Lawsuit filed against City of Glendale in VAI Resorts deal

GLENDALE, Ariz. - A West Valley city has become the target of a lawsuit, as a result of a deal that prompted the construction of a resort in the area.

According to a statement released on Nov. 16, officials with a group named Worker Power say they are supporting two taxpayers in the lawsuit they filed against the City of Glendale. The lawsuit claims the proposed tax benefits for the VAI Resort violate the gift clause of Arizona's constitution.

One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, according to the statement, is the Executive Director of Worker Power, Brendan Walsh.

"The City of Glendale should be looking out for its residents and ensuring that every deal they enter into gives back to the community," said Walsh, in the statement.

Residents sue Glendale over VAI Resort deal

Officials with a group named Worker Power say they are supporting two taxpayers in the lawsuit they filed against the City of Glendale. The lawsuit claims the proposed tax benefits for the VAI Resort violate the gift clause of Arizonas constitution.

The other plaintiff was identified by officials with Worker Power as a Glendale homeowner named Ana Martinez.

"Before I learned about this lawsuit, I thought that the resort deal was bad because of how much money was being given away. Now, I find out that what Glendale is doing is illegal. That is really upsetting because I expect the City Council to think about us, the people that elect them, but it feels like that’s not true," said Martinez, in the statement.

We have reported on the VAI Resort project in years past. In an article we published in 2022, it was stated that the resort, which will be located near State Farm Stadium, aims to be a ‘water oasis to the desert' that will also include a concert stage, restaurants, a wedding chapel, alongside other features.

Featured