Quannah Dallas
Economic Development Department Manager, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

By any measure, 2016 will be outstanding for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Years ago its elected Council limited commercial development to the community’s borders to preserve, for its members and visitors, the open landscape and views of Red Mountain. That plan has successfully guided economic development, which is largely concentrated along the 101 Corridor. Today, 2,470 acres are under 59 active leases, with 10-to-15 inquiries received every month, many from the medical/healthcare sector.

The community’s location, served by the 101 and 202 freeways with accessibility to Scottsdale and Phoenix Sky Harbor airports, is exceptional, as is its reputation for innovation. In 2011, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick opened as the first major league spring training facility on tribal land. It attracted over 333,000 fans in 2016, rating fourth-best on Major League Baseball’s all-time attendance list. In 2012, Marriott International unveiled its first property in Indian Country, the 150-room Courtyard Scottsdale Salt River and, in 2013, Butterfly Wonderland debuted the first butterfly atrium on Native land. All three attractions are located within Talking Stick: A Cultural and Entertainment Destination, an area designated by the Council along the 101 freeway corridor between Chaparral and the Community’s northern boundary. In 2016/17, four more innovative projects will open.

Scottsdale AutoShow at Salt River

• Location: 70 acres along Indian School Rd. west of the 101
• 1st master planned auto mall on Native American land in U.S.
• $60 million project

OdySea in the Desert

• Location: 35 acres at 9500 E. Via de Ventura
• $200 million entertainment attraction with Butterfly Wonderland and Mirror Maze

OdySea Aquarium

• Location: OdySea in the Desert
• Largest aquarium in the Southwest; first on Tribal land
• 200,000-square-feet on a 16-acre site
• 2 million gallons of water with underwater walkways

Pima Market Opens: 2017

• Location: 23.25 acres, 101 and Via de Ventura adjacent to Pima Center
• Office, retail, restaurants and hotel reflecting Pima Center aesthetic

In 2015, Plexus Worldwide headquarters opened its 73,000-square-foot headquarters with a 30,000-square-foot warehouse and fulfillment center at Pima Center. That 209-acre mixed use business park at 101 and Via de Ventura was developed by Main Spring Capital Group. Pima Center is the first commerce center in the region with a consistent set of approved design standards featuring native materials, colors and artwork reflective of the desert culture.

Commercial real estate management and development along the west side of the 101 Corridor from Chaparral to McDonald Drive is overseen by Salt River Devco, an enterprise of the community. Devco was created by the Council in 2000 to support the community’s investment in real estate.

According to Vince Lujan, President and CEO, 2016 has been a great year. He stated that we have 99 percent occupancy in our six office buildings at Chaparral Business Center and, on the development side, are working with multiple prospects. We hope our negotiations will lead to development of the majority of vacant land within Chaparral Business Center. Our current plans include new office space, retail, and a second hotel, projects that could break ground within the next 18-to-24 months. We are definitely excited about our future.

Looking forward, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community continues to welcome high quality development and developers who understand they are making a commitment to the community and its landowners for the long term.

Quannah Dallas brings more than 8 years of experience in economic development and leasing in Indian Country to her position as Economic Development Division Manager for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC). For more information about the SRPMIC, please visit www.srpmic-nsn.gov.

Commercial 360° Seminar

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016  –  9:00 AM TO 12:30 PM

This seminar is for anyone wanting to learn about growth and development in Arizona.

Learn from industry leaders regarding Arizona and Salt River Pima economic development, land availability, trust land funds, energy and water plans as well as a current market update – hear how all these factors effect the state’s growth and the real estate industry. Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell will also provide some detail on how projects in Tempe are creating a positive influence for the state of Arizona.

Tuition: $40

Credit: 3 hrs. Legal Issues