Gilbert, AZ is on the move with its oldest fire station, Station 4, set for a rebuild to cater to a growing population and soaring emergency calls, as detailed by ABC15. Gilbert officials are determined to ensure residents won't be left waiting when danger knocks, planning an expansion of Station 4 near Ray and Lindsay roads and boosting the bedroom count to handle fire crews across shifts.
But that's not all, Gilbert's fire department is gearing for a busy future with the area's emergency call volume on the rise; they've also got eyes on updates to Station 2 anticipated in 2026, including 13 new hires, the strain a booming population is putting on local resources. Chief Rob Duggan, proactive measures which include strategizing with town planners for possibly adding a smaller station downtown, adapting to denser urban needs with shorter fire trucks designed for tight spaces, and preparing for new types of mixed-use buildings, according to a statement obtained by ABC15.
Adding fuel to the town's transformation, the Phoenix Business Journal reports a nod to Gilbert's evolution from a "pass-through" locality to a buzzing hub with an appealing workforce; local businesses like 910 West high-tech marketing firm are seeing this shift firsthand. Gilbert has married this restaurant renaissance with a conscious effort to retain its small-town charm, an approach which Mayor Jenn Daniels believes is essential to the town's identity.
Yet, with a significant population leap from 5,700 in 1980 to over 237,100 in 2016 and a highly educated resident base, Gilbert is well-positioned as a cheaper alternative to its more costly neighbors, boasting office rents below those in downtown Phoenix and central Scottsdale, nevertheless, this surge in popularity is nudging prices upward which might stress the town's small businesses. As the town diversifies from its bedroom-community reputation, aiming to infuse its downtown core with more office space, retail, and potentially more hospitality and residential buildings, it's a play to balance growth with charm, in a statement by Mayor Daniels, shared by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Gilbert isn't resting on its laurels though—the town is buzzing with new developments, like LGE Design Build's plans for a mixed-use building downtown, and it's also drawing major employers such as Orbital ATK and GoDaddy that acknowledge the town's appeal and growth potential, the latter investing $15 million in its Gilbert operations as reported by Phoenix Business Journal. Amidst all this growth, Gilbert still faces the challenge of pitching itself to millennials and employers who are enticed by urban centers even as it continues to expand its job market and commercial landscape.
