Maricopa Voters Greenlight Prop 482, Unlocking Path for Massive Industrial Development

A smiling voter exits a polling station in the Villages at Rancho El Dorado on July 30, 2024.

Despite facing considerable opposition, a special ballot measure will likely pass, authorizing the City of Maricopa to sell land intended for a future industrial megasite. With 53% of precincts reporting this afternoon, InMaricopa projects the measure’s approval.

Proposition 482, which garnered the support of 57% of voters in yesterday’s election, permits the city to sell 728 acres of its property. The proceeds aim to boost local jobs and stimulate economic development.

A July 13 InMaricopa poll surveyed 304 random voters, within a five-point margin of error. In the poll, 62% expressed support for the land sale, aligning closely with current voting trends.

The land sale encompasses 328 acres from a $29.3 million industrial land purchase approved by the Maricopa City Council in April. This area is designated for the city’s future industrial park, known as the Industrial Triangle. Two waste processing companies have already shown interest, planning to invest about $1.9 billion into the project.

Additional projects tied to the passage of Prop 482 include various commercial and multifamily housing developments spread across the city.

However, more than 2,600 voters, or about 43%, opposed the land sale.

Andre Blakely, a resident of Province, argued last week that voters were “being gaslighted” and alleged the industrial park “will never be built.” Concerns about pollution and tangible job creation were echoed by other dissenters, who also feared that commercial parcels could be rezoned for residential use.

Monica is a business and development reporter for InMaricopa. Previously, she worked as a photographer for Mesa Community College’s student newspaper The Mesa Legend and interned with The Arizona Republic’s breaking news desk and visuals department. Reach her at [monica@inmaricopa.com](mailto:monica@inmaricopa.com) or on Twitter @monicadspencer.