If you’ve driven down Interstate 17 near Northern Avenue in Phoenix lately, you’ve probably seen that progress is being made at the construction site that was once a former Kmart.
More than a year after the ground breaking ceremony was held at the former big-box store, progress is being made. The site is called Innovation 27 and will be an affordable workforce development and education hub.
"The front end of the building where you see the glass, that's the main entrance of the building. It's very open," explained LaSetta Hogans, a deputy economic development director for the city of Phoenix.
She says the first 40,000 square feet of this reimagined site west of I-17 will be home to Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and skilled trades.
"The goal is to have electrical HVAC and more, including apprenticeship programs and OSHA. We're also looking to have hospitality tourism training in here as well."
There are also plans for a coffee shop and, in a future phase, a restaurant where the Kmart’s old garden center used to be.
Councilwoman Betty Guardado represents District 5 where Innovation 27 is located.
She says she hopes this will be a launch pad for the people who live in this working-class community.
"I want to make sure that when people leave Innovation 27, that they not just have a job, but they have a career and that they are passionate about what it is that they're doing," she said.
Guardado has another hope for the area, which is to bring more economic development, affordable housing and rapid transportation.
Innovation 27 is set to open next summer.
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