Phase 1 of Spaces of Opportunity Completed
Spaces of Opportunity has been working to transform a 19-acre lot, which sat vacant for roughly 20 years, into one of the nation’s largest urban agriculture projects. Spaces’ mission is to enable all south Phoenix families to have affordable access to healthy food, active living and healthy roots to their cultures. Spaces is engineering a comprehensive, neighborhood-level food system where gardeners, farmers and farm workers are celebrated as artisans.
Spaces is located in the 85041 zip code, which is an official “low-income, low-access” food desert, per the Department of Agriculture designation. The land is owned by the Roosevelt School District, of which more than 90% of the students qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.
Spaces is excited to be working toward the completion of refrigerated cool storage and produce wash station, which will allow more efficient operations at the farmers market. Spaces recently completed Phase 1 of the project which includes:
- The development of a 10-acre urban farm
- The development of a 1-acre community garden
- The expansion of Vineyard Road within the property development area
- Parking lot and entrance
- Development area landscaping
- 9,500-square-foot farmers market shade structure
- 16,000 square feet of open community civic event space
- Bathroom
- 600-foot mural, highlighting the agricultural history of south Phoenix
- Produce wash, prep and cool storage area
Spaces is now launching into Phase 2 and is always looking for community support. You can participate in Fund the Farm, and the Garden will announce more details on this virtual online auction in the near future.
