By BEX Staff for AZBEX
Developer Vestar has begun a series of meetings to acquaint the public with its plans for a 195-acre mixed-use development south of Palo Brea, near the Harrah’s casino in Maricopa.
A local news outlet reported Vestar’s plans for the undeveloped Maricopa Towne Center site include a grocery store, full-service restaurants and, potentially, multifamily residential and other commercial outlets. Vestar representatives say the final vision is not fully decided, and the project will be designed with “whatever best meets community needs.”
Materials shown with the article show a conceptual use plan for a development called Avalea that includes 24 acres of non-residential, 30 acres of single-family and four acres of multifamily development.
Attendees of the April 10 open house expressed concerns about apartments so close to existing residences near Palo Brea, Maricopa’s pace of multifamily development in general, possible traffic and infrastructure impacts, and potential harm to the “small-town feel” of the area.
Vestar plans to hold more public meetings as its plans solidify and expects to finalize entitlements by year-end. No final timeline has been decided, but representatives say portions could open by 2028 if plans and processes go smoothly.
