By YourValley
Candidates for the Surprise City Council answer questions each week leading up to the Aug. 2 primary election. There are three candidates in District 1 and two incumbents running unopposed in Districts 5 and 6.
THIS WEEK: How do you feel about the development in City Center?
DISTRICT 1
Raymond Grim
The development of City Center has been a slow go. Unfortunately, it got bogged down when our last mayor made the decision to try and take the land from the developer. That caused a long, costly, drawn-out court battle that hindered growth and soured the relationship between the city and the developers.
Now, progress seems to be back on track. I would love to see the city use some of our reclaimed water to make a river walk area in the City Center. This will be the catalyst for a destination in our city. Restaurants and entertainment opportunities will develop around such an attraction.
I would also like to take a small corner of the area to make an incubator for restaurant owners. We have so many creative restaurant entrepreneurs in Surprise but, there is not really a feasible way for them to start a small restaurant without a lot of capital. Set this up so it’s like a food court area with shaded outdoor seating.
Have short term leases for these entrepreneurs. Have a stage area so local artists can come and perform. For those restaurants that develop a great clientele, this will help fund them to get a permanent location in the future City Center area. This will also develop a unique culinary experience for our city. We could call it Surprisingly Tasty.
