New Heritage District entry work underway

Jun. 17—Work crews are clearing away the remnants of what was once Neely Traditional Academy to make way for a road project that will provide another access to the Heritage District and help improve traffic circulation in Gilbert's downtown.

Vaughn Avenue, which now dead ends at the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, will be extended northwest to Neely Street along the east side of the tracks.

"The design phase of Vaughn Ventilator is anticipated to be completed in fall 2024," spokeswoman Jennifer Harrison said. "Construction of the project is anticipated to last approximately 15 months once construction begins."

Council on Tuesday, June 18, is expected to approve the acquisition of rights-of-way and easements for the Heritage District project.

It includes a roundabout and two monuments along the extension: An "H" monument will sit in the middle of the roundabout and a "Heritage District" monument sign not too far from it, alerting drivers that they are entering downtown.

"A roundabout was selected for the project to efficiently move traffic at slow speeds into and out of the Heritage District and to allow for a potential future connection to the southern segment of Neely Street." Harrison said.

"It is important to note that there are no current plans to connect Neely Street across the Union Pacific Railroad, but it is a long-range goal for the area."

In the current project, Neely Street between the tracks and Guadalupe Road will be shifted to the west but will remain a two-way street with some on-street parking along the west side. Additionally, landscaping and a 14-foot-wide multi-use path are planned for the east side of the existing Neely Street.

When the extension debuts in spring 2025, it's expected to take pressure off of Gilbert Road, the only main road that is the entrance and exit for the downtown.

Gilbert Road is reaching maximum capacity with the average daily traffic increasing significantly due to local and regional commuters using it as a route to and from US 60 and to major destinations in the Heritage District and the surrounding areas, according to town officials.

The road sees approximately 20,000 vehicle trips a day, which is expected to increase by 30% by 2035, to 29,000 trips a day, according to the town.

When completed, the new Vaughn Ventilator and Neely Street, south of Guadalupe Road, will see an estimated weekday traffic of 5,600 vehicles a day and weekend traffic at 8,400, the town says.

Currently, approximately $62 million is budgeted for this project, according to Harrison. Funding for the project comes from a $515-million bond voters approved in November 2021.

Harrison pointed out that the cost "accounts for several capital improvement projects that are included in the total cost of the Vaughn Ventilator project, including the Vaughn Basin for storm water collection."

The project cost also includes the town's purchase of the 13.6-acre Neely school campus from Gilbert Public Schools for $6.85 million.

GPS decided in 2021 to relocate Neely Traditional Academy, which had a growing enrollment, to the much larger Houston Elementary campus, which had been seeing a decline in students. Houston was shut down.

The Vaughn Ventilator also is expected to help support existing and future development in the Heritage District core by bringing in more traffic trips.

Future development for the downtown includes Heritage North, a mixed-used project with a five-story hotel, offices, retail, two parking garages and 288 apartment units.

The project is planned on 11.97 acres located at the north entry into the downtown at the southwest corner of Gilbert Road and Juniper Avenue. Phase 1 is to begin in September 2024 and Phase 2 in December 2025.

Gilbert in 1989 designated the .3-square-mile Heritage District as a redevelopment area in order to revitalize the downtown.

Today, the Heritage District is a designation draw with over 20 restaurants and other amenities.

For more information about the project, go to gilbertaz.gov/departments/public-works/engineering-services/capital-improvement-projects/rd-2190-vaughn-ventilator