Consistently ranked one of the fastest growing communities in the state and nation, Queen Creek is keeping pace by continuing its downtown development efforts.

“Queen Creek’s strong population growth and strategic planning have created the demand for significant development, particularly in the Town Center,” stated Queen Creek Economic Development Director Doreen Cott in a press release. “We are excited to see the growing interest in our downtown core that will complement our existing businesses and enhance the area that has historically served as the hub of the community.”

Queen Creek’s downtown core extends from south of Victoria Lane along Ellsworth Road to the Queen Creek Wash and is bound on the west side by Ellsworth Loop Road. The heart of the downtown core, Ocotillo and Ellsworth was the town’s first major intersection and had Queen Creek’s first traffic signal, the release stated.

The town is working to develop a walkable downtown by creating urban blocks that establish shorter walks from one place to another with areas of interest along the way, according to the release.

Queen Creek is investing in this public infrastructure through the construction of three downtown core connectors – Aldecoa Drive, Munoz Street and Summers Place. Along with providing connectivity between Ellsworth Loop and Ellsworth Road, the new roadways will include traffic calming mechanisms and public angled parking, as well as amenities adjacent to the roadways such as shade structures and seating, the release stated.

New business venues are already being developed as a result of the town’s Investment in public infrastructure in downtown. They include:

• The Perch Brewery and restaurant will be building a 16,000-square-foot brewery and restaurant with the potential for an additional 30,000 square feet of restaurant/retail uses.
• Badlands Bar and Grill is also underway, slated to open later this year at the southwest corner of Ellsworth and Ocotillo.
• The Barn Bar Courtyards will feature locally owned restaurants and shops inside repurposed shipping containers.
• The Sacred Pint Taproom will serve craft beer and wine as patrons play shuffleboard and darts. 

To support revitalization of existing buildings in the downtown core, the town has a façade improvement program that will match street-facing investments, the report stated. 

To help the community stay updated on the various developments in the downtown, a new interactive map is available that highlights the various amenities, new developments and development opportunities.