During last week’s Winslow City Council meeting, Winslow Economic Director Jack Fitchett reported on his recent trip to Washington, D.C., accompanied by Mayor Birdie Cano and council members Darcy McKee and Daniel Tafoya. The delegation addressed a pending allocation of $4.2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) related to the Lindberg Parkway development. The project aims to create a bypass connecting Interstate 40 and State Highway 87, allowing truck traffic to circumvent Winslow.
Although funding was expected in January, it has yet to arrive. Fitchett stated, “One piece of good news related to that is we did have some productive conversations with our senators and representatives. I will say Representative (Eli) Crane said that if we do not see something by April 30, he will call DOT himself.” Fitchett remains confident the funding will eventually be appropriated, noting rural infrastructure remains a priority despite federal budget cuts.
Additionally, during the D.C. trip, Fitchett spoke with numerous firms specializing in assisting Fortune 500 companies with relocation and real estate investment. Of the 60 firms present, he engaged with 45, approximately a quarter of whom indicated interest in Winslow as a potential location for corporate development. Fifteen firms specifically requested more information about Winslow, which Fitchett described as significant since many firms do not typically focus on the Southwest.
Fitchett also mentioned that a two-acre city-owned plot of land will soon be opened for bids for housing development. He reported speaking to several interested developers and anticipates multiple bids. Similarly, property near the airport will be put up for bid, aiming to attract further development.
Fitchett noted the possibility of interest in the former Bashas’ building near McDonald’s, although no commitments have been finalized.
Fitchett discussed grants recently awarded by the city to five local businesses to assist with expanding their operations. The recipients include 3C’s Auto Body, Cajian Creations, Dare to Be Different, Supa Clean and Winslow, AZ Coffee Roasting Co. A total of $30,000 was awarded, distributed according to application scores with the funds coming from the economic development department. Fitchett expressed interest in doubling this amount and initiating another round of grants around September.
The city council also revisited a previous property split near McDonald’s and Mojo’s Café, where a Circle K truck stop is currently under development. Although the council approved a lot split on November 12, 2024, an error prevented its official recording. The council reconfirmed and finalized the split at the meeting. The parcel will now be divided into four sections, creating two new properties for development, an extension of Desmond Street to provide access, and dedicating an existing private ingress/egress and utility easement as a city-owned right-of-way for Desmond Street.
Kristi Armijo, president of the Winslow Rotary Club surprised City Manager David Coolidge with an award. Armijo explained, “Recently, our club has been talking about an award called the Rotary Vocational Service Award. This award is to recognize people with high ethical standards in their work and in the community, as well as community service.” The Rotary Club decided to rename this award the Rotary Citizen of the Year Award. “There were several nominations and a vote, which resulted in David Coolidge receiving the award,” Armijo said.
Later in the meeting, the city donated $500, four annual passes to McHood Park and two swim passes to the city pool, all of which will be auctioned by the Rotary to raise funds for scholarships.
Armijo also discussed several ongoing projects in the community including a monthly food distribution at the Methodist Church on the fourth Thursday of each month. Armijo noted, “We feed anywhere between 140 to 260 families each month.”
Another initiative mentioned was the backpack program. Armijo said the Rotary Club had observed that despite schools providing free lunches, some students were not receiving adequate nutrition during weekends. “We work with the school district to identify those students who are lacking nutrition, and we send them home with food for a family of four,” she explained. The program aims to boost school performance by ensuring proper nutrition.
In other business, the council:
* Approved the following proclamations: April 5-11, Week of the Young Child; Month of April, Fair Housing Month and the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness month.
* Approved a donation to the Because We Care Committee for $500.
* Approved an agreement with Little League for free use of city owned baseball fields.
*Approved a repeal of a city ordinance about diversity equity and inclusion.
* Approved a lot split of the parcel located at 1600 N. Park Drive.
* Approved a loan from the Greater Arizona Development Authority for $100,000 for planning, engineering and design of the Apache Wastewater Main.
* Approved acquisition of three parcels located near Kinsley Avenue and West First Street.
* Authorized the sale of a parcel located at 110 W. First St. to Dixon Oates at a cost of $30,000.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, in the meeting room located at 523 West Second St.
