The Winslow City Council heard a presentation from developer and investor Sam Maytas who plans to develop 1,100 acres between Airport Road and the Winslow Prison Complex on SR-87 south of Winslow.
He said, “The biggest, most immediate need for Winslow is housing. You’re going to have businesses that want to come in and they are going to need a workforce and a place for that workforce to live. The problem is a lack of new housing. What we are proposing is new apartments on the 187 acres right out of the tunnel going south. Initially, we are looking at building about 200 apartments.”
He continued to talk about building affordable yet attractive housing and a potential partnership with Impresa, a modular home builder with plans to locate in Winslow.
“Phase I,” continued Maytas, “will also need a new convenience store with gas, perhaps a hardware store, some shops. We plan to bring in not only apartments but retail and commercial spaces as well.”
The project was presented with no action required by and is slated to begin within the calendar year.
Cano expressed her excitement for the momentum Winslow currently has both in the downtown area and in new development and projects such as this one.
The council also heard a status update from City Manager John Barkley in which he mentioned the $65 million in funding for the Winslow levee project recently awarded by the federal government.
“This is a huge step for us as a community and will help projects like the one Mr. Maytas has in mind get off the ground. Of course, it will be a while before the levee is finished but we can expect the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the design work in about a year.”
Mayor Roberta Cano made a proclamation in honor of the Clear Creek Cowboy Association’s inaugural Pony Express ride last week.
The proclamation recognized the dedication of the riders to the preservation and celebration of the, “Memory of the days of the pioneers who carved our history and heritage.”
The Clear Creek Cowboys Association made their debut ride to carry mail from Winslow to Holbrook on Saturday, Jan. 29.
In other business, the council:
* Reappointed Mary Ann Smith to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement Board until Jan. 31, 2026.
* Approved the purchase of two service trucks for the public works department from Peoria Ford in the amount of $111,387.
* Adopted a resolution designating the election dates of Aug. 2 for the primary election and Nov. 8 for the general election for the purpose of electing the office of mayor and three councilmembers. Councilmembers Samantha Crisp, Robin Boyd and Rickey Jackson are at the end of their terms.
* Adopted a resolution amending the personnel policies and procedures and creating policy recognizing the City’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The resolution read, “The City of Winslow acknowledges that it values and respects the diversity of all community members, businesses, community and faith-based organizations, employees and leaders.
* Adopted a resolution amending the Winslow Municipal Code. The amendment prohibits the use, discharge or ignition of fireworks within the city on all public property. The amendment is effective immediately. Any person found in violation of the ordinance shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
* Approved a request for $3,000 from the Winslow Rotary Club to help support ongoing community services including food distribution, back packs and scholarship programs.
* Heard a quarterly update from City Librarian Brandee Leary. She reminded the council to visit the library and to take advantage of programs offered. For example, the county has granted funds to the Winslow Library to host a “dial a story,” a program where children and adults can call 928-585-0044 to hear a short story.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
