Phoenix breaks ground on Innovation 27 workforce and business hub

Phoenix city officials and education and industry partners held a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday for Innovation 27, the city’s planned business and workforce collaborative that will reuse a former big-box store on 20th Avenue as a training, entrepreneurship and community hub.

City of Phoenix economic development staff said the project is the product of years of planning and public input and will host training programs in advanced manufacturing, construction trades, biosciences and semiconductors as well as space for employers and community programs. “It takes time to get things right,” said Chris Mackey, a member of the city’s community and economic development team.

The project will be operated with multiple public and academic partners, officials said. Mayor Kate Gallego, who spoke at the ceremony, said Innovation 27 will connect learners of all ages to career pathways: “Phoenix, the jobs of the future start at Innovation 27.”

Nut graf: City officials described Innovation 27 as an adaptive-reuse workforce hub meant to link training, employers and community services in West Phoenix. Speakers said federal, state and city funding and partnerships with Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Maricopa Community Colleges, the Washington Elementary School District and other organizations will support programming and operations.

Officials and partners outlined program goals, partners and site improvements. Lucetta Hogan, deputy director of business and workforce for the City of Phoenix, described the role of the ArizonaWORK (statewide workforce network) partnership and the city’s local workforce board in connecting job seekers with employers, saying the site will be used for sector-based training and employer recruitment. Hogan said ArizonaWORK and the city will support talent sourcing as companies locate and construction progresses.

Speakers from higher education described plans to deliver nondegree training and stacked credential pathways. A speaker from Northern Arizona University said the site will host a three-year accredited engineering technology degree in semiconductor manufacturing and fabrication, and Arizona State University representatives said ASU will provide nondegree skilling and other programmatic support.

Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who led early advocacy for redevelopment of the site, framed Innovation 27 as a project focused on opportunity and neighborhood change. “This project means it's a project of hope,” Guardado said, adding that she hopes the center will provide alternatives to students who cannot afford university and help change perceptions of the area.

Design and construction partners described the site design and sustainability features. Martha De Prasaula Abart of Gensler said the project features inclusive, resilient design tied to workforce and community needs. Barry Chase of the Chase Building Team, the general contractor, said his firm will carry out the adaptive reuse of the former retail building.

City and private partners also announced site improvements and donations. The project team said the existing asphalt parking area will be replaced with a “parking garden” featuring trees and shade; Christine (Christine Mackey/Chris Mackey) and others announced that Moon Valley Nursery will donate $100,000 worth of trees to the site. The city’s funding commitment was described by an ASU speaker as “26 plus million dollars,” and speakers said the project benefits from a mix of federal, state and city funding and planned city bond issuance.

Washington Elementary School District Superintendent (Dr.) Santon described the district’s interest in the site and noted the building’s personal connection: he said he worked at the Kmart when he was younger and that the site sits behind a district school. He described the district as serving about 33 schools and 20,000 students and said the center will be important to families in the area.

The ceremony included a staged, symbolic groundbreaking; speakers did not present a new ordinance or vote at the event. City officials and partners urged continued community involvement as programming and construction advance.

Ending: Officials said program planning and construction will continue and that education and workforce partners will flesh out course offerings and employer connections as the project moves from design into construction and operations. No construction schedule or start date was provided during the ceremony.