Hot Developments of the PHX East Valley

A lot is happening in the PHX East Valley from business expansion to population growth. Check out six current developments being constructed in the East Valley that range from business hubs to infrastructure improvements.

Redevelopment of Falcon Field (Mesa)  

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This former military aviation training base in Mesa had seen better days before nearly $3 million was recently invested in Falcon Field. Since it’s groundbreaking in 1941, Falcon Field has transformed from a military airfield to a state-of-the-art airport that serves corporate, recreational, instructional aviation and of course military in the PHX East Valley.  

This airfield has undergone many transformations through the years, in 2007 the Airport Master Plan was updated to improve safety, operating systems and to accommodate increased air traffic. As of April 2017, LED lighting on the runway was installed to improve safety, and new signage was added to the taxiway.  

Next the City of Mesa, along with other governmental agencies, hopes to add an Airport Surface Observation System (ASOS) to provide 24-hour weather information to pilots, and a new aircraft washing facility.  

So what’s happening now? In August, the Mesa City Council approved a $520,518 grant agreement with the FAA to update the Airport Master Plan. Coffman Associates, the firm who developed the 2007 plan, will update the plan with the hopes to have the projects completed by spring 2019.  

ASU Biodesign Institute (Tempe)  

Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 10.24.29 AMAs the most innovative school in the nation three years running, it’s no question that Arizona State University takes its educational investment seriously!  

The Biodesign Institute at ASU represents the largest single investment in research infrastructure in Arizona. The plan is to have four interconnected buildings encompassing 800,000 square feet. Buildings A and B were completed in 2004 and 2006, and currently accommodate over 600 faculty, staff and students.  

Building C is under construction and will be the center of research for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering and the Biodesign Institute. Building C is expected to be finished in June 2018, with its first students being able to conduct research and study in the cutting-edge facility during the fall of 2018.  

The total cost of the Building C project is $120,000,000 and will meet the universities increased need for additional laboratory space to secure and conduct cutting-edge research. The building will include laboratories, casework and office layouts to increase collaboration, productivity and adaptability. It will also house the world’s smallest electron laser technology with intentions of us for ASU’s BioXFEL program. 

Building C is designed to meet specifications for LEED Silver at a minimum, with intentions of achieving a higher certification. After the completion, future construction and additions to the project will be adapted as funding and needs dictate.

Price Road Corridor (Chandler) 

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This five-square-mile area is one of Arizona’s fastest growing business hubs for a variety of reasons from its established corporate community to its prime location, the Price Road Corridor is a magnet for highly-skilled workers and leading-edge companies.  

The Price Road Corridor offers businesses a setting to thrive and innovate. This distinct business hub is home to large corporations from industries such as advanced business services, aerospace, advanced technology research and manufacturing have already set up shop in the Corridor. Such companies include; Intel, Rogers Corporation, Orbital ATK and Republic Services.  

The newest neighbor on the block is Walgreens who announced in August 2017, the opening of a new pharmacy operations support center later in the fall. Walgreens will house over 500 employees at its Price Road Corridor location.  

Along with the ideal business setting, businesses won’t have to worry about spotty electric service. The Price Road Corridor offers high-capacity utilities with SRP servicing the area to provide reliable electric service to meet the increased energy needs of the area. SRP was recently granted approval for a new 4.8-mile line from the Knox substation to a new RS-27 substation. So needless to say, SPR has Price Road Corridor businesses covered.  

Town Center Visioning Project (Queen Creek)  

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The Town of Queen Creek has transformed from its humble, rural beginnings to a thriving, residential community. The Town Center Visioning Project is designed to encourage greater investment and business growth in the area.  

This up-and-coming region was made possible with the assistance from investors and a well strategized city plan. The project divides the Town Center of Queen Creek into eight development districts to help accommodate the growing population needs.  

The project’s goal is to develop shopping centers and public spaces, as well as improving traffic intersections. The Victoria Parcel is the largest remaining parcel in the Town Center Visioning Project with 33+ acres available for development.  

The development district, Queen Creek Marketplace, hosts a Super Target, Harkins and other retail stores. The remaining sections of the project will be designated to community developments, residential spaces and entertainment to service the increasingly populous area.     

Freeway Corridor Sites (Apache Junction)  

Screen Shot 2017-10-04 at 9.37.47 AMAn innovative transportation plan will be front and center on the Pinal County voter’s ballot in November. This transportation plan will improve the inadequate transportation connections between local roads to the I-10.  

If approved by voters, the sales tax in Pinal County would increase by half a cent and translates to roughly $7 a month for homeowners in Pinal County for a series of new roads and freeways. The plan is important for improving safety, connecting business and to meet increased transportation needs.  

The North-South Corridor of the infrastructure plan will encompass U.S. Route 60 in Apache Junction to the Interstate 10 in the south.  

For the North-South Corridor project, ADOT is currently conducting environmental and engineering studies for the potentially extending 45 miles from U.S. 60 in Apache Junction to near Picacho, Arizona.  

The project is currently unfunded, but will be voted on in November. Be sure to hit the voting booth this November to cast your vote!  

Rivulon (Gilbert)  

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Located near the intersection of Gilbert Road and AZ Loop 202, Rivulon is a 250-acre development project transforming Gilbert from its roots in hay and agriculture to high-capital and business.  

The site has plans for 3 million square-feet of office space and 250,000 square-feet of retail and hotels when completed. Nationwide Reality Investors will funnel $750 million into the project as the developments sole investors.  

As of March 2017, nearly 96 percent of the space available at Rivulon were leased to businesses and restaurants. In 2014, when the project broke ground it was projected to create an employment hub by adding 6,500 new jobs in the region.  

As with all development traffic follows! Don’t worry Gilbert leaders have proposed a solution to accommodate the influx of traffic coming from this developing economic hub. Gilbert has proposed a new Loop 202 interchange at Lindsay Road to alleviate traffic in the business district in the hopes to divert traffic making commutes short, safe and sweet.