Who really deserves credit for Sprouts coming to Fountain Hills?
OPINION — As a former resident and councilmember, and current property owner, I want to take a moment of your time to set the record straight. There seems to be some confusion about who should get credit for Sprouts.
It seems that the mayor wants you to think that this was his doing. Credit for the addition of Sprouts goes to (1) Amanda Jacobs, the town’s economic development director, (2) the property owners, Sandor Development, and (3) the four councilmembers* with the vision to pass the Sandor/Target rezoning request.
The conversation with Sprouts wouldn’t have been entertained without the approval of the Sandor/Target Center apartment rezoning. As a councilmember, Mayor Friedel was against this project and voted “no.”
During the proposal for the zoning change, Amanda’s presentation to council reminded us that the Economic Development Strategy, approved in 2024 unanimously by council, asked for the town to collaborate with the property owners to help this (at the time) dying strip mall. She spoke with business owners, as well as representatives from UA and ASU that mentioned the need for more types of housing to help attract talent. The Sandor/Target Center rezoning approval and her work with Sandor is what got them in the door with the Sprouts Real Estate executives.
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