Kierland Commons is not only an urban village perfect for leisurely, luxury shopping and fine dining, it's also an economic boom for Phoenix's struggling economy.
Quality substantial retail development is a very critical part of the Phoenix economic development plan that the City Council adopted in 2002. This means that generating additional sales tax dollars is critical for our city now and into the future. Northeast Phoenix is an important area to focus attention in order to attract retail development and Kierland Commons and its surrounding resorts are just what Phoenix needs. For example, Kierland Commons has about 50 retailers, including office tenants, restaurants, apparel and home furnishing and it is anticipated the area will generate $2.4 million annually in city sales tax. With the overwhelming success of Kierland housing, high-end retail and hotel, it is only natural to expect that the latest proposed project of housing and retail should add to the success of the area.
The J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa opened November 30. The 950-room luxury resort is Arizona's largest, offering two eighteen-hole championship golf courses and 170,000 sq. feet of meeting and event space. The resort employs approximately 1300 people and features ten distinctive dining experiences. This is the first resort property built from the ground up to garner the J.W. Marriott resort moniker, and only the third resort in the United States to share the coveted name.
The 735 room Westin Kierland Resort and Spa opened in northeast Phoenix in early November. The full-service resort employs approximately 975 people and is immediately adjacent to the 38-acre Kierland Commons specialty retail development featuring shops, boutiques and restaurants. Among the resort amenities is the Troon-managed world-class golf club and a full conference center.
I'm incredibly pleased with this development and the prospect of other projects in District 2. I look forward to building on the growth that's occurring and attracting more retail development. With the performance-based retail sales tax agreements we've established, we're really partners in improving this area and really making things happen along Scottsdale Road and in Northeast Phoenix.
If you have any questions about this area or any other issues in District 2, don't hesitate to call my office or send an e-mail. You are also invited to join me at my monthly Issues & Info breakfasts and learn about topics that impact your neighborhood and family. You are always invited to take the opportunity to ask questions about issues that are important to you. The next one is 7 a.m. Friday, Mar. 21 at Jillian's at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 22001 N. Tatum Blvd. I hope to see you there.
Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which encompasses most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at (602) 262-7445 or via e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.
