| |
Cholla District Weekly Update
January 16, 2026
| |
| |
Dear Cholla Residents,
Over the past few weeks, Glendale officials have been engaging with our federal partners seeking more information regarding a recent media report that DHS intends to convert a warehouse into an ICE Detention Facility in the City of Glendale.
While we have been unable to confirm the validity of the story, it is possible that, if real, the proposed detention center may not have to come before the Glendale City Council for approval.
Many of you have contacted me to express your opinion on DHS establishing a detention center in Glendale. I believe the most effective way to weigh in on this topic is to share your opinion with our elected representatives in Washington DC.
The Cholla District is in Congressional District 8 and is represented by Abe Hamadeh:
- To contact CD 8 Congressman Abe Hamadeh, please go here.
There are 2 additional Congressional districts in Glendale:
- To contact CD 3 Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, please go here.
- To contact CD 9 Congressman Paul Gosar, please go here.
Arizona has 2 U.S. Senators:
- To contact Senator Mark Kelly, please go here.
- To contact Senator Ruben Gallego, please go here.
| | |
There are less than 10 spots remaining to participate in Glendale University, a free program sponsored by Arizona State University that offers a behind the scenes look at how city government works. With 10 weeks of sessions on Wednesday evenings (March 4 - May 6), attendees learn the inner workings of a variety of city services. Glendale residents ages 18+ and business owners whose businesses reside in the city are eligible to register now. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity.
The city of Glendale offices, recreation and community services, and city libraries will be closed this coming Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but many other services will still be available. Residential garbage and recycling collection will take place as usual. Bus services in Glendale will operate on a regular schedule. GUS 1 bus service will operate on a regular schedule, but there will be no GUS routes 2 and 3 running that day. Paratransit and ADA services will not be impacted by the holiday. Please visit the city web site for full details on schedule changes. There is also information further down in this newsletter about a citrus donation drop off program taking place tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 17 as a way to give back as part of the MLK Day of Service in Glendale.
| | |
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
623-930-2247
LTolmachoff@GlendaleAZ.com
| | CHOLLA DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS | | |
District Board Vacancies: Municipal Property Corporation & Commission on Diverse Cultures
We need a Cholla District resident to volunteer to serve on the Municipal Property Corporation and another resident volunteer to serve on the Commission on Diverse Cultures with the City. The Municipal Property Corporation meets on an as-needed basis. The Commission on Diverse Cultures meets at 6 PM on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit the web site, contact the City Clerk's office at (623) 930-2252, and apply online.
| | |
Intro to Birding at Foothills Library: Jan. 17, 9 AM - 11 AM
First, participate in a workshop where you'll learn about birds, birding, and birding resources. Then, take a walk outdoors and put your new knowledge to work as we tour around the library and through the park along Skunk Creek. Presented by Sonoran Audubon Society. Please note this program begins one hour before the library opens. Click here for more information.
| |
Arts & Crafts Supply Swap at Foothills Library: Jan. 25, 2 PM - 4 PM
Crafters, teachers, and art lovers, join us for this sustainable way to refresh your craft stash without spending a dime! Crafters who donate supplies to the swap can start "shopping" at 2 PM. At 3 PM, anyone can come and shop the swap, even if they don't have items to donate. Please bring usable craft supplies and tools that are not dried up, broken, stained, or odorous. Participants can drop off their craft supply donations starting one week before the event or bring them on the day of the event. Leftover supplies at the end of the swap will be donated to the library or the local Art Resource Center. Click here for more information.
| | ROAD CONSTRUCTION & TRAFFIC ALERTS | | |
Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center Park-and-Ride Structure Construction
Construction on the park-and-ride parking structure in the west half of the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center parking lot is on track to be completed by Jan. 30, 2026. Thank you for your patience during this work.
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 Restrictions & Closures:
ADOT is adding a third left turn lane on southbound 75th Avenue to enter eastbound Loop 101, which will add capacity and improve traffic at the interchange. Work is scheduled to begin 11:30 PM, Sunday, Jan. 25, and will remain through mid-April:
- 75th Avenue will be narrowed to one lane in each direction between Loop 101 and Rose Garden Lane to allow for median work to take place.
- Lane restrictions will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Work is expected to be concluded in mid-April.
- Some left turns will be restricted in this area, and sidewalks may be closed intermittently.
- Drivers may consider using Deer Valley Road to travel south on 67th or 83rd Avenues.
Long Term Ramp Closures:
- The eastbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 75th Avenue is closed for approximately 60 days from Jan. 5.
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider using the frontage road (Beardsley) or Union Hills Drive to 59th Avenue to access eastbound Loop 101.
- The eastbound Loop 101 off ramp at 67th Avenue will close for approximately 60 days beginning 11:30 PM Monday, Jan. 12.
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider exiting at 75th Avenue and taking the frontage road (Beardsley) to 67th Avenue or exiting at 59th Avenue.
- The eastbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 51st will close for approximately 60 days beginning 11:30 PM Monday, Jan. 19.
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider using the eastbound frontage road to access Loop 101 at 35th Avenue or using eastbound on-ramp at 59th Avenue.
- The eastbound Loop 101 off-ramp at 35th Avenue will close for approximately 60 days beginning 11:30 PM Monday, Jan. 26.
- DETOUR: Drivers may consider exiting at 51st or 27th Avenues.
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.
Drivers should use caution and be prepared to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through any work zones.
| | CITYWIDE HIGHLIGHTS & CALENDAR | | |
January 17, 2026 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Citrus Collection
Throughout his life, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for peace, unity, and service. He was committed to creating positive change in his community, and so are the many volunteers here in Glendale. The MLK Day of Service is an annual tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. King, and an opportunity to give back by donating vitamin-rich citrus to families in need. Be a part of the change and help make a difference today! The Glendale Community Services Department will host two drop-off locations for residents to donate excess citrus harvested from their own properties to be provided to the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.
Please bring your freshly picked citrus (all varieties) to one of the following locations on Saturday, January 17, 2026, between 9am and 12pm. We will have volunteers ready to accept your donations.
For more information, please visit the web site.
| | | | |
