If you haven't visited San Tan Village in Gilbert, try to do so. It's similar to Kierland in Scottsdale, with a big improvement; they laid out the main streets north south, so the sun exposure would be minimized. It's an eclectic mix of department stores, movie theaters,cafes, national chain boutiques and restaurants, and a few unique shops here and there.The whole thing is outdoors, and fun to stroll through. In time, there will be apartment and townhouse developments nearby, in addition to some complexes a little farther away.
What if someone actually lived there? What if there were 2-4 story apartments over some of the stores and restaurants, or mixed in between.Sure, parking would have to be thought out, but this could be a real village, with villagers. People who would just have to go downstairs to have a latte or a meal, or buy a newspaper. Eventually, the whole commercial mix would change, with a deli or two, more breakfast type places, probably smaller watering holes, a few shops not part of a chain- in short, a nice downtown.
Gilbert is not a town that never sleeps, but San Tan Village could be a place which goes to bed late. Many of the people who will be buying or renting near San Tan Village would perhaps have enjoyed the chance to actually live in it.It's a concept being dusted off in Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale, apparently successfully.The cost of the very extensive security could have been spread out to many more occupants, which might have been good for rent prices.
It's not something San Tan Village can retrofit; however, it's something the next developer of a project such as this might want to think about.
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