New Commerce Park Breaks Ground Along Loop 202 & 40th Street

By Gila River Indian News Staff

The Gila River Indian Community continues to attract new partners and economic activity to the Wild Horse Pass area, with construction underway on Trammell Crow Company’s Akimel Gateway commerce park, a 59-acre project being built on the southwest corner of the Loop 202 freeway and 40th Street.

Among the new occupants: Spencer’s TV & Appliance. The Valley-based appliance giant has chosen Akimel Gateway as the site of its new corporate headquarters and distribution center.

“The South Mountain Loop 202 corridor continues to attract enormous interest in multiple contexts,” said Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis. “Trammell Crow’s Akimel Gateway project is an exciting development, along with the recently announced 3,300-acre master plan development of Wild Horse Pass, the Community’s ongoing casino and hotel expansion and the new soccer stadium built to accommodate the Phoenix Rising Football Club. I can’t think of a more dynamic spot in the Valley right now – or a better location for business.”

Cathy Thuringer, Managing Director of TCC’s Phoenix office, called the location on the Community “a game-changer for businesses that require easy access to the East and West Valley without having to cut through downtown Phoenix.” 

Thuringer said the five-building complex – built in partnership with Allstate Insurance Company and lender Alliance Bank of Arizona – was named Akimel Gateway after consultation with members of the Community. 

“It was incredibly important to us to honor and respect the Community’s culture,” said Thuringer. “Our naming process represents an important step in working with the Community, and we look forward to many more steps together in this new partnership.”

Rick Biederbeck, President of employee-owned Spencer’s TV & Appliance, also spoke of the Community’s central location as a major selling point for the company. Spencer’s has 10 retail locations throughout metropolitan Phoenix area.

“When you’re serving customers to the east in Mesa and Gilbert and to the west in Glendale, Goodyear and Arrowhead, a site that provides access to the greater Phoenix metro area is a must,” said Biederbeck.

The four buildings not occupied by Spencer’s are being developed speculatively in a joint venture between Trammell Crow and Allstate. Together, the buildings will measure more than 519,000 square feet, with a design suitable for light manufacturing companies, electrical, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing or lighting suppliers, or for use as an e-commerce center. Construction on Akimel Gateway is scheduled to be complete this December.