Growing in Gilbert

We have some dear friends moving to Gilbert (hopefully in Morrison Ranch) and as we've watched them do the house-hunting drill the last few days, I've been reminded of some of the positive aspects of Gilbert and of our neighborhood.

The house itself is usually the primary issue when couples look for their next home. It must meet the needs of the family at that time, in space and living area, and also in amenities such as pools and playrooms. The environment around the house is generally next on the list. If there are children, school choice becomes important, both for academics and for extracurricular opportunities. And there is always the question of proximity to the wage-earner's place of employment.

When The Mister began to envision Morrison Ranch, he declined to delve into the designs of floor plans of homes. He figured that home builders make their profits by making their customers happy, and the demand would dictate the floor plans. He was more interested in developing the community around the houses, encouraging folks to be involved with neighbors as they picked up their mail or walked the dog or threw a ball with the kids. Even though community is not usually at the top of the list of prospective home-buyers, there is a way to enhance that feel and promote the opportunity for folks to get to know one another. What we do with the opportunity is up to us.

So as our friends were house-hunting, we found it is actually possible to feel the difference in communities, especially if you are on the look-out for the differences. I am, without a doubt, one of the biggest cheerleaders for Morrison Ranch; how could I not? But there are also other communities in Gilbert - I am thrilled to say! - that promote community and neighborhood.

In a perfect world, the job opportunities would be very close to the desired community. There is some good news on that front, as The AZ Republic points out today:

One of Gilbert’s newest business parks is expected to generate at least 800 highly skilled jobs, town officials said.

“That’s pretty substantial,” said John Zupon, a business development specialist for the town.

The Reserve at San Tan, a 350,000 square-foot office and flex-space development under way near Gilbert and Germann roads, will provide an additional boost to an area of east Gilbert that’s rich with highly paid professionals, Zupon said.

Phoenix-based developer Orsett Properties is working on the first of several construction phases and expects to finish the first 155,000 square feet by the end of the year.

The first phase costs $29 million and project officials said it could eventually host a hotel.

Our own business park gets a mention later in the article:

Other business parks that are expected to draw some lucrative jobs include the Morrison Ranch Power Tech Center near Elliot and Power roads, and Banner Gateway Medical Center and its adjacent campus at Higley Road and U.S. 60. Tracy Clark, an economist with the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, said Gilbert has passed the threshold from a bedroom community to an area that draws wealthy families and companies based on its own attractiveness.

That's what I'm talking about.