Cholla District Weekly Update

Dear Cholla Residents,

Earlier this week at the Dec. 9 Council Workshop, City Architect Eddie Garcia provided an update on the Downtown Campus Reinvestment Project (DCRP), as we look towards completion this Spring. Glendale's City Hall campus was constructed in 1984 and needed significant reinvestment to remain usable for future decades. The renovations and investments into the campus include City Hall and parking garage, amphitheater, and the adjacent Murphy Park.

The campus has been under construction since the Fall 2023. If you have already visited downtown Glendale this season for Glendale Glitters or you are planning to visit, you will notice the significant progress as we get closer to this finish line with move-in targeted for Spring 2026. Above at the top of the newsletter is a recent aerial view of campus presented at the Workshop.

Currently, the construction crew is working on interior finishes and lighting within City Hall. Mr. Garcia discussed plans for a gallery wall along the Council offices corridor which will include artifacts depicting Glendale's legacy. A full mechanical start up for the building is in progress. Outside, crew are working diligently on the amphitheater seating, grading, planters, and structural soils.

Next month, the crew will focus on the parking garage, network equipment installation, punch list for interior floors, and electrical & irrigation prep in Murphy Park. Most of the demo of the park has been completed with the exception to the entrance around the Velma Teague Library. That demo area will be coordinated with Community Services and the Library team early in the new year.

Images of the City gazebo were presented with plans for steel construction and including both a main and ADA ramp entrance. Visuals of the gazebo showed how it was designed for multiple uses including set ups for band ensembles, proclamations, and ceremonial events with changing light features in sync with park lighting. For full details on the DCRP, visit the City web site. There is also a webcam view for live progress, as well as a timelapse view of the project to date.

I have received some questions regarding the cafe lights not working over Glendale Avenue. It was noted at this Workshop that City Engineers are aware and working to address the issue.

I hope to see some of you at one of the many upcoming events around the City this week. I will be participating in the Hometown Christmas Parade tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 13 at 11 AM in Downtown Glendale, along with fellow members from the Glendale Rotary Club. I also encourage you to join me in attending the Foothills Division Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8:30 AM at Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center. Join members of the Glendale City Police for Christmas BINGO, coffee, and donuts.

My office is always open and ready to assist you. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns that you may have. I value your input and opinion.

Warm Regards,

Lauren Tolmachoff

Glendale City Council, Cholla District

623-930-2249, Option 7 for Cholla

LTolmachoff@GlendaleAZ.com

CHOLLA DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

Childsplay Theater Presents The Imaginators at Foothills Library: Dec. 13, 11 AM - 12 PM
Families are welcome to attend this heartwarming and humorous play sure to remind us that imagination is a superpower, friendships are found in unexpected places, and the best adventures begin when you dare to play. Visit the web site for more information.

Free Big Band Holiday Concert at Foothills Library: Dec. 15, 6 PM
Start the season with traditional music performed live with the big band flair by Big Band Grandstand. The concert is free with seating on a first come basis. Doors open at 5:30 PM and the music starts at 6 PM. Visit the web site for more information.

Coffee with a Cop Foothills Division: Dec. 16, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Join us for Christmas BINGO and Coffee with a Cop! Chance to win a prize. Coffee and donuts will be provided. Visit the web site for more information.

Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center

This full-service facility is located at 5600 W. Union Hills Drive within the Cholla District and provides educational, recreational, fitness, and social opportunities for the Glendale community. For gym, aerobics, and swim schedules, visit the web site.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC ALERTS

Cholla District Upcoming Pavement Work Scheduled - Click Here for the Map

• Streets north of Beardsley Road to south of Thunderbird Conservation Park, between 59th Avenue and 67th Avenue (excluding streets recently resurfaced or currently scheduled for mill and overlay) – Due to cooler daytime temperatures setting in, the remainder of the slurry seal application has been postponed to Spring 2026 when warmer weather returns.
• Lone Cactus Drive, just west of Arrowhead Loop Road and 61st Avenue, just east of Arrowhead Loop Road – Mill and overlay to take place in mid-January.
• Rose Garden Lane, Lone Cactus Drive and 61st Drive, just east of Arrowhead Loop Road - Mill and overlay to take place in mid-January.
• Streets between Union Hills Drive and Beardsley Road, and between 75th Avenue and the Loop 101 – Crack sealing to begin in early January to prepare for a Latex Modified Surface Seal (LMSS) application to begin in May.
• 59th Avenue, Bell Road to Union Hills Drive - Crack sealing to begin in early February to prepare for a Slurry Seal application in mid-April.
• 83rd Avenue, Bell Road to Union Hills Drive - Crack sealing to being in early February to prepare for a Slurry Seal application during night hours in late April.
• Sack Drive and 64th Avenue on the northeast corner of Union Hills and 67th Avenue - Crack sealing to take place in late February to prepare for a Slurry Seal application in Spring 2026.
• 51st Avenue between Beardsley and Tonopah - Crack sealing to take place in late February to prepare for a Slurry Seal application during night hours in late April.

Cholla Traffic Restrictions Due to City Landscape Restoration Activities in Medians

• Traffic will be restricted to the outside lane in the westbound direction of Union Hills Drive from 67th Avenue to 70th Avenue through Jan. 2, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
• Traffic will be restricted to the outside lane in the eastbound direction of Union Hills Drive from 70th Avenue to 67th Avenue through Jan. 2, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center Park-and-Ride Structure Construction

The City of Glendale has contracted with GCON to construct a park-and-ride parking structure in the west half of the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center parking lot. Construction has begun and to accommodate this work, the west half of the parking lot will be closed to vehicles through Jan. 30, 2026. Thank you for your patience during this work. Project Hotline: 602-532-6250

City of Glendale Project Hotline: 602.532.6250

Loop 101 Current and Upcoming Closures & Restrictions

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following closures as part of the Loop 101 widening project:

Upcoming Traffic Control Scheduled:

• North and southbound 31st Avenue will be closed at Loop 101 nightly from 10 PM to 5 AM beginning Tuesday night, Dec. 16 and ending the morning of Thursday, Dec. 18.
• DETOUR: Drivers may use the east and westbound frontage road (Beardsley) to 35th or 43rd Avenues to get around the closure.

Long-Term Ramp Closures:

• The westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 51st Avenue will be closed for approximately 60 days from Oct. 13.
• DETOUR: Drivers may consider using Union Hills Drive to 59th Avenue to access westbound Loop 101 on-ramp or traveling on the westbound frontage road (Beardsley) then travel south to eastbound Union Hills Drive to reach 51st Avenue.
• The westbound Loop 101 off-ramp at 59th Avenue will be closed for approximately 60 days from Oct. 20.
• DETOUR: Drivers may use either the 51st Avenue or 67th Avenue off-ramps to exit westbound Loop 101.
• The westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 67th Avenue will be closed for approximately 60 days from Oct. 20.
• DETOUR: Drivers may use the eastbound frontage road (Beardsley) to 59th Ave. to reach eastbound Loop 101.

Current Frontage Road Closures & Ongoing Lane Restrictions:

• The westbound frontage road (Beardsley) will continue to be reduced to one lane between 35th and 51st Avenues through 5 AM, Sat. Feb. 15.
• Lane restrictions are ongoing at the following locations for bridge work and frontage road improvements:
• At the 51st & 35th Avenue interchanges: All on and off ramps will be narrowed to one lane. The left-turn lane for both east and westbound on-ramps will be narrowed to one lane. 51st and 35th Avenues will be narrowed to one lane under Loop 101.
• At the 31st Avenue interchange: The 31st Avenue shoulders will be closed under Loop 101. Pedestrian access is still available.

Drivers should use caution and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through any work zones.

CITYWIDE HIGHLIGHTS & CALENDAR

Download the 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule

Watch Council Meetings Live on the City's Facebook, YouTube, or on Glendale Channel 11.