The City of Glendale is undertaking its first comprehensive Airport Master Plan Update since 2009. (There was an ALP Update with Narrative in 2015.) The City, as well as the entire Valley of the Sun, has experienced enormous growth and change since the last plan was completed. This growth will continue, and it is critical to accurately forecast the future needs of the airport. The Airport is in a district called The New Frontier. The New Frontier District is Glendale’s emergent area for development providing new industrial, office, and retail opportunities for Glendale and the entire West Valley. This district is over 23-square miles and is easily accessible for businesses and residents as it is served by the Loop 303, which connects to the I-10 to the south and runs north to the US 60. Glendale has five miles of double-sided frontage along the freeway for development. Northern Parkway provides additional connectivity in the area giving vehicles easy east/west access in the area. Future expansions of the Parkway will connect it to Loop 101 and the Sports and Entertainment District. This district has more than 5.5 miles of rail served property through the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Coupled with the large land sites available for development, this district provides an opportunity for manufacturing and logistics companies looking to establish a presence in the Valley of the Sun. Some key assets of the district include Loop 303, Luke Air Force Base, Northern Parkway, available land, BNSF rail-service, Woolf Logistics Center, and a proactive Annexation Policy. Glendale is focused on smart growth and The New Frontier District provides the prime opportunity for the city to strategically attract new employers that provide increased employment opportunities and businesses that have a positive economic impact on Glendale. Because of the proximity to Luke Air Force Base and the Loop 303, property within this district is prime for manufacturers and ancillary uses that support the military base. Frontage along the Loop 303 also offers additional commercial opportunities for potential retail development and e-commerce end users that will support growth of the city’s revenue base. Also, a significant focus for this district is the available rail-served property that is highly sought-after and attractive to industrial users. The Glendale Regional Airport must be a key economic driver of the District and the City as a whole. The Airport Master Plan should seek to maximize aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue through identification of land use opportunities and constraints. This includes documentation and assessment of vacant land, underused parcels, and existing aeronautical and non-aeronautical buildings. The provision of vital airport services should be prioritized.
