Cave Creek approves plan for shopping center near Walmart site

With the groundbreaking for a new Walmart in Cave Creek on the horizon, the Town Council unanimously approved a site plan for a shopping center just north of the big-box retailer's site.

The plan for Black Mountain Plaza, a 100,000-square-foot commercial retail center on the southeastern corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road, includes three "junior" anchors, shops and stand-alone buildings. The shopping center would have access points from Carefree Highway, Cave Creek Road and 56th Street.

Landowner Robert Bullington and his family acquired the 14 acres more than 20 years ago. Walmart's Supercenter, set to break ground in November, will occupy 124,000 square feet of space south of the property.

Paul Gilbert, a zoning attorney with Scottsdale-based Beus Gilbert PLLC who represents Bullington, said the landowner would like to see high-quality retail and restaurant tenants at Black Mountain Plaza. The success of the shopping center is integral to Walmart, he said.

"The Walmart parcel will produce a lot of traffic, and we can benefit from that traffic," he said. "People may want to shop at Walmart and then shop or eat at Black Mountain Plaza."

The property was rezoned from commercial core to general commercial earlier this year.

Gilbert said the project could have been developed earlier, but the property didn't have access to water or sewer. With the infrastructure that will come with the new Walmart, Gilbert said, it was time to move forward with the project.

"The Walmart improvements will really help the Bullington parcel," he said.

As the Walmart moves closer to groundbreaking, there have been a number of town-generated initiatives to facilitate the development of land in the area.

Last month, the council changed the land use of two parcels from desert rural to mixed use. The developments signify new growth in the rural Northeast Valley, which traditionally has been protective of its open spaces.

Planning Director Ian Cordwell said when Walmart comes to town, development will come with it. "There will be development in the area eventually," he said. "We're not sure when, but it's better to be prepared when it happens."

Mayor Vincent Francia said that the Bullington property will attract a lot of attention from businesses that thrive alongside similar retailers on the Walmart store is built.

"Walmart is not the answer to the salvation of Cave Creek, but it is a stepping-stone," he said. "The Bullington property is also a stepping-stone."

by Philip Haldiman The Arizona Republic Oct. 9, 2010 02:37 PM




Cave Creek approves plan for shopping center near Walmart site