Digg|
Save|
License|
Print|
E-mail|
Double-click any word or phrase in the story to search this site.
May 7, 2008 - 6:03PM
Updated: May 7, 2008 - 11:26PM
Mesa town house, retail project on track
Comments | RecommendDavid Woodfill, Tribune
Work began last week on a dense residential, retail and office development near the future light-rail track in Mesa. The 3.3-acre site that will house Main Street West Village is the former location of Tracker Marine Boat Center.
The dealership vacated the land near Alma School Road last year and moved to Mesa Riverview.
Workers have already demolished the old boat dealership, cleared the land and fenced it off.
Main Street West Village will be a mix of 55 town houses and 13 ground-floor shops. It's aimed at commuters who plan to use light rail, said Mesa economic development spokeswoman Holly Hosac.
Dan Randall, the project's developer, said construction should start by the beginning of June.
"Everything just seems to be moving along OK," he said.
Randall said it's unclear whether the Valley's housing market will recover by the time his $250,000 to $300,000 town houses are selling.
"It's a big guess for all of us," he said. "If the market comes back within the next year or so, then we hit it just about right."
Randall pointed to some economic factors such as the low cost of construction caused by the slow housing market.
"It's a double-edged sword," he said. "You try to hit it so that you build it ... when the market is obviously on the upswing. But during this time period when things are awful slow, you can sure get them built awful cheap."
Randall also said the rising cost of gasoline should make his homes more popular as people look for alternative modes of travel.
"It'll be easy for somebody to live there and then walk down and get on the train and go to work," he said.
Whether or not Main Street will become a dense, urban-style, pedestrian-friendly area depends heavily on other developers copying Randall's concept and city support.
"We've got a whole new City Council coming on board," Randall said. "We'll see what their direction is."
News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: