El Mirage applauds arrival of economic oasis

El Mirage is banking that the empty lot on the southeast corner of Dysart and Greenway roads will be a catalyst in growing the city's tax base.

Work has begun on Mirage Oasis Center, which will be home to a Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market and the city's first bank as well as other smaller stores. Upscale apartments also are planned for the lot.

KORE Group/Watermark Properties, a Phoenix-based developer, broke ground on Mirage Oasis Center about two weeks ago, next door to Walgreens and near Surprise Elementary School.

"We're looking to be part of an emergence within the city, and I'm sure the development will create a synergy that's needed," said Karen Owens, co-manager of the project. "It's going to be neat for a lot of residents nearby to have things at their fingertips."

Owens said she expects construction on the retail spaces to be completed by November, "just in time for the holidays."

 Mirage Oasis will feature three separate buildings with one for retail and another that's tentatively planned as a Wells Fargo Bank.

"The bank is still in the negotiation process and even if a Wells Fargo doesn't go there, we're still very committed to bringing the first bank here," Owens said.

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market is the anchor of Mirage Oasis Center in a building that includes several spaces for retail shops.

Late last year, U.K.-based Tesco announced the construction of the location of its American chain of stores in the city. Since then, several Fresh & Easy Markets have opened across the Valley, including in Litchfield Park and Glendale.

With Fresh & Easy and a bank, Owens said she expects to attract other businesses into the center. "Things like clothing shops and restaurants are what we're looking at," Owens said.

Scott Chesney, El Mirage economic director, said the city is taking a more aggressive stance in having more commercial businesses in the city.

Plans are under way for the proposed El Mirage Marketplace at the southwest corner of Cactus and El Mirage roads, which would include the city's first gas station.

Construction has begun in the same area on a Burger King, the city's first free-standing fast-food chain.

Councilman Bill Conner said the recent openings of Hanson Pipe, Wal-Mart and the construction of Mirage Oasis will be the start of more businesses coming into the city  and helping El Mirage's tax base revenue.

"We're hoping it's going to be the beginning of what we've been waiting on for a long time," he said.

Mirage Oasis Center not only will benefit El Mirage residents, but Surprise residents who live just over the border as well.

"It's the best for both cities because in the corners of their neighborhoods with convenience for both, because they don't have to fight traffic on Bell Road to get what they need, since it's right there for them," Owens said.