Rancho development deal done

KINGMAN – A development agreement for construction of the Rancho Santa Fe Interstate 40 traffic interchange, a parkway arterial, connector roadways and infrastructure was approved with some fanfare at Tuesday’s Kingman City Council meeting. Vice Mayor Travis Lingenfelter said the interchange first made the city’s capital project list 49 years ago.

“This is a really big deal that this is approved and this goes forward tonight. I think we turn a new page and get into a new chapter of Kingman’s success on the east bench,” Lingenfelter said. “It’s going to propel this community as far as industry and jobs and commercial activity, retail activity, industrial residential–all of it—over the next 40 or 50 years.”

Equal enthusiasm was expressed by others, including council member Jamie Scott Stehly.

“This is a great day. It’s been a wild ride with a lot of ups and downs, but it’s actually been a lesson in tenacity,” Stehly said. “I just want to thank everybody for hanging in there and for believing in our city and for working so hard to bring about this change that will increase our prosperity in the future.”

Dist. 5 state representative and House Appropriations Chairman Regina Cobb was thanked and credited for securing $20 million in state funding. The city of Kingman and project partner Sunbelt Development will split the remainder of the project cost.

“Together, I think we’ve come up with an agreement that I think works for the betterment of this community,” Foggin said.

Sunbelt principal Bill Lenhart called it fitting that the development agreement gets approved during the final meeting of the current council, from which Lingenfelter and council member David Wayt exit as their terms expire.

“I want to recognize this council for all that they’ve done, not just on our project, but looking back at the accomplishments that came with this council and this staff is impressive,” Lenhart said.

Dave Hawkins