172-unit Multifamily Project Proposed for PHX Site

By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX 
The site of a former Sears Parts and Repair store just west of the SWC of 18th Street and McDowell Road in Phoenix is proposed to be redeveloped into a new multifamily mixed-use project called The Governor by Moderne. 
Developer, Moderne Apartments, LLC submitted plans to the City of Phoenix and is requesting to rezone the approximately 2.88-acre site to a Planned Unit Development in order to allow the five-story development. 
The name, The Governor is a tribute to Arizona’s first Governor, George W.P. Hunt, as his mansion was first developed on that site in the early 1900’s. It was demolished in 1951 and redeveloped into the commercial building that stands today. According to the documents submitted to the city, “The proposed design will repurpose the existing building, while offering a synergistic land use and respecting the character of the Miracle Mile Commercial District.” 
The Governor by Moderne is proposed as a 172-unit, 175KSF multifamily development composed of a mix of 64 studio, 68 one- and 40 two-bedroom units. The mixed-use component will be in the form of 2.4KSF ground-floor retail. The residential units will be housed in four levels above the ground floor retail and a one-story podium parking structure. 
A mural/architectural feature is expected to be placed facing McDowell Road at the northern street frontage, and will, “encompass a minimum of five percent of this façade.” 
“The intent is to utilize the Storefront frontage type along McDowell Road and the Stoop and Door well frontage types along Brill Street,” the documents state. 
The project will include a minimum of five amenities, according to the documents, and may include a conference room, fitness center, barbeque area with ramadas and fire pit, lawn games and dog park. 
A total of 213 parking spaces and 44 bicycle spaces will be provided for residents on site, which will include 30 surface parking spaces and 183 garage spaces. 11 additional on-street parking spaces on Brill Street will also be provided. 
The project still needs to go before the City of Phoenix Planning Commission and City Council for approval.