Somerton

Somerton is doing a balancing act.

Located in the Yuma Valley on Highway 95 between Yuma and San Luis, Ariz., the city tries to maintain its small-town feel while being immersed in development projects, said Cliff O'Neill, city manager for Somerton.

"For so many decades, Somerton was so small and it really helped develop that neighborhood feel. People want to preserve that as much as we can. That's a challenge with the growth of new developments."

Somerton has grown in the past year. But with new housing developments and future expansion in the near future, the population of 10,806 residents is expected to hit 15,000 in the next four years, according to the 2006 Arizona Department of Economic Security population report.

The U.S Census Bureau released information showing that in the past seven years, Somerton has grown by 3,333 residents with an increase in population of 44.6 percent.

Other projects in the works for the city of Somerton include a major street renovation in the older parts of the city.

"We are well under way reconstructing the south section of Somerton Avenue, and we have an engineer on board that's going to start redesigning several older streets that we have downtown," O'Neill said. "We have finished our water mains replacement in the city. So we're through tearing up the streets and we're ready to start repaving them."

The city is also interested in purchasing the Orange Grove Water Co. that sits on the mesa overlooking Somerton.

"This is will help in three ways," the city manager said. "First, expanded capacity for the city water system. Secondly, improved level of service for the residents in terms of improved pressure and fire protection. This will also increase the level of storage for the city water system."

The growth is requiring city government to expand public services.

With 21,000 square feet, and housing the police and fire departments and 911 emergency dispatch call center, the new public safety building has not only brought new employees but also new residents to the area.

"Our main goal for that building is to expand our training abilities in the city," O'Neill said.

Besides new developments and procurements, the city has a plethora of options for the community to partake in.

The city has a public library, a Head Start center, a senior center and a community center.

"The way Somerton provides a small-town feel, we have always had a very good family-oriented sports program with it. Plenty of leagues including soccer, basketball, baseball, softball," O'Neill said.

There is also a basketball court, new soccer field and a public swimming pool. And for golfers, there is also a golf course that was acquired by the Cocopah Tribe.

"The community's premier facility is our Armando Reynoso field, a little league field that was donated to the community by (Arizona Public Service) and the Arizona Diamondbacks. It has a fully lighted field and scoreboard. It's a showpiece for the community and we're lucky to have it. Its usage is increasing all the time."

The city also has its own elementary school district: the Somerton School District. This consists of four elementary schools and one middle school. Arizona Western College has a satellite campus in Somerton.