. The Royal Oaks Mobile Manor, rebuilt with state funds that offers new, free homes for fire survivors, has begun occupancy and will eventually have 118 tenants.The new dwellings won’t be annexed until March 2027. But transfer of ownership for any residence in the area would result in annexation, as would commercial development.The city receives inquiries regularly about new commercial development, but has not had any requests for approval, said Moody. Some commercial property owners are seeking to convert second stories to residences, which can be more easily done under the city land use codes compared to the previous county codes.With the 2023 annexation, the city redid its parks master plan. That document now calls for creation of a regional recreation space in the area to meet city needs, said Moody.“We didn’t decide the location. We have a couple of ideas,” said Moody. “But the land is much more parcelized, so it is hard to find the acreage to build a park over there. We are still looking.”Oregon’s Department of Transportation has a Highway 99 project underway that will bring a new road surface, bike lanes, turning lanes and lighted pedestrian walkways from Coleman Creek to South Stage Road in the annexed area.A separate $1.6-million grant from the Governor’s Housing Initiative is being used to build a street, currently under construction, to support the planned 88-unit low-income Phoenix Corner apartment complex. Phoenix Corner will be located on 4 acres east of Interstate 5 on Grove Road close to Fern Valley Road, a mostly commercial area.Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at tboomwriter@gmail.com.</div></body>

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A mix of tenants including technology, research, higher education, medical training, industrial and other uses is foreseen in the area, plus residential units. Nearing completion, a 2-million-gallon city of Phoenix reservoir in the hills east of North Phoenix Road will mark a major step forward in the development of 288 acres designated as the South Valley Employment Zone.

Phoenix 2-million-gallon reservoir project heralds next steps in development

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A mix of tenants including technology, research, higher education, medical training, industrial and other uses is foreseen in the area, plus residential un

Phoenix 2-million-gallon reservoir project heralds next steps in development

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