Arizona cities, tribes sign on to spur development of Rio Salado

PHOENIX — A campaign headed by Sen. John McCain of Arizona to revitalize the Rio Salado took another step forward with city and tribal leaders signing a statement to intent for further development.

“We are excited about the next chapter of the Rio Salado and working closely with more partners to foster greater economic development and recreation opportunities for our community,” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said in a statement late last week.

Federal, state, county and tribal representatives put their names to the 45-mile long Rio Salado Reimagined project. That stretch runs through Avondale, Buckeye, Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

“I am grateful to Senator McCain for bringing our communities together and making this a higher federal priority so we can build on the progress we have made over the years,” Stanton said.

Phoenix has already been actively working to rejuvenate the river area, with the Tres Rios Wetlands and

Former U.S. Rep Ed Pastor had made the task a priority during his tenure in the House.

“This is a game changer,” Cindy McCain, the senator’s wife, said in a Facebook Live post at the March 30 launch in Tempe.

The launch was hosted by the McCains and Arizona State University.

“We can leave this place better than we found it,” Cindy McCain said.

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