Sagewood Homeowners Association

Flowing Wells Revitalization Nationally Recognized

By Som Lisaius, KOLD News 13

When Ellie Towne moved to Flowing Wells 26 years ago, most people's perception of the community wasn't exactly endearing. "We were meth alley, trailer trash, the white ghetto," Towne says. "Today that is changing."

So much, in fact, Flowing Wells was recently nominated for an All America City Award, along with 20 other nominees nationwide. "We're the only neighborhood association in the group," says Towne, who's also President of the Flowing Wells Neighborhood Association & Community Coalition. "The rest are all cities and towns across America--and that tells me that we doing a good job."

With the help of public and private dollars, Flowing Wells is significantly cleaning up its streets, building new homes and providing more services for those who need it most. Says Terri Hutts, volunteer and grant writer for Flowing Wells Neighborhood Association, "It's almost a necessity to start bundling social services so that it's more of a one-stop."

Precisely what's being done in the community's hub near Ruthrauff and Romero. The county's largest community center will be complete in September, a center for women, infants, and children came here last year and a sprawling 12-thousand square foot library breaks ground in August. But that's not all.

"This is our first home of the Pima County I'm Home Project." As part of Flowing Wells Revitalization, Towne is referring to Innovations in Manufactured Homes. More specifically, if you live in a mobile home over 20 years old and meet certain financial requirements, you could be eligible for a brand new, low-interest manufactured home in Flowing Wells designated renewal zone.

Twelve new manufactured homes will be awarded to residents here on a first-come-- first serve basis. Yet another example of how far this community has come, with a little national recognition--to along with it.

As for the All-America City Award, we won't know who the winner is until June. Flowing Wells is Arizona's only nominee this year and is just the second Arizona community ever nominated for this national award.