December 7, 2007 - 1:16AM
Reliance to begin building at Gateway Airport
Tony Natale, Tribune
The first step in developing a 52-acre parcel into a job center near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport began Thursday when the Reliance Companies announced it would begin building a warehouse on more than four acres at the southeast corner of Velocity Way and Sossaman Road.
The project, which also includes a multitenant 60,000-square-foot building, is planned as part of a 500,000-square-foot commercial park. The park is expected to one day create more than 1,500 jobs in aerospace-related companies, Reliance and airport officials said.
Last year Reliance signed a lease agreement with the airport to develop the area south of one of three runways. It is near air cargo facilities and a short distance from the passenger terminal.
“We are confident that there are a number of businesses who want to operate on or near the airport, and we believe that our project will provide the quality commerce park product that they need to do so,” said Bob Mulhern, president of Reliance Companies.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, formerly known as Williams Air Force Base, is owned and operated by an airport authority consisting of the Gila River Indian Community, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Queen Creek.
Until the lease agreement with Reliance Companies, the authority and officials were solely responsible for planning and developing the area in and around the airport. Their responsibility includes both the land used for airport operations as well as for privately-owned commercial buildings on airport property.
“Reliance’s groundbreaking represents an innovative approach to job creation at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport,” said Lynn Kusy, airport director. “This public-private partnership will result in significant job growth as Gateway continues to expand as a major job center and commercial airport for the Phoenix-Mesa metropolitan area.” As part of its expansion plan, the airport on Oct. 25 announced the beginning of non-stop passenger service by Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air to 14 cities. Since then, the number of passengers and visitors have steadily increased and plans are being studied to increase the number of flights even more.
Meanwhile, the added flights are expected to bring more than 130,000 in-bound visitors annually to the Valley, which could result between 25,000 and 30,000 additional hotel nights each year, according to Robert Brinton, executive director of the Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Source: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/103578