October 12, 2007

Maricopa's Vice Mayor Brent Murphree sat down with the Monitor last week to talk about his vision for Maricopa.

Murphree grew up in Maricopa, graduated from MHS and has been in on the city's incorporation and burgeoning government from the beginning.

"Because I'm single, my family is my community," Murphree said of his involvement in Maricopa. He's also a past president of the Rotary Club.

Murphree would like for Maricopa to be seen as a player and said he thinks Maricopa is perceived better outside the state of Arizona than within it.

"Maricopa was always kind of the poor stepchild of Pinal County. We haven't had people really take us seriously, yet."

The Vice Mayor also thinks that the City Council needs to put a "face" to Maricopa.

"I think the City Council has failed to do that so far."

Murphree thinks that since the "bottom fell out of the City Center" there has been a lot of great theories but not much has actually been done.

That's one reason why he's so excited about the project he's been working on with Councilmember Will Dunn, the planning department and a group of citizens - Destination Maricopa.

"I am excited to be seeing more action on building our downtown area.

Several of us have worked hard to get some forward momentum on this project.

"I have always wanted to put a face to Maricopa that can bring us together as a community and this is exactly what I hope this project can do.

"Today we are a city of separate and distinct communities like Rancho El Dorado, Maricopa Manor and Tortosa, and we all drive north to have fun.

"My vision for the project is that it will create a downtown that will draw our residents to employment, entertainment and civic services. That will alleviate traffic into the Phoenix Metro area, keep our residents in town and hopefully build on that sense of community that a number of us are trying to maintain.

"I believe one of the reasons that we have not developed as an economic center is because we are focusing on bringing in big employment players to Maricopa without laying the foundation for building that employment growth.

It has to start with a commitment to our community encouraging economic growth at a fundamental level. This includes keeping residents in Maricopa and showing that the city government is committed to building that core for our residents.

"I want the plan to include medical and office space, entertainment venues, restaurants, open space, multifamily housing. It has to include "walkability" and a manageable traffic plan.

"Traffic on Hwy. 347 will always be an issue, but we will be able to move foot traffic away from the heavy volume on the route and into a pedestrian friendly core. It needs to be a place to congregate with ease and a center for our community."

Murphree's vision is based on the question, "What will the personality of Maricopa be?" He'd like to see it be the kind of community that has at its core social concern and hopes to be part of bringing his vision to fruition.

However, his involvement in the future may take other forms than serving on the City Council. Murphree hopes to be part of bringing the arts to Maricopa.

"I'd love to work towards an Arts Commission or something along that line."

©Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. 2007