New Homes Today Magazine
Casa Grande
One of Arizona's Best Kept Secrets
By Betsy Rice
Nestled between Phoenix and Tucson along Interstate 10 lies one of the Southwest's last, best kept secrets? The city of Casa Grande.
For many years, Casa Grande has quietly assumed its role as a small farming community steeped in tradition. And while many understood the city's charms, most had only seen Casa Grande from the road between Phoenix and Tucson on Interstate 10. But for those who venture into the heart of Casa Grande, a wonderful surprise awaits them: a vibrant, diverse and innovative community with a true hometown appeal.
Just a short 35-minute drive from Chandler, Casa Grande provides a variety of opportunities including retail, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and service industries. This progressive city has a superb local economy, wide range of services and well-planned quality development, making it easy to see why Casa Grande is one of the fastest growing communities in the Southwest. Today, more than 40,000 residents call Casa Grande home.
From shopping to parks, quality medical and educational facilities to master planned communities, Casa Grande has something for everyone. The city's award-winning historical downtown brings back memories of yesteryear with its quaint specialty and antique stores, coffee shops and diners. Many of the buildings and homes are a reflection of days gone by, with more than 40 of these structures listed on the National and Local Historic Registers, including City Hall, a beautiful and impressive two-story adobe building constructed in the early 1920s.
Modern-day amenities add their own appeal. Casa Grande welcomed its first regional shopping mall in 2007. The Promenade at Casa Grande, managed by Westcor, includes more than one million square feet of retail space anchored by Dillard's, JCPenney's, Target and Kohl's. The Promenade is also home to a 12-screen Harkins' Theater and a variety of national chain restaurants such as Mimi's Café, Rubio's and In and Out Burger.
Casa Grande is also home to the Outlets at Casa Grande, with more than 42 retail stores attracting over two million shoppers annually. In addition, residents have a wide variety of other local retailers and specialty stores to choose from, including Wal-Mart Supercenter, Lowe's, Home Depot, Albertson's, Food City, Fry's and Safeway. Dining out is easy with dozens of local restaurants to please the palette, ranging from quaint "mom and pop" diners to familiar national chains.
City leaders are committed to providing the highest quality of life for citizens. Recently named as Tree City U.S.A. after meeting qualifications for the urban tree care program, Casa Grande features lush greenbelts and more than 20 parks. The Palm Island Family Aquatics Park provides family fun in the sun through the summer months, while the Paul Mason Sportsplex is home to many special events, including an annual old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration.
Dog lovers can spend time with their favorite canine at the city's New Leash on Life Dog
Park. Six area golf courses, including the Dave White Municipal Golf Course provide year-round tee times. An initiative is underway to connect the community through an extensive multipurpose trail system.
Casa Grande is home to Pinal County's only hospital, the Casa Grande Regional Medical Center. This state-of-the-art facility recently completed a $25 million expansion to meet the needs of the growing community. With 201 private rooms, the center provides the community with convenient access to the latest procedures and equipment available. In addition to the hospital, there are a variety of other medical and health facilities available in Casa Grande, as well as assisted-living facilities and home healthcare services.
Providing a quality education for children and adults is another priority for the community. A variety of public, private and charter school options are available for children, and nearby Central Arizona College offers a variety of classes both in Casa Grande and at their Coolidge campus, a 15-minute drive from the downtown area. The Casa Grande Elementary Schools District operates nine elementary schools and three middle schools. The Casa Grande Union High School District oversees three schools and provides comprehensive extra- and co-curricular programming. Casa Grande is also home to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School for preschool through eighth grade students.
A wide variety of housing options are available for both permanent and short-term residents. From million-dollar custom homes to RV resorts, Casa Grande offers a diverse selection of new and resale homes, condominiums, apartments and even horse properties. More than 20 homebuilders are currently building neighborhoods throughout the city. Casa Grande boasts several of the finest active adult communities in the country as well.
While Casa Grande provides a wide range of services, residents most value the community's renowned friendliness, small-town charm and hometown feeling that is often lost in larger communities. In fact, more than 90 percent of residents have consistently rated the city as an excellent place to live over the last decade. Even as Casa Grande continues to experience strong growth, community leaders, residents, businesses and service organization remain committed to creating a warm and welcoming hometown environment for everyone.
Betsy Rice is Public Information Officer for the City of Casa Grande.
