Welcome to the first-ever This Week in AJ — a quick roundup of what’s happening around town. Every week, same deal: the decisions, the construction, the openings, and what’s coming up. Let’s get into it.
The Flock camera ordinance passed — 7-0
You probably heard about this one. Back in April, an AJ officer got caught using the city’s Flock license-plate cameras to track his wife — he resigned before the city could fire him. That kicked off months of debate, and on Tuesday night (Oct. 6) the council voted 7-0 to make misusing the system a crime.
The details: personal misuse of the Flock cameras (plus drones, body cams, and the crime center) is now a Class 1 misdemeanor — up to 180 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. Employees who misuse it also lose their jobs. Only chief-designated staff can run searches, each one needs a case number and a supervisor’s sign-off, and the data gets purged after 30 days. Monthly audits, annual privacy training.
Thirteen people spoke at the hearing — most showed up wearing green, and most were opposed or wanted stronger safeguards like a warrant requirement. Those didn’t make it in. Fifteen cameras have been damaged recently and fewer than 30 are still standing. This one’s not going away.
(Sources: Fox 10 Phoenix , AZCentral )
Idaho Road could become the city’s problem
Big one for commuters. At a work session last month, at least four of seven council members said they’re in favor of the city taking over Idaho Road (SR 88) from ADOT — the whole stretch from US 60 up to the northern city limits. That means the city would control five traffic signals and the roundabout.
The catch: maintenance would run $700K to $1 million a year, and fixing up the downtown leg alone is estimated at $9.1 million. No vote yet — the agreements are expected back in a couple of months. If you drive Idaho Road daily, this one’s worth watching.
146 apartments approved across from the Rusty Buckle
The council unanimously approved the Banyan Apartments back on Sept. 15 — 146 units of workforce housing built with low-income housing tax credits, on the southeast corner of Virginia St and Rennick Dr. That’s directly across from the Rusty Buckle Saloon, which tells you everything about the growth-vs-character debate in this town right now.
The details: 30-year rent restrictions at or below 60% of area median income. The developer agreed to the full 317 parking spaces the code requires, plus family and dog parks, after planning and zoning recommended denial back in June.
Don’t confuse it with Bella Norte — that’s a separate 210-unit market-rate project proposed for Idaho Rd and Junction St. Its permit was on the Oct. 6 agenda; we’re still waiting on the outcome.
Dirt moving around town
A few projects worth knowing about:
- Sundt Construction’s manufacturing facility at Tomahawk Rd and US 60 is underway — 65,000 square feet, about 100 jobs in phase one, expected done early 2027. That’s the largest industrial building AJ’s ever seen.
- The city services campus at Ironwood and Horton (police substation, branch library, public park) starts preconstruction this month. Finish line: mid-2029.
- Great Hearts Blossom Rock charter school is going up at Ironwood and Ray. Opens fall 2027, starting K-5 and growing to K-8.
- 47.1 acres sold at Idaho Road, Old West Highway, and Apache Trail this past week. No word yet on what’s planned, but that’s a big chunk of dirt changing hands — we’ll be watching.
Heads up: US 60 east of Superior
Good news: ADOT canceled the planned full daytime closures — none are currently scheduled. This week it’s just single-lane alternating traffic near Miami, 6am to 6pm Monday through Thursday, until noon Friday. Still, check az511 before you head east
— they can announce new closures anytime.
New FEMA flood maps could mean higher insurance bills
More than 1,500 Apache Junction parcels were just added to the high-risk flood designation on FEMA’s updated maps. If your property’s on the list, flood insurance could get pricier — the city held a public meeting and mailed letters to affected owners this week. Worth checking whether your place made the map.
Two horses, no owners (yet)
Apache Junction police found two horses wandering near Starr Road and Broadway early Sunday morning. They’re safe and being cared for while the department looks for whoever they belong to. If you know anything, call AJPD at 480-982-8260 — and bring proof of ownership.
New eats
Spud Happens is over at 1985 W. Apache Trail — loaded baked potatoes, fries, wings, the works. They’ve been open since May and the menu keeps growing. If you’ve been, tell us how it was.
Coming up
- Next city council meeting — Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7pm at City Hall. Public hearing on development fee updates is expected.
- Halloween Festival — Saturday, Oct. 24, 4–8pm at Superstition Shadows Park. Free. Trunk-or-treat, costume contests (including one for the dogs), pumpkin carving, live band. Good stuff.
- Lost Dutchman Days committee meets Oct. 15 at 6:30pm, and the Rodeo Royalty fundraiser is Oct. 17 at the rodeo grounds. The big weekend itself — the 63rd annual — is Feb. 26–28. Mark it now; it sneaks up on you.
Got a question? Ask 411.
What’s being built on Idaho Road? What’s going up across from the Rusty Buckle? Are the Flock cameras staying or going? Send your questions in — if you’re wondering, half the town is too, and we’ll track down the answer.
See you next week.
— Frank
