Upon entering Fountain Hills, one is met with a retail plaza that is more than half vacant. This exhibits a misrepresentation of the town as a whole and paints a bleak picture to visitors. Thanks to the hard-working and forward-thinking town staff collaborating with the developer, we are greeted with a fantastic opportunity to provide a catalyst and revitalize this failing shopping center.
Businesses in town continually struggle finding consistent employees and patrons. The town desperately needs additional revenue to fix our aging infrastructure. Approving this project would be a good start to rectifying these concerns.
Opponents raise objections regarding traffic, density and apartments in general. The complex is estimated to create less traffic than if the plaza was fully leased. Regardless, Shea Boulevard is a six-lane artery that will easily accommodate this proposal. Existing apartment complexes in town do not create gridlocks and those are on much narrower roads. Naysayers are also proposing a commerce center as an alternative – there are two vacant lots directly behind the plaza much larger than the lot in question that can fulfill this suggestion.
The property provides a rare opportunity for development with minimal impact to neighbors, arterial infrastructure in place and is mainly hidden from street view. The built-in parking garage is also Dark Sky friendly and will create less light pollution than the existing plaza.
Fountain Hills residents recently approved a General Plan that has verbiage aiming to tackle exactly what is proposed (“Direct higher-density residential and mixed-used development to…areas such as Shea Corridor.”). Just a few months ago, the council also unanimously approved an Economic Plan that aims to create “a collaboration with Four Peaks Plaza to redevelop it into a mixed-use property.” Let's all come together to heed what voters requested and get this smart plan for redevelopment approved.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
