10 August 4 - 17, 2007
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Downtown from Page 1
and Kreipke states that once plans are approved, they Kreipke and partner Michael Hogarty plan to get town. It’s an area that people can be proud of and that
will work to complete the projects “as aggressively as started on next spring. represents Chandler.”
possible,” and may implement a phased roll-out plan. “This is a mission-style, contemporary southwest-
The company has already spoken with numerous style project that is two and three stories,” says Kreipke. Museum important link to past
interested businesses. The new 25- to 30,000-square-foot Chandler History
“We’ve had some initial discussions with a variety of Museum will include permanent displays and space
tenants, but it’s way too early to announce anything,” for traveling exhibits from other museums such as the
says Kreipke. Smithsonian Institute. Former Chandler Mayor Jim
Other new residential space downtown includes Patterson, president of the Chandler Historical Society,
54 urban-style townhomes at 123 Washington, in believes this new museum will play an important role
phase one of two on the southeast corner of Chandler in drawing even more people to the downtown area
Boulevard and Washington Street, one block east of while connecting Chandler residents with the city’s
Arizona Avenue. Dwellers are already moving into past.
the Benton Robb development, which only has a few “I think people really want to know that the history of
remaining for sale. Phase two is expected to begin their community is being preserved,” states Patterson.
following rezoning on the corner of Arizona Avenue “We’ve got a lot of new people in Chandler that I think
and Chandler Boulevard. are very interested to know about the community
STSN photo by Gordon Murray
they’ve chosen to live and work and play in.”
GOING UP: San Marcos Commons, a residential townhome
This new museum is the culmination of work started
community, is taking shape in downtown Chandler. Residents are
expected to start moving in later this year.
in the early 1980s when Patterson was Chandler’s
mayor and the City Council prioritized additional
“It will feature a four- to fi ve-story clock tower on the support for the museum including an extensive oral
corner of Buffalo and Chandler Boulevard and will history project.
really complement what’s already in the downtown Voters passed bond approval providing $8.5 million
area.” for a new facility in 2004. But as Patterson and others
Desert Viking’s involvement in downtown leading the effort for a new museum did further
Chandler’s redevelopment began 11 years ago, a time research and visited historical museums in other cities,
when Kreipke remembers most of the area had been they recognized a need to think bigger. In addition to
“boarded up for years.” Early projects included the exhibit space, they discovered the importance of other
historic Monroe building and the old post offi ce, recommended elements including increased storage
STSN photo by Gordon Murray which now houses local favorites such as La Stalla and workspace, classrooms, community meeting
ALMOST SOLD OUT: Only a few townhouses are available at the
Cucina Rustica and the former Cupid’s, which will rooms and administrative offi ces.
new 123 Washington development, complete with pool.
soon become Sushi Eye. Kreipke believes strongly in “You don’t get a chance to build a museum maybe
Desert Viking is also currently building San Marcos the importance of working with the City of Chandler once every decade or two, or even to do remodeling,”
Commons, a community of 79 townhomes on the to develop the historic area. Patterson says. “You’ve got to make sure you’re
southwest corner of Chandler Boulevard and Arizona “Every city needs a core area to remember how the building a museum large enough to get you down the
Avenue. The development plans also includes 150,000 town started, and to be proud of and create a sense road.”
square feet of retail, offi ce, and restaurant space which of community, and really represent the history of this
See Downtown Page 11
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