Chandler is getting more class A office space to compete with surrounding areas. This should help the area speed up its light rail bid. Unfortunately, the city allowed a Sam's Club and Wal-Mart Supercenter between this development and downtown Chandler. It could have been planned to be a regional destination.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...oject0803.html
Big project get planning OK at Santan, Arizona Ave.
Luci Scott
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 3, 2007 09:31 AM
The Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a proposal for a 45-acre mixed-use project on the northwestern corner of Arizona Avenue and the Santan Freeway, the southern gateway to downtown.
The project, called AZ202, would include two Class A office buildings, one four stories high and the other six floors. Plans also call for 12 pads for restaurants, banks or other retail uses.
It's an important location.
"We think it's going to set the standard for a mixed-use project at this key freeway interchange that leads to downtown Chandler," said Mike Withey, an attorney whose firm represents the developer, Chicago-based Meridian West.
"The city challenged the developer to come up with a true mixed-use project including employment uses rather than a traditional shopping center. We certainly think we've delivered that."
The office buildings will total 361,414 square feet, and the retail and restaurant space will cover 82,758 square feet.
Two other large buildings may go on the site as well, including one as high as eight stories and possibly a hotel. The developer will need to go back through the site-plan approval process with the city on those.
"I don't know what's going on those other two sites," Withey said. "It could be additional office or hotel uses."
The current plan is scheduled to go before the City Council on Aug. 23.
The site of the project would cover the entire area between Pecos Road and the Santan Freeway.
"The area goes all the way to the apartments; there's not leftover vacant space," city planner Bill Dermody said.
"We're very excited about the concept of a mixed-use development here," he added. "It had previously been suggested for a retail power center, and we're very happy to see it come forward as more of an office-oriented development."
Construction is expected to start early next year.
The architect is Butler Design Group, and a contractor has yet to be chosen.
"The architecture is gorgeous," Withey said. "They've done a magnificent job."