The original agreement between the city, Macerich and Globe Investors was approved in 2006. With the impact of the economic crisis, the development schedule was put on hold. This coupled with the very rapid growth in online shopping, has changed the dynamics of the project (and retail in general) and it has not moved forward at the scale and pace once planned. However, retail developments have taken place in the area including the Market at Estrella Falls and the very successful Harkins Theater. We are also expecting the announcement of the development of a major full service restaurant shortly.  There are obligations in the current development agreement for construction of additional retail by Macerich by 2021. Macerich has not presented any new development ideas for the site and Globe has not to date presented a plan for the land it owns. Currently the city is relying on the existing agreement but is open to new ideas for the overall area and development of a concentration of retail within its boundaries.

"So in summary, although our development agreement for this privately-held land still calls for a mall, and we do still believe it will be retail and entertainment, it is unlikely to look like the malls we traditionally think of like Arrowhead," Julie Arendall, Goodyear City Manager

Every week, we interview movers and shakers in Estrella. From residents to small business owners, we want to know what's on their mind. For the past six months, we've been asking, "What do you want to see in Estrella over the next 10 years?"

In the next 5-10 years I’d want to see Estrella continue to maintain its reputation for having great school choices for the children in the community and focus on keeping the “small town” feel as commercial businesses and real estate development occurs. I’d love to see the City of Goodyear, breathe new life into the original plans from years ago to develop a city park with an Olympic size pool for use by the community and high school, as well as a “lazy river” water ride. Of course, I’d love to see a pickleball court facility built within the Estrella community where pickleball tournaments could be hosted. Since more and more people are playing the sport and can be a definite draw for potential home buyers, it would be a win, win situation!

I would love to see our community become one that reaches out to each other and meets the needs of those around them.  I have spent time collecting clothing and household items for Mexico and the homeless, but I have also found people in our own community who needed a helping hand and I was astounded at the generosity of those in our community who stepped up to help!  I love seeing that and I feel so blessed to live in Estrella with so many generous people!  I would love to see a clothing and food bank right here in Estrella even if it started out of a garage, but I know there is a need and those to meet those needs.

We love how pet-friendly Estrella is. We trust it will stay that way.

We would like more community activities to bring in people from other parts of the valley to see how beautiful Estrella is.

In the past 11 years, we have seen Estrella grow and change so much.  New restaurants, schools, market, housing.  Even with all these changes, the one constant is the amazing people who live and work up here, the small community feel and how everyone looks out for each other.  I feel so blessed to live here and to work at a place that lives out love.

I would love to see more community events in Estrella, such as 5Ks, triathlons, safety and health  classes for children, and events that bring neighbors together.  It would be nice to see more shops succeed that are run by residents, that is for sure.

We already have so much, but there are things that would definitely go over so well with the local community. Go ahead, post in one of the Facebook groups up here that you wish there was a nice, sit down restaurant and watch the internet break! We love to spend time at the golf course restaurant - the food is amazing and those views...stunning.

If you would have asked me that in the past 10 years, I would have said a grocery store, pharmacy, bagel shop, restaurants, nail shop, physicians for people and pets, more bike trails and park, waterpark, workout center.  We have all the basics now... Newland has done a wonderful job developing our community.  The HOA is more and more Homeowner and Realtor friendly.  Maybe we could improve on landscape maintenance so that it is safer for drivers and homeowners and stays aesthetically attractive.

I hope we get more small shops. One day Estrella will be like a small town and I think the charm is having small shops. Most people know we really wanted to open our store up where we live, but we were not a franchise so the landlord did not want us. Does the rent for these businesses really need to be so high? Solar energy should be a staple for commercial buildings as well as all new homes being built. It would be really cool if we had a community hydroponics garden.

I would like to see diligent control of the quality and extent of the development in Estrella Mountain Ranch.  A nice restaurant would be a welcome addition.