Goodyear approves accelerated construction schedule for Microsoft

PHOENIX — Goodyear City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve an accelerated construction schedule for a Microsoft project.

The developer agreement will allow the tech company to begin construction on the 279 acres it recently purchased in the city before completing some of the usual requirements.

“This is a big win for Goodyear. It’s clear that our city is attracting some major names in the tech world with other technology companies are now following Microsoft’s lead,” Mayor Georgia Lord said in a statement to KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“The growth of Goodyear’s tech corridor will bring more jobs and revenue to the city. This is just the beginning.”

Microsoft will be able to begin construction on two buildings without obtaining certain approvals from the city, as long as it agrees to make changes if environmental studies or building codes would require them.

“The property owner is extremely sophisticated in terms of the construction of its facilities and has the financial resources available to it to handle such additional costs should they occur and is thus willing to undertake such risks,” a Council report stated.

Multiple councilmembers said before the vote that they hoped the city could use this self-certification process more often following the Microsoft project.

The company purchased the plot near Phoenix Goodyear Airport and State Route 85 in fall 2018 for $48 million.

The developer agreement does not address what the building will used for or if it will create any jobs.