The Arizona Republic
Jul. 22, 2006 12:00 AM
Everything is going up in Avondale: home prices, job growth and even the temperature.
At least that is the latest appraisal of the city from Money magazine.
The financial publication in its latest issue ranks Avondale third in percentage job growth and second in home-price appreciation among U.S. cities.
The magazine even awarded the dubious "hottest city" honor to Avondale, which ties with Glendale, Peoria and Surprise at 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avondale saw a 54.3 percent jump in job opportunities within the city from 2000 to 2005, according to Money.
"Everything that we have been working towards has come to fruition," Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers said. "Things are looking up."
Some of the biggest job generators in recent years include new commercial developments and the addition of Universal Technical Institute.When UTI landed in Avondale in 2004, it brought hundreds of new jobs to the city.
City officials expect even more jobs will come on line once Avondale Boulevard fills out with hotels and offices. The city plans to turn the thoroughfare into a white-collar employment corridor and regional destination. Rogers said the city is still focused on job growth, but wants residents who can live and work in Avondale for higher wages.
"We want people to have a saving wage, not just a living wage," Rogers said.
In the past five years, concrete and red roofs have buried most of the region's rural roots to accommodate the wave of newcomers. Mid-decade census figures show Avondale's population has more than doubled since 2000, from 35,800 residents to 69,300.
Vice Mayor Chuck Wolf said the nod from Money indicates Avondale has become a bigger dot on the map. When Wolf moved to the city in 2000, some of his coworkers weren't quite sure where Avondale was.
"It's an affirmation of all the good work that has been put in by city staff and residents of the city who support our vision," Wolf said.
Providence, R.I., was the only city to top Avondale in home price appreciation. The magazine reports home values in the Southwest Valley community have gone up 43.2 percent from 2000 to 2005.
That's good and bad, Wolf said. High home prices mean Avondale is becoming an increasingly desirable place to live, but that also edges out first-time home buyers who want to live here.
At least that is the latest appraisal of the city from Money magazine.
The financial publication in its latest issue ranks Avondale third in percentage job growth and second in home-price appreciation among U.S. cities.
The magazine even awarded the dubious "hottest city" honor to Avondale, which ties with Glendale, Peoria and Surprise at 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avondale saw a 54.3 percent jump in job opportunities within the city from 2000 to 2005, according to Money.
"Everything that we have been working towards has come to fruition," Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers said. "Things are looking up."
Some of the biggest job generators in recent years include new commercial developments and the addition of Universal Technical Institute.When UTI landed in Avondale in 2004, it brought hundreds of new jobs to the city.
City officials expect even more jobs will come on line once Avondale Boulevard fills out with hotels and offices. The city plans to turn the thoroughfare into a white-collar employment corridor and regional destination. Rogers said the city is still focused on job growth, but wants residents who can live and work in Avondale for higher wages.
"We want people to have a saving wage, not just a living wage," Rogers said.
In the past five years, concrete and red roofs have buried most of the region's rural roots to accommodate the wave of newcomers. Mid-decade census figures show Avondale's population has more than doubled since 2000, from 35,800 residents to 69,300.
Vice Mayor Chuck Wolf said the nod from Money indicates Avondale has become a bigger dot on the map. When Wolf moved to the city in 2000, some of his coworkers weren't quite sure where Avondale was.
"It's an affirmation of all the good work that has been put in by city staff and residents of the city who support our vision," Wolf said.
Providence, R.I., was the only city to top Avondale in home price appreciation. The magazine reports home values in the Southwest Valley community have gone up 43.2 percent from 2000 to 2005.
That's good and bad, Wolf said. High home prices mean Avondale is becoming an increasingly desirable place to live, but that also edges out first-time home buyers who want to live here.
