By Jessica Boehm | Axios
Glendale had a chip on its shoulder for decades. It was older than the fancier new burbs taking shape in the East Valley, smaller than neighboring Phoenix and lacking the excitement of tourist destination Scottsdale.
Why it matters: That chip fueled impatience in city leaders, who took a series of big swings to create what they hoped would be the Valley’s sports and entertainment hub, elevating the city above its station.
- The evolution they sought took longer to materialize than many hoped, but their labor is bearing fruit.
The big picture: The Sports and Entertainment District, anchored by State Farm Stadium, Desert Diamond Arena and Westgate, now attracts about 15 million visitors annually, according to the city.
- The state’s largest resort (VAI) — a $1 billion investment that includes a theme park, concert amphitheater and three celebrity-chef restaurants — is under construction there.
- Over the past decade, other experiential attractions have popped up, including TopGolf, Chicken N Pickle and PopStroke, while higher-end dining options have landed at Westgate.
