Students from Nicole Lee’s CMN 520 Communication Campaigns course collaborated with Apache Junction’s Parks and Recreation Department to develop research-informed messaging about the importance of invasive species removal and management. Drawing on behavioral theories and communication best practices, the students developed three campaigns targeting various audiences on the education and removal of buffelgrass. The students were guided by two goals in their campaigns:

• Develop communication campaigns to inform Apache Junction audiences including: residents, park and public land users, and potential volunteers on what invasive species look like, how to stop the spread of invasive species, and how to safely remove them.
• Develop communication campaign strategies to recruit volunteers to engage in regular invasive species removal activities, such as removal, monitoring, and further community outreach.Ěý

Based on a review of successful community campaigns, the students identified several key messages and strategies for their target audiences. Key messaging includes emphasizing the safety hazard that buffelgrass poses to community members, mobilizing a feeling of community “togetherness” to target the issue, and the benefits of buffelgrass removal for homeowners. Through cohesive communications with Apache Junction residents, visitors, and public space users, the City can effectively educate community members about buffelgrass removal and the effects of invasive species on the ecosystem. 

With its “Positively AJ” campaign, Apache Junction aims to improve its image, attract business, and show that the city is a compelling year-round destination for both residents and non-residents. It is important to note that visitors are increasingly getting first impressions of destinations through online avenues and are making decisions based on their digital experiences. Further, having a strong understanding of assets, strengths, and opportunities helps destinations such as Apache Junction figure out what visitor market to target, both online and with a greater brand campaign.

This is where Arizona State University’s Project Cities enters the picture. Two fall 2017 courses, TDM 372 Tourism Planning and TWC 544 User Experience, enlisted in the program to support Apache Junction in strengthening the tourism component of Positively AJ. TWC 544 User Experience focused on Apache Junction’s website from the perspective of potential visitors. Students evaluated the visitor page of ApacheJunction’s website (ajcity.net) for issues and recommendations for improvement. Students determined that its visitor page is difficult to navigate and lacking in the relevant information. Because of these challenges, users may be driven away from the website and, as a result, may be discouraged from visiting Apache Junction. However, by improving navigation and website content, ajcity.net’s visitor page can help improve the city’s image and attract tourists. The students presented a series of recommendations for improvements, including repairing broken links, embedding related videos directly on the website, and putting the most relevant information—like sites to see, where to stay, and where to eat—within easy view. Improving such visitor content on the site is a top priority.

With its “Positively AJ” campaign, Apache Junction aims to improve its image, attract business, and show that the city is a compelling year-round destination for both residents and non-residents. It is important to note that visitors are increasingly getting first impressions of destinations through online avenues and are making decisions based on their digital experiences. Further, having a strong understanding of assets, strengths, and opportunities helps destinations such as Apache Junction figure out what visitor market to target, both online and with a greater brand campaign.

This is where Arizona State University’s Project Cities enters the picture. Two fall 2017 courses, TDM 372 Tourism Planning and TWC 544 User Experience, enlisted in the program to support Apache Junction in strengthening the tourism component of Positively AJ. TDM 372 assessed Apache Junction’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and used this analysis to highlight a new target visitor market forApache Junction and provide guidance for related tourism strategies. Students focused on the overall picture of tourism, from its present state to its promise, in Apache Junction. The students in this course evaluated Apache Junction’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats based on community engagement and literature-based research. Results included that its outdoor attractions(Superstition Mountains, Canyon Lake, Lost Dutchman State Park) and nearby events (Renaissance Festival, Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo) are some strengths. Weaknesses include a lack of a coherent brand, a lack of funding dedicated to tourism and tourism-related infrastructure, a shortage of restaurants and lodging to support short-term visitors. Building upon these results, the students determined that ApacheJunction needs a strong tourism brand, and should consider targeting the adventure tourism market. They presented three strategies, including increasing overall social media activity (as adventure tourists are largely a younger demographic), developing uniform marketing campaigns, and collaborating with other Arizona tourism organizations to cross-promote Apache Junction as an Arizona destination.

Apache Junction’s first off-leash dog plan was to be the fourth phase of Prospector Park, which is located on the north side of the city and has facilities including multi-use fields, restrooms, and playgrounds. Construction drawings were even made and approved in 2009 for this more than 5-acre extension. The second plan was created at the same time as part of a master plan for Silly Mountain Park, which is located in the southeast part of the city off U.S. 60 and includes a multi-use trail and botanical garden. The approximately 4.5-acre dog park portion of the facility was introduced as a result of public interest during hearings about plans for the greater park. However, these first two off-leash dog park plans came with price tags of at least $3 million. Since both were unveiled in the midst of the Great Recession, a lack of funding halted their forward movement. The third conceptual plan, which was generated in 2015, was to be located on 1.5 acres of county property near CityHall. The cost to build it was much more modest, estimated to be nearly$650,000, but it never received an official decision and therefore was not presented to the city council.

For more than a decade, public support for an off-leash dog park in the city does not appear to have waned. However, the high costs of the two original plans are ongoing barriers to implementation. The city would like to find more affordable alternatives or new funding sources so that it can finally provide its residents and their pets with a public place to play.Ěý Students in the course researched important elements of dog parks and alternative funding models to help Apache Junction persevere. Its graduate students performed surveys and field observations, dug through documents about off-leash dog parks and the practices of other cities, and compare plans and parks to provide this guidance.

As of 2017, Apache Junction does not require residents to subscribe to weekly solid waste collection. Instead, it allows them to choose whether or not to contract with a solid waste pickup service, of which there are three available. The Apache Junction landfill is also located within city jurisdiction, has low rates, and offers city residents four weeks each year to dispose of one truckload of waste for free. However, this landfill is slated to close in 2035, and the next closest is more than 30 miles away. Further, while the city’s solid waste ordinance prohibits illegal dumping and storage of solid waste on residential properties, Apache Junction’shands-off approach still results in a significant number of complaints about the solid waste that has been abandoned or stored on residential properties. City officials are concerned about safety issues related to these occurrences, compliance with regulations, and ensuring a desirable quality of life for all residents.

While the city is looking forward to more sustainable solid waste management, it is unclear how it should proceed due to its unique seasonal demographics and existing system. In the fall of 2017, two courses—ERM 432/532 Sustainable Solid Waste Management and PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone enlisted in Arizona State University’s Project Cities program to provide Apache Junction with insight on issues related to its current solid waste management and present potential pathways for sustainable alternatives. To do so, ERM 432/532 students analyzed complaints received by Apache Junction and Pinal County about solid waste, researched related environmental health aspects, and assessed the city’s online complaint filing system.

Students in this course focused on understanding the current and potential impacts of Apache Junction’s existing solid waste management. To get a wider perspective, students broke into two teams. The first analyzed complaints filed with Apache Junction and PinalCounty regarding solid waste, looking for trends and insights. This team also reviewed the city’s online complaint filing system and compared it with similar municipal websites to determine how this system could better serve residents and city management. Results showed that FreeDump Week did not interrupt the flow of complaints received, and certain neighborhoods would benefit from increased educational campaigns regarding solid waste ordinances and bulk pickup services. The second team reviewed literature related to environmental and health aspects of improperly stored or disposed solid waste. Their findings highlighted issues related to odors, vector control, air pollution, soil contamination, water pollution, injury control, and aesthetics.

As of 2017, Apache Junction does not require residents to subscribe to weekly solid waste collection. Instead, it allows them to choose whether or not to contract with a solid waste pickup service, of which there are three available. The Apache Junction landfill is also located within city jurisdiction, has low rates, and offers city residents four weeks each year to dispose of one truckload of waste for free. However, this landfill is slated to close in 2035, and the next closest is more than 30 miles away. Further, while the city’s solid waste ordinance prohibits illegal dumping and storage of solid waste on residential properties, Apache Junction’shands-off approach still results in a significant number of complaints about the solid waste that has been abandoned or stored on residential properties. City officials are concerned about safety issues related to these occurrences, compliance with regulations, and ensuring a desirable quality of life for all residents.

While the city is looking forward to more sustainable solid waste management, it is unclear how it should proceed due to its unique seasonal demographics and existing system. In the fall of 2017, two courses—ERM 432/532 Sustainable Solid Waste Management and PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone enlisted in Arizona State University’s Project Cities program to provide Apache Junction with insight on issues related to its current solid waste management and present potential pathways for sustainable alternatives. ĚýPAF 509 students researchedApache Junction and the solid waste management practices of similar entities, then presented solutions for how the city can move forward.

Individual students in this course each produced a capstone report for their master’s degree that was focused on Apache Junction’scurrent solid waste management system. Each chose different investigative approaches, such as surveying residents or comparing practices of peer cities. Based on their research methods, the students generated their own findings and recommendations. Among these were:1) discontinuing Free Dump Week, 2) joining another city in contracting a solid waste provider for mandatory weekly pickup, and 3) implementing pay-as-you-throw solid waste service. An additional element that was prioritized was recycling.

The Apache Junction Empowerment Group was formed in 2015 and the Chronic Homeless Subcommittee in 2016 to work toward addressing and preventing homelessness in Apache Junction. Despite the contributions of these two groups, the city is still grasping to understand how the public perceives homelessness and what services are needed by its homeless population and those at risk of homelessness. In the fall of 2017, the PUP 571 Socio-economic Planning and PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone courses enlisted in Arizona State University’s Project Cities program to help Apache Junction comprehend these issues and make decisions about what to do next. The students in PUP 571 looked outward for insight, researching peer communities around the United States with similarities to Apache Junction and interviewing their leadership about successful strategies for addressing homelessness.

Students in this course looked to peer communities around the country for best practices for addressing homelessness. To choose communities, they searched for those with characteristics like climate, population, and an unemployment rate that were similar to those of Apache Junction, as well as communities making promising strides, which they then vetted with Apache Junction staff to determine which seemed most promising. From interviews with leaders in the selected peer communities, their findings indicated that successful strategies make use of federal programs and funding, encourage collaboration and data sharing, involve the community, locate services prudently, and educate law enforcement.

The Apache Junction Empowerment Group was formed in 2015 and the Chronic Homeless Subcommittee in 2016 to work toward addressing and preventing homelessness in Apache Junction. Despite the contributions of these two groups, the city is still grasping to understand how the public perceives homelessness and what services are needed by its homeless population and those at risk of homelessness. In the fall of 2017, the PUP 571 Socio-economic Planning and PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone courses enlisted in Arizona State University’s Project Cities program to help Apache Junction comprehend these issues and make decisions about what to do next. ĚýPAF 509 students focused on Apache Junction, interviewing residents and analyzing data related to their specific topics, then presenting recommendations specific to the city’s context.

Individual students in this course each produced a capstone report for their master’s degrees focused on specific aspects of homelessness in Apache Junction and related topics, such as funding opportunities or health concerns. Each chose customized investigative approaches including surveying residents and analyzing data. Based on their research methods, the students generated their own findings and recommendations. The themes that emerged for recommendations included:1) providing shelter; 2) prioritizing transportation; 3) encouraging collaboration between service providers, the city, and neighboring municipalities; and 4) increasing public awareness.

Students from the PAF 509 Public Affairs capstone course dedicated their independent master’s degree capstone reports to Apache Junction’s search for a path to increase revenue. Each performed two case studies of the nearby peer municipalities of Avondale, Chandler, Mesa, Maricopa, Oro Valley, and Queen Creek. They investigated revenue challenges these municipalities were facing and approaches they have taken to generating funds. Then the students produced findings, and recommendations that included the following: 1) reevaluating fees, such as introducing higher fees for non-residents and commercial businesses; 2) expanding local economic opportunities, such as building a boutique retail sector; and3) reconsidering a property tax, such as introducing a secondary property tax to retire debts.

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Through the Project Cities program of Arizona State University (ASU), two Spring 2018 classes enlisted to support the Positively Apache Junction campaign.Ěý The students in HST 485 produced eight “histories of place” focused on Apache Junction topics such as the Apache Trail and the Apache Junction’s Women’s Club. In addition, they digitally surveyed local residents to identify places of value in order the city and why they were of value. Students in this course used digital methods to conduct community-engaged historical research. They produced two sets of results. The first was eight histories of Apache Junction, with findings presented online as blogs. To research these topics, groups of students reviewed literature including local and online documents, visited the site virtually or physically, and informally interviewed community members. These place histories were about: the former location of the SuperstitionHo Hotel (later known as The Grand Hotel); water in Apache Junction; the parks and recreational trails of Apache Junction; the Apache Trail; the lands once occupied by the Hohokam and Salado tribes; the ApacheJunction Women’s Club; and Apache Junction High School. The second set of results was a digital map of Apache Junction places valued by residents or visitors. To achieve these results, they conducted a mapping survey. Through an online and in-person version of the survey, the students received nearly 200 responses and nearly 1,000 values. With this information, they generated a “values map” of the area. Students analyzed the results for findings and to inform their place histories. They also presented recommendations, including 1) Develop cultural and tourism assets related to the sites identified in the mapping survey that could improve the quality of life and positive perception of ApacheJunction; 2) create plaques for places of historical significance, such as where the Superstition Ho Hotel once stood, to commemorate history in Apache Junction; 3) host semi-annual community events near CanyonLake that include water conservation education.