Worker Power Institute, an Arizona nonprofit, wants the public to have the final say on tax incentives being provided to the 60-acre VAI Resort development in Glendale by placing the project on the ballot.

The group previously worked against the proposed Coyotes arena in Tempe, which was rejected by voters in May. Worker Power Institute (WPI) also prevailed in a yearlong effort in court to place the $1.8 billion South Pier project in Tempe on the ballot but did not pursue an election.

WPI said on Thursday that it has turned in more than 5,500 signatures to the city of Glendale in order to put the incentives up for a public vote on a future city ballot, citing a lack of transparency, concerns over water use, noise and traffic and "large property tax breaks."

Tax incentives on the project will be provided through a Government Property Lease Excise Tax, or abated property taxes for specific portions of the property over 25 years. These have been used to spur major economic development across the Valley but at times have stirred up controversy.

Brendan Walsh, executive director of Worker Power Institute, said in a statement that GPLETs should "not be used to subsidize luxury development that brings little or no benefits to working families already living in the area."

“Our goal is to increase participation and give voters a chance to participate directly in major development decisions that have a deep impact on their everyday lives," he said.

The city is in the process of counting the signatures and determining whether it's eligible to be referred to the ballot, but it's unclear how likely this is to happen or whether it would impact the development. VAI is expected to open by the fourth quarter of 2024.

VAI Resort did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement, the city claimed it was not previously contacted by the Worker Power Institute and would have provided information about the benefits of the project to the group.

VAI Resort projected to employ 1,800

Construction of the VAI Resort is well under way along the Loop 101 just south of the Cardinals stadium in the city's sports and entertainment district and has been planned for several years.

At full build-out, the $1 billion luxury development is expected to include 1,100 hotel rooms, a 6-acre water feature, a concert venue, shopping and dining, night clubs, the Mattel Adventure Park and more.

It's expected to represent the largest private-sector investment in the city's history, according to Glendale. VAI Resort previously said it would employ 1,800 and that the hotel rooms would range from $500 to $900 a night while offering public access to shops and dining.

VAI is being developed by VAI Global Development, which is owned by Tommy Fisher and Grant Fisher, the leaders of North Dakota-based civil construction firm Fisher Sand & Gravel Co.