Auto Malls to Boost Southeast Valley Development with Walmart and Sam's Club on Board

Two grand-scale auto malls could soon rev up development in the Southeast Valley, thanks to plans put forth by Berge Auto Group and Horne Auto Group. The projects, eyed for the vicinity of the new State Route 24, are advancing through the necessary city and county approval channels. According to the Business Journal, these proposals include not only auto dealerships but also retail and multifamily units, with one of America's retail behemoths, Walmart, proposing a large-format store complete with a multitude of services to complement the burgeoning trade area.

Walmart Inc. has submitted pre-submittal documents for a potential 171,000-square-foot retail center, which would nestle itself strategically on a 17.6-acre parcel amidst the auto mall development. Sean Lake of Pew & Lake PLC filed the plans on behalf of the retail titan. This move aims to diversify the auto mall's offerings and is sure to draw in a wide consumer base, eager to take advantage of the convenience and variety of a Walmart within arm's reach of their car shopping endeavors. Both auto malls are seeking to transform vacant land near Signal Butte Road and State Route 24 into a hotspot for automotive sales and related services, according to ABC15.

Aside from the drive-thru pharmacy and auto care center, the proposed Walmart will feature 773 parking spaces, including provisions for ADA compliance. "Walmart is eager to develop one of its most modern prototypical stores at this location in Mesa. The Walmart store will provide additional retail choices to the residents in southeast Mesa while providing important sales tax revenue to the City as a whole," detailed the pre-submittal application. With 112 Walmart stores throughout Arizona and 12 already in Mesa, this addition could to further cement the retail giant's foothold in the region.

On the flip side, another exciting announcement comes from Sam's Club, a Walmart division, which is setting its sight on a new location at Tempe Marketplace, slated for early 2025, as reported by the Business Journal. The sprawling auto mall projects stand to bring more than just gleaming cars and convenience shopping to the Southeast Valley. Walt Brown Jr., founder, CEO, and designated broker at Diversified Partners LLC, expressed an infectious enthusiasm earlier in March, stating, "We have never seen more tenant excitement about a trade area." He underscored the transformative potential of the State Route 24 extension, emphasizing its benefit to housing, job growth, employment opportunities, and ease of access.

Both Berge Auto Mall and Horne's Gateway Auto Mall hit a significant milestone on June 22 with requests for zoning changes, a crucial step towards making these visions a reality. The final decision now lies with the Planning & Zoning Board and the Mesa City Council, which are set to bring these proposals to a final vote in the coming weeks.