The City of Surprise is making a major investment into the vitality and well-being of the West Valley with plans to build a multigenerational community resource center in partnership with Maricopa County.
On April 5, the Surprise City Council voted to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Maricopa County for the $26 million building project. On April 6, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted to also approve the IGA, dedicating $18 million of their federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding toward the project. The City is committing $8 million from a combination of City APRA funds and General Fund dollars.
This partnership will create an estimated 38-thousand square-foot center on City-owned land in Surprise’s historic Original Town Site. The new campus will improve resources for families, seniors, youth and vulnerable populations by centralizing and expanding programs and services from several aging city buildings, including the Surprise Resource Center, Hollyhock Library and Surprise Senior Center.
“This is an amazing project that will truly serve the well-being of our local community in new and expanded ways,” said Surprise Mayor Skip Hall. “Currently, we are turning away program and partner opportunities due to our lack of space. This opportunity is the perfect solution.”
"We know that as the West Valley grows, we need to expand the resources available to families," said Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman, who represents Surprise and the rest of District 4. "This multigenerational community center ensures no resident is left behind by addressing the needs of youth, adults and seniors in one convenient location. I appreciate the partnership that brought this to fruition."
The new community resource center will expand vital community programs that serve Surprise, the Sun Cities, El Mirage, Youngtown and unincorporated Maricopa County. It will allow the County and City to expand health and wellness, workforce development, and housing and homelessness benefit assistance; while also offering senior services, library services, Veteran services and after-school and summer youth programming.
The campus will be at the corner of Hollyhock Street and Santa Fe Drive. It is the perfect complement to the investment and growth already existing in the area, which includes a youth ballfield, recreation center and city pool, along with the Housing Authority of Maricopa County’s permanent supportive family housing development and planned affordable senior housing development.
The new campus will be built on shovel-ready land and should be completed by 2025.
Learn more at surpriseaz.gov/MCRC.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Amanda Steele
City of Surprise
amanda.steele@surpriseaz.gov
623.222.1432
Amy Bolton
Maricopa County Human Services
amy.bolton@maricopa.gov
602.679.4792
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About Maricopa County Human Services
As the fourth largest county in the nation home to some of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, Maricopa County’s population is large, growing and more diverse than ever. Maricopa County’s Human Services Department has five divisions that provide services and programs to people of all ages and abilities to promote their well-being. From offering early education to career training and employment services to case management for aging and disabled adults – the Human Services Department serves as a leader in the region to support strong families, neighborhoods, and community relationships. Learn more about the financial, educational, and support resources available to eligible Maricopa County residents at www.HSD.maricopa.gov.