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Get the latest information about what's happening in the Barrel District and the city of Glendale by visiting the Barrel District Network News page. You can also sign up to receive these newsletters via e-mail.

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Butler Park Re-Opening

Councilmember Knaack welcomed residents to Butler Park, located at 57th and Butler avenues, on July 1st when it re-opened after major renovations were completed.  Some of the newest improvements include a new, lighted basketball court;  contemporary playgrounds for both tots and older children with shade structures; new swing sets; ADA compliant safety surfacing; picnic nodes with concrete picnic tables; more turf, trees and an improved irrigation system; solar lighting and a new drinking fountain with a pet bowl feature. 

Boards and Commissions Vacancies

Boards and Commissions Vacancies

Barrel District Vacancies: None

At-large Current and Upcoming Vacancies:

•  Commission on Persons with Disabilities
•  Historic Preservation Commission

Glendale’s 18 boards and commissions assist the City Council in making important policy decisions that impact the community. These volunteer citizen advisory groups research, study and discuss specific Glendale projects and issues and then forward their recommendations to the City Council. Applicants must be city of Glendale residents. Click here for more information or to fill out an application online.

March 2010 Barrel Broadcast

The March 2010 Barrel Broadcast includes capital improvement projects, a park update and more.
Click here to download the newsletter.

Barrel Town Talk

Thanks to all who attended the Barrel Town Talk on March 24th. Check this page regularly for future district meetings.

Northern Avenue Storm Drain Project

Construction is continuing on a project to install storm drains along Northern Avenue from 47th to 63rd avenues.  Traffic is restricted (east and west) usually to one lane in each direction.  Some lateral lines are being installed which are designed to bring water from the side of the street into the storm drain pipe. To reduce the impact on traffic at 59th and Northern avenues, the contractor tunneled and installed the storm drain pipe under the intersection.  Crews recently completed the tunneling and will begin work on the east side of 59th Avenue in late February.  The entire project is expected to take about 13 months. Please click here to read the latest newsletter or call 1-877-203-0042 for the construction hotline.

National Register of Historic Places

Thunderbird Estates / McDonald Addition subdivision, located between Northern Ave. and Royal Palm Rd. from 57th Dr. to 59th Ave., is the first Barrel District neighborhood to become eligible to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination was considered by the State Historic Site Selection Committee in late January.  At that time the committee recommended to the State Historic Preservation Officer that the nomination be sent to the Keeper of the National Register. The Keeper makes the final determination to list or reject the nomination on the National Register.  48 properties were nominated as typifying the Ranch House of Post World War II.

Park Improvements

The picnic pavilion at Sahuaro Ranch Park was recently refurbished. New support beams and roof were constructed, additional lattice and lighting were added and a fresh coat of paint applied. Additionally, the picnic tables have been refinished. The rest of the park is scheduled for additional renovations with completion planned for 2010.

VIP Check Presentation

On May 26th Councilmember Knaack presented a Visual Improvement Program (VIP) check to Chris Ulrich, President and CEO of RSI Enterprises, Inc. for improvements made to his building at 5440 W. Northern. 

Glendale's VIP assists in the improvement of commercial and industrial properties by offering a rebate of up to 50 percent of any qualified improvement costs. These funds help support commercial and industrial property owners and long-term tenants who want to reinvest in and renovate their properties. The program is intended to improve the aesthetic nature of properties and to assist in bringing properties up to current building and property code standards. For more information about this program, including eligibility requirements, click here.

WeeVOS Playground Equipment

Councilmember Knaack recently attended the dedication of a new playground designed to keep kids fit while having fun.

The new playground, located in Sahuaro Ranch Park, is called WeeVOS. It is designed for toddlers aged 2-5, and complements the adjacent EVOS play structure for older children. The unique playground concept is a suspended structure that encourages physical exertion, as well as thought on the part of the kids as they maneuver over, under and around all of the play features.

This play equipment was donated by Landscape Structures, and is the first of its kind internationally in a public setting. Sahuaro Ranch Park is located at 59th Avenue and Mountain View Road.