West Phoenix
Encyclopedia
West Phoenix is a neighborhood of Phoenix, Arizona
, United States
. Maryvale is
the predominant neighborhood of the near west side, from about 35th Avenue west to 83rd Avenue and from I-10 north to the boundary with the suburb of Glendale at Camelback Road. First developed in the 1950s and 1960s by developer John F. Long, these neighborhoods include inexpensive homes largely developed in the 1950s and 1960s.
Like many older inner-ring suburbs in the United States, the Maryvale district is suffering urban decline as the belt of growth has passed by, moving ever outward. Shopping in this area is provided by the Desert Sky Mall
and Maryvale Mall
, both of which are suffering from lack of tenants. (Maryvale Mall
is now a middle school.) Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion, the city's most prominent outdoor concert venue, is located on the West Side. Because of the lower housing costs, Maryvale has attracted large numbers of families and immigrants from all over the world, notably from Mexico
and other Latin America
n countries.
Since the 1980s, violent crime and gang
activity have plagued the Maryvale community. As with other maligned sections of Phoenix, gangs took advantage of the area's open-air apartment complexes to set up enclosed drug markets that became extremely dangerous and difficult for police to monitor. Focused efforts made by the Phoenix Police Department
to lower the Maryvale crime rate—which had surpassed that of South Phoenix
—have been successful. The crime rate has been significantly reduced to record levels. Phoenix police leaders and city officials have lauded the Maryvale Precinct's employment of concentrated community-based policing to thwart everything from property crimes to violent crimes. Liaison officers direct special details focused on robbery, auto theft, burglary, prostitution, drugs, and gang violence. In 2008, the Maryvale violent-crime rate dropped more than 5 percent, police say. Property crime dropped 9.5 percent in the area between Camelback and Baseline roads, from 27th Avenue to the western city limits. The shift in police philosophy included embedding Phoenix Gang Unit officers in the precinct, placing more sophisticated resources regularly in what one crime analysis described as "an area saturated with gang members."
The growing west side of Phoenix continues to spread outward. Newer suburbs west of the city limits are springing up, including Avondale
, Goodyear
and Buckeye
. Further north, suburbs like Surprise
, Peoria
, El Mirage
and the western end of Glendale
are experiencing commercial and residential development.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Maryvale is
the predominant neighborhood of the near west side, from about 35th Avenue west to 83rd Avenue and from I-10 north to the boundary with the suburb of Glendale at Camelback Road. First developed in the 1950s and 1960s by developer John F. Long, these neighborhoods include inexpensive homes largely developed in the 1950s and 1960s.
Like many older inner-ring suburbs in the United States, the Maryvale district is suffering urban decline as the belt of growth has passed by, moving ever outward. Shopping in this area is provided by the Desert Sky Mall
Desert Sky Mall
Desert Sky Mall is a large regional shopping mall in west Phoenix, Arizona. It is located on 75th Avenue and Thomas Road. The mall was developed and is managed by Westcor. It is anchored by Sears, Dillard's, La Curacao, Burlington Coat Factory and Cinema Latino. The Desert Sky Mall opened in the...
and Maryvale Mall
Maryvale Mall
Maryvale Mall was the second shopping mall in Phoenix, Arizona, before being redeveloped, it was located on 51st Avenue and Indian School Road. Today it exists partially as a Middle School, Elementary School and Police Station...
, both of which are suffering from lack of tenants. (Maryvale Mall
Maryvale Mall
Maryvale Mall was the second shopping mall in Phoenix, Arizona, before being redeveloped, it was located on 51st Avenue and Indian School Road. Today it exists partially as a Middle School, Elementary School and Police Station...
is now a middle school.) Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion, the city's most prominent outdoor concert venue, is located on the West Side. Because of the lower housing costs, Maryvale has attracted large numbers of families and immigrants from all over the world, notably from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and other Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
n countries.
Since the 1980s, violent crime and gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
activity have plagued the Maryvale community. As with other maligned sections of Phoenix, gangs took advantage of the area's open-air apartment complexes to set up enclosed drug markets that became extremely dangerous and difficult for police to monitor. Focused efforts made by the Phoenix Police Department
Phoenix Police Department
The Phoenix Police Department is the law enforcement agency responsible for the city of Phoenix, Arizona.Today, the Phoenix Police Department comprises more than 3,500 officers and 700 support personnel who protect a population of more than 1.6 million and patrol almost of the sixth largest city...
to lower the Maryvale crime rate—which had surpassed that of South Phoenix
South Phoenix
South Phoenix, also known as the South Mountain Village, South Mountain District or SoMo, is a neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona. It has the boundaries of 27th Avenue to the west, 48th Sreet to the east, the Salt River to the north and South Mountain Park to the south...
—have been successful. The crime rate has been significantly reduced to record levels. Phoenix police leaders and city officials have lauded the Maryvale Precinct's employment of concentrated community-based policing to thwart everything from property crimes to violent crimes. Liaison officers direct special details focused on robbery, auto theft, burglary, prostitution, drugs, and gang violence. In 2008, the Maryvale violent-crime rate dropped more than 5 percent, police say. Property crime dropped 9.5 percent in the area between Camelback and Baseline roads, from 27th Avenue to the western city limits. The shift in police philosophy included embedding Phoenix Gang Unit officers in the precinct, placing more sophisticated resources regularly in what one crime analysis described as "an area saturated with gang members."
The growing west side of Phoenix continues to spread outward. Newer suburbs west of the city limits are springing up, including Avondale
Avondale, Arizona
Avondale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, adjacent to Phoenix, Arizona. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 76,238.Avondale is the home of Phoenix International Raceway, an auto racing facility...
, Goodyear
Goodyear, Arizona
Goodyear is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 65,275...
and Buckeye
Buckeye, Arizona
Buckeye is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States and is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The population of the town as of Census 2010 was 50,876, a 678% increase from the 2000 population of 6,537.-Geography:...
. Further north, suburbs like Surprise
Surprise, Arizona
Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. The population was 30,848 at the 2000 census; however, rapid growth has boosted the city's population to 117,517 at the 2010 census, an increase of 281%...
, Peoria
Peoria, Arizona
Peoria is a city in Maricopa and Yavapai counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. Located primarily in Maricopa County, it is a major suburb of Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau releases, the population of the city is 154,065. Peoria is currently the sixth largest city in Arizona for land...
, El Mirage
El Mirage, Arizona
El Mirage is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to Census 2010, the population of the city is 31,767.-Geography:El Mirage is located at ....
and the western end of Glendale
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
are experiencing commercial and residential development.
Notable residents
- Steven M. BermanSteven M. BermanSteven M. Berman is a past mayor of the Town of Gilbert, Arizona. Mayor Berman is an Arizona native and has lived in Gilbert since 1981. He is a former captain in the United States Army and holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. He owns a business that sells cell phones and...
, former Mayor of Gilbert, ArizonaGilbert, Arizona-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household.... - Henry CejudoHenry CejudoHenry Cejudo is a freestyle wrestler, Olympic gold medalist, and author. Cejudo became an Olympic gold medalist at just 21 years old, the youngest American wrestler to win a gold medal....
, wrestler; Won gold medal at 2008 Beijing Olympics - Sandra Day O'ConnorSandra Day O'ConnorSandra Day O'Connor is an American jurist who was the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. She served as an Associate Justice from 1981 until her retirement from the Court in 2006. O'Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981...
, first female justice of the Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the United StatesThe Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases... - CeCe PenistonCeCe PenistonCeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S...
, R&B singer - Phillippi SparksPhillippi SparksPhillippi Dwain Sparks is a former American football player in the National Football League.Sparks graduated from Maryvale High School in Phoenix, Arizona in 1987. He then attended and played football for...
, NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player - Darren WoodsonDarren WoodsonDarren Ray Woodson is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He played his entire career for the Dallas Cowboys from 1992 to 2004...
, NFL player