Queen Creek staff outlines downtown core investments, new restaurants and mixed‑use project

The Planning and Zoning Commission received an update on downtown development in Queen Creek at its work study session, including newly opened connector roadways, event-ready parcels, incoming restaurants and a closed real‑estate transaction for a mixed‑use project.

The downtown core update, presented by Doreen Cott, the town’s economic development director, described recently opened connector roadways — Munoz and Aldecoa — that link Old Ellsworth Road to the Loop and a temporary roadway called Summers Place. Town staff have striped and prepped the land between the new roadways to host special events and to provide additional parking near the municipal center.

Cott said the town owns the parcel between the two new roadways and that, when council directs, staff will issue a request for proposals (RFP) for development of that land. Summers Place currently functions as a temporary roadway while the town prepares the site for future development.

Cott listed several private and town‑led projects near the downtown core. Badlands Bar and Grill has opened in the space formerly occupied by Queen Creek Cafe and Lone Star. A tap room called the Sacred Pint is undergoing tenant improvements in a former U‑Haul building; its owners also operate Old Ellsworth Broom Company. The Perch, a two‑story restaurant and brewery concept from a Chandler owner, has pulled permits and is finalizing financing, Cott said.

Cott said the town concluded a real‑estate transaction with a selected developer, identified in the presentation as LG E Creation, to assemble several parcels — including town‑owned land and three privately owned parcels along Ocotillo — for a mixed‑use development. She said the project will include luxury multifamily rental product, professional office space, and restaurant and retail tenants. Confirmed restaurant commitments she named in the presentation were Snooze, Postino’s and Shake Shack.

Cott also described a prospective tenant called the Rusty Buckle Saloon that is in due diligence for a long‑vacant site at the northwest corner of Ellsworth and Ocotillo, and a Homewood Suites hotel on a town‑owned parcel north of the downtown core that remains delayed pending financing, specifically an SBA loan issue, but is expected to start construction once financing is resolved.

Cott acknowledged financing is a constraint for multiple developers and said the town is exercising patience while projects finalize funding. She closed by noting staff will return with updates and answer questions from the commission.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions, including about timelines and parking; staff did not announce specific groundbreaking dates for most projects beyond saying some developers expect to start construction in the coming weeks once financing and permitting are complete.

The presentation noted staff are coordinating infrastructure and special events work to help activate the downtown corridors and to encourage pedestrian activity around the municipal center and the new roadways.