By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX
The Town of Gilbert recently issued a Request for Proposals for a development firm to build a small-scale, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use project within the Heritage District.
The 2.18-acre site at the NWC of Gilbert and Elliot Roads, known as the South Anchor, is located in an opportunity zone and will serve as the gateway entrance to the Heritage District and the Lacy Tract neighborhood. The South Anchor was identified as a key project in the Town of Gilbert’s 2018 Redevelopment Plan.
The town and the Heritage Village Center zoning district encourages a mix of uses including retail, service, office, lodging, entertainment, high-density lofts above residential, public and cultural uses.
“The design of this site should demonstrate strong urban design that engages people generating uses, as well as being sensitive and accessible to the adjacent neighborhood,” according to the RFP. “Gilbert desires a site where people have a sense of arrival at the south end of the Heritage District with development that engages the street and site access balances the needs of cars, bicycles, pedestrians and transit users.”
The RFP also states that the project must be a safe, walkable, development to serve surrounding areas like the Boys and Girls Club, churches and residential neighborhoods. The project should also maximize the potential success of businesses choosing to be part of the project.
Certain uses that the town is not looking for is ground floor residential, suburban or garden-style multifamily, surface parking lots, buildings higher than two stories with no step-backs and architecture that goes against design guidelines.
While shared parking will be accommodated, a shared parking structure is also highly encouraged.
A virtual pre-submittal conference will be held at 9:00 a.m. on August 5th. Questions pertaining to the site will be due by 5:00 p.m. on August 12th and the town will issue an addendum with all answered questions by August 17th. All interested firms must submit their proposals no later than 2:00 p.m. on October 11th.
The town anticipates going forward with interviews the week of November 1st through November 8th.
