In January 2020, we were all enjoying momentum. The Greater Phoenix region in particular had strong economic growth in jobs, home values, wages, and many other metrics, and new opportunities seemed to abound, especially in the West Valley.
The Surprise Center Development Company was equally optimistic in January 2020. At our City Center property in Surprise, we were working on closing two sizable residential deals as well as a full- service hotel project with meeting space, restaurants and a resort pool; a movie theater project with restaurants and retail; lakes and regional retention; and implementation of the master plan that the community came together and helped create.
As Harold MacMillan, witty U.K. Prime Minister from 1950s, is purported to have said in response to a question about the biggest thing that could derail progress, “Events, dear boy, events.”
We have experienced events. These are certainly not in our control, but how we respond to them most definitely is, and I can affirm we are steadfast in our approach and in sync with the solid leadership at Surprise City Hall.
Between the Kansas City Royals deal which just broke ground, a new, high-end four-story housing project, the completion of the Texas Rangers housing project and sports lab, the Ottawa campus growth, additional retail on Bell and two additional projects in escrow, we are in the process of realizing nearly $100,000,000 of capital investment in the Surprise City Center over a 36-month period.
This is an exceptional achievement. These are not things that have happened haphazardly or by accident, but by measured improvements and strategic investments, each one a piece of the larger puzzle.
Developing a square mile of property the size of downtown Phoenix is not something that happens quickly, nor should it. We have a city council and city leadership that understands the importance of patience while pushing for quality, the critical nature of growing and preserving natural resources, especially water, and they also understand regional cooperation and regional job growth, and how to leverage city assets and minimize use of your tax dollars and scarce resources.
Nothing about this is easy, especially given recent “events.” Our next push is to fulfill the vision of bringing additional gathering places to the City Center. This model has had to change dramatically in the last 15 years.
First, retail changed forever due to online shopping, and retail and entertainment shifted heavily towards food users. Now restaurants are in a state of uncertainty due to social distancing, which, while we tell ourselves might be over soon, the restaurant model may still need to adapt as a result.
Movie theaters and entertainment are going to change as well. We are working with a group to develop a model that takes all the recent changes and challenges into account in order to develop something uniquely Surprise.
We are also taking a different approach with a portion of the land. We enjoy hearing how Surprise residents love seeing the cattle and horses on the property, and the horse selfies are entertaining.
To build on that, we are working to create special spaces with sustainable lakes as part of a small, urban organic farming operation that will also be active event space. The idea of supporting food security, farm-to-table organic produce, a farmers market, and permanent use of sustainable water sources in an urban area is intriguing and we believe something that will set the Surprise City Center apart.
Progress has not stopped. Our Surprise partnership is strong and growing stronger. New opportunities are on the horizon, and we have the ability to work closely with city staff to discern those uses that would be additive, and those that would not.
We are always pleased to meet with the community about progress, plans, challenges and opportunities. For a city that was 30,000 people 20 short years ago, experienced one of the longest impacts of the Great Recession from 2007 to 2014, and has experienced the same growing pains experienced by every other high- growth city, this Surprise is hitting way above its weight class and is getting ready for more success, no matter what events come our way.
Editor's Note: Mr. Phillips is vice president for Carefree Partners, the owners of most of the remaining land in the City Center.
