KINGMAN — Funding for key infrastructure projects was an important topic drawing discussion during the City Council’s Jan. 13 review of Kingman’s strategic plan.
“I would like to see specifically phase 2 of the Industrial Park/Flying Fortress and the Kingman Crossing directly named as our priority projects,” said Council member Jamie Stehly.
Phase 2 involves extending the road that will connect the Flying Fortress Interstate 40 traffic interchange all the way to the Kingman Airport. Former state representative Regina Cobb secured a $20-million contribution from former Gov. Doug Ducey, less than half the cost of constructing the interchange.
Stehly said the city is pivoting from a prior partnership with the local hospital to explore new ways to breathe life into the Kingman Crossing, another Interstate 40 traffic interchange concept coveted for its economic development and retail potential.
Stehly said Kingman must seek funding from any viable source, including the Arizona legislature.
“I want people to be so sick and tired of hearing us talk about the Industrial Park and the Kingman Crossing that they’ll just give us the money to shut us up,” Stehly said.
Dorn suggested legislation requesting appropriation.
“Do we want to introduce a bill?” Dorn queried.
“I say we do,” answered Vice Mayor Cherish Sammeli.
Dorn said bills, even one’s that are not passed, can make a strong statement.
Stehly said the City can justify an appropriation request.
“Both of those projects would increase revenue to not only our city and county, but to the state as well,” she said. “I’d like to see how we could get people excited, the Governor, our representatives, about these projects and how they could help everybody.
City Manager Tim Walsh told council members the city does not have the $15–20-million to construct initial roads from the Flying Fortress TI to Airway Avenue. He said the plan is to use bond financing to fund that work.
Walsh said the city will seek grants and state and federal funding to help with another $20 million needed to fund the extension of the road all the way to the Kingman Airport. “Short of that, one possibility would be a sales tax increase,” Walsh said.
Stehly said it’s important to shorten any delay between the opening of the Flying Fortress TI and full extension of the road to the Airport. She said much of the entire project was predicated upon the commerce and public safety gains associated with a new primary access to the airport.
Stehle said not getting all the way to the airport without significate delay would be “a complete fail.”
