Landmark Homes broke ground on a planned three-story townhome development near downtown Thursday.
Center 8 Townhomes will be located at Roosevelt Street and Ninth Avenue, a few minutes from the Roosevelt Row arts district and the downtown area.
Ken Johnson, vice president of strategic marketing for Landmark Homes, said that after surveying different areas, the company really liked the greenery in the area.
“It felt home-y and comfortable,” he said.
This influx of development doesn’t come as a surprise to those who live in the area. District 7 Councilman Michael Nowakowski, who was present at the groundbreaking, said that it’s something the city has prepared for through the years.
“We created this whole triangle of arts and culture that stretches from Roosevelt Row to Grand Avenue, including many new businesses and restaurants,” Nowakowski said, claiming that 45 restaurants were built within the last 8 years.
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Richard Heath Jr., account executive at Pride Guide Arizona, a business guide that caters to the LGBTQ community, is on board with the development that is happening in the area.
“It’s going to bring a lot more people down here,” Heath said.
Johnson credited the influx of students and the area’s access to public transportation for making this an attractive place for investment.
“It really is becoming a desirable place to live and play,” Johnson said. “The play was missing before.”
Nowakowski said the ASU and University of Arizona campuses have really changed the dynamic of the people walking the streets of downtown.
“The liveliness and the vibrancy, it’s the students who brought this down here,” Nowakowski said.
He said the older generation has also been drawn to the downtown area because of the amenities.
“They want to hop on the light rail and try these great restaurants,” Nowakowski said.
“The area is going to grow like wildfire,” he said.
Contact the reporter at stevenh1895@gmail.com.
