[PhxSprawler]

Work about to start on Downtown Ocotillo project
Luci Scott
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 13, 2007 07:02 AM

Workers will break ground next week on the upscale 29-acre Downtown Ocotillo project south of Queen Creek between Price and Dobson roads.

"We're gearing up," said Spike Lawrence of the Tempe-based developer, Lawrence & Geyser.

Fencing has gone up around the site and a construction trailer has been moved into place. Heavy equipment is expected to arrive next week.

"It'll be nice to see earth movers get the weeds out of there and start moving dirt," Lawrence said.

His 29-acre project is one of two developments planned for the 103-acre site that wraps around a series of lakes and is one of the last prime pieces of real estate in Ocotillo.

When finished the area will include a 175-room Aloft hotel, a Starwood brand, and one of Arizona's first locations for a food store built by the British chain Tesco. There will be luxury condos with underground parking, Class A office space, sit-down restaurants and retail shops with Santa Barbara-style architecture.