The Cactus District is an older part of Glendale, located in the southeastern portion of the city. It begins at 43rd Avenue and Camelback Road, stretches across to 59th Avenue and runs as far north as Peoria Avenue. The beginning of the Cactus District is about nine miles from Gila River Arena, and it is the home district of Glendale city councilmember and Vice Mayor Ian Hugh.

Hugh was initially elected to city council in 1986 and came back to council in 2013. He likened Glendale’s financial plight four years ago to that of Detroit, Mich., and through prudent budget management and a rebounding economy, the city has seen its bond rating increase in the latest report from Moody’s Investors Service, dated April 11 of this year. Glendale still has debt owing to the Camelback Ranch spring training facility and Gila River Arena, but the upgraded rating means that bonds issued by Glendale are less risky and allow for more infrastructure development.

“When I was running, somebody asked me at a public meeting how much money is in the general fund,” Hugh said. “And it was less than zero. It was millions less than zero. So we’ve had a good four years and turned the city around.”