Glendale had a chip on its shoulder for decades. It was older than the fancier new burbs taking shape in the East Valley, smaller than neighboring Phoenix and lacking the excitement of tourist destination Scottsdale.

Why it matters: That chip fueled impatience in city leaders, who took a series of big swings to create what they hoped would be the Valley's sports and entertainment hub, elevating the city above its station.

• The evolution they sought took longer to materialize than many hoped, but their labor is bearing fruit.

The big picture: The Sports and Entertainment District, anchored by State Farm Stadium, Desert Diamond Arena and Westgate, now attracts about 15 million visitors annually, according to the city.

• The state's largest resort (VAI) — a $1 billion investment that includes a theme park, concert amphitheater and three celebrity-chef restaurants — is under construction there.
• Over the past decade, other experiential attractions have popped up, including TopGolf, Chicken N Pickle and PopStroke, while higher-end dining options have landed at Westgate.

Flashback: In 2003, Glendale borrowed $180 million to build an arena for the Arizona Coyotes.

• A few years later, it courted the Arizona Cardinals and borrowed $85 million to build a media center, parking garage and hotel conference center in the Westgate area, according to the Arizona Republic.

The intrigue: When the Great Recession hit, Glendale's revenues declined significantly and the city struggled to keep up with its debt. It had to close public swimming pools, cut library hours and raise taxes, the Republic reported.

• Yes, but: The city clawed its way out of the recession and city manager Kevin Phelps said most of the expensive investments from the early 2000s are now paying dividends.

The bottom line: "We know that people used to look down on the West Valley, stick their nose up at the West Valley. But you can't deny that the West Valley is where it's at now and Glendale is at the heart," Glendale Chamber president and CEO Joshua Gunn told Axios.

What's next

A pro-labor organization wants hospitality workers to earn higher salaries as Glendale becomes a bigger tourist destination.

The big picture: Glendale voters will weigh in on Proposition 499 this election, which would raise the minimum hourly wage to $20 — with annual increases of at least 3% — for hotel, convention center and event center employees.

• It would also set limits on the square footage housekeepers can clean in one shift without overtime pay and require hotels and event centers that charge service fees to turn over all fees to service workers.
• The initiative would require the city to establish a Department of Labor Standards to ensure local venues comply with the new rules.

State of play: A political action committee called Worker Power collected about 9,000 signatures to get the initiative in front of Glendale voters.

• Worker Power executive director Brendan Walsh told Axios the group targeted Glendale because "workers should share in the growth" the hospitality industry is seeing.

What they're saying: "The industry is booming and workers are living out of their cars. They're forced to decide between buying medicine or paying rent. The workers are struggling while the industry is thriving," Walsh said.

The other side: City leadership and business groups are ringing alarm bells about the initiative, saying it would deter future events from coming to town and force the city to spend at least $1 million on the new labor division.

• The city hired a firm to conduct an economic impact study, which found that in addition to the new spending, the proposition would likely require hotels and event venues to charge more to cover the higher wages, which could result in fewer people staying and dining — potentially costing the city a few million dollars in tax revenue.

Go deeper

🏨 The much-anticipated VAI Resort is now slated to open in phases. The amphitheater, adjoining hotel tower and the Mattel Adventure Park are expected to debut by the end of next year, and the rest of the project is slated to open in 2026. (ABC 15)

🦁 A two-story Thirsty Lion restaurant will open at Westgate Entertainment District in early November. (Glendale Star)

🎷 Arizona Jazz Fest will bring world-class performers to the West Valley Event Complex in Glendale next weekend. (Travel and Tour World)

Longtime Arizona's Family anchor Jaime Cerreta is enmeshed with one of Glendale's most iconic businesses — her family owns the Cerreta Candy Company.

We asked her to share how she'd spend a perfect day in her hometown:

🍳 Breakfast: At Blue Corn Café and Bakery, I would get a breakfast quiche, a loaf of scratch-made bread to take home, and maybe a grab-and-go turkey sandwich just because they are delish.

🍬 Morning activity: You knew this was coming — go say hi to my family at the Cerreta Candy Company!

• Pro tip: Candymakers start early in the day, so I always suggest a morning tour.

🫖 Lunch: The Spicery, in an 1895 home, is iconic. Go have some tea, gaze at the collection of vintage teacups and teapots, and order the chicken salad sandwich — it is so good!

🛍️ Afternoon activity: Let's take a walk! I love to wander through the shops and businesses that surround Murphy Park.

🍕 Dinner: Let's grab a slice at La Piazza al Forno (my colleague Jared Dillingham's favorite place), then wash it down with a waffle cone with locally made ice cream at Papa Ed's.

🍻 Evening activity: Before we leave Catlin Court, let's go to Haus Murphy's for a beer and some music, then let's make our way to Westgate for a cigar at Fine Ash Bar and Lounge.

Jaime's favorite candy