As the vision for North Phoenix’s urban village starts to take shape with plans for a mix of high-density residential developments, plans for more restaurants and retail are moving forward simultaneously.
Thompson Thrift’s Proposed Commercial & MultiFamily Plans
North Gateway Core, 500 acres east of I-17, between Sonoran Desert Drive and Dove Valley Road, bounded by Skunk Creek Wash on the west, and North Valley Parkway on the east, has been defined by the city as “a mini-downtown for the North Valley,” according to planning documents. The city’s goal is to create “a high-density, urban environment that will reduce automobile trips, support transit and promote Skunk Creek Wash as a major natural amenity that allows for a trail.”
With a number of residential developments in the works, restaurants and retailers are making plans to locate within this fast-growing pocket. Developer Thompson Thrift is in the process of purchasing a 30-acre parcel along Dove Valley near the future 29th Avenue alignment planned for mixed use including restaurants, retail and multifamily residential.
Pizza and Gourmet Cookies
While the land purchase isn’t finalized, the family-owned local pizza chain Oregano’s intends to have a location on a 4,000 square-foot-pad within the site along North Valley Parkway.
Oregano’s is one of the tenants set to lease commercial space in Thompson Thrift’s new development on Dove Valley Road.
Along with it’s gourmet cookies, Twisted Sugar offers sodas and milkshakes.
“We have signed a letter of intent to develop an Oregano’s as part of Thompson Thrift’s planned development,” Oregano’s Marketing Manager Nick Sbordone told Valley Vibe in an email. “We are currently negotiating the lease, which is contingent upon the acquisition of the land by Thompson Thrift,” he added.
If all goes according to plan, Sbordone estimates the restaurant could open in summer 2023.
Also listed on the site plan, Twisted Sugar intends to occupy one of the available retail spaces. The chain offers freshly made gourmet cookies and ice cream treats.
Twisted Sugar offers gourmet cookies, sodas and milkshakes.
“The area is fantastic, it’s on fire and we and the tenants feel there is demand in the area for some high quality retailers,” Jake Heims, Thompson Thrift sales director told Valley Vibe, adding, “I can’t wait for this property to close and break ground.”
A closing date has not been set yet, but Heims is optimistic it will take place within the next few months.
Besides Oregano’s, the site plan shows two additional available pads, along with four retail buildings with more than 25,000 square feet available for lease.
“The area is fantastic, it’s on fire and we and the tenants feel there is demand in the area for some high quality retailers.”
Jake Heims–Sales Director, Thompson Thrift
Heims said residents can expect boutiques, some national retailers, as well as retailers offering everyday services and goods to the area.
Also, independent of this development, Quick Quack Car Wash is currently under construction at the southwest corner of North Valley Parkway and Dove Valley Road, with a targeted opening scheduled for early summer 2022.
Multifamily Updates in the Core
(Note: With the addition of North Valley Apartments, roughly 2,500 multifamily units are currently planned/proposed in the North Gateway Village Core.) [See “Explosive Multifamily Growth Headed for North Phoenix,” Valley Vibe January 2022.]
1 Thompson Thrift
The multifamily residential plans for a portion of the developer’s mixed-use commercial site at the 29th Avenue alignment and Dove Valley Road also includes plans for three, four-story multifamily residential buildings totaling 218 units, with a two-story clubhouse, and parking as well as garages. While not yet under construction, existing city zoning is currently in place to allow the mid-rise development to move forward.
Two other proposed multifamily developments were greenlighted by the North Gateway Village Planning Committee at its Jan. 13 meeting, paving the path for both projects to be considered by the City’s zoning department and then on to Phoenix City Council for final approval.
2 North Valley Apartments
A 560-multifamily-unit planned community on roughly 19 acres at the northwest corner of the future 29th Avenue and Bronco Butte Trail alignments. Plans include a clubhouse, two swimming pools, barbeque areas, fitness center, a community garden and a terrace overlooking Skunk Creek Wash.
The proposal for North Valley Apartments is scheduled to be heard by the Phoenix Planning Commission on Feb. 3 and go before City Council on March 2 for final approval.
3 Village at Bronco Trail
A 354-unit development at the southwest corner of the future 29th Avenue and Bronco Butte Trail Alignments, includes a mix of detached and attached rental units on 32 developable acres. Plans call for 126 one-bedroom units, 189 two-bedroom units and 39 three-bedroom units, with a mix of garages and reserved covered parking spaces.
Amenities include a playground, pool, clubhouse, four open space areas and pedestrian connections to the future Skunk Creek Wash Trail.
Initial plans were approved by Phoenix Planning Commission in December, and after reconsideration by the North Gateway Village planning committee in January, the project will advance to City Council for final approval.
Renderings Courtesy North Valley Apartments & Empire Group