Talk 5: Gilbert’s Downtown Heritage District

Gilbert’s Downtown Heritage District

Embracing the Good; Avoiding the Bad & the Ugly

On March 1, 2017 we organized a panel of experts to discuss downtown development and specifically the transformation of the Heritage District including the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

The Talk was held at the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley at 44 North Oak Street, Gilbert, AZ, 85233. Thank you to the Boys and Girls Club for their generous donation of this wonderful space.

Speakers for this Talk
Patrick Banger, Town of Gilbert, Town Manager
Craig DeMarco, Partner of Upward Projects, Postino, and Joyride Taco House
Mary Ellen Fresquez, Downtown Business Owner
Jon Kitchell, Co-owner at Venue Projects and Kitchell-Perez
Mark Stapp, Executive Director ASU Master of Real Estate Development Program

Bios
Patrick Banger
Patrick S. Banger is the Town Manager for Gilbert, Arizona, a position he has held since August 2011. Patrick has been a key leader in the process of transforming Gilbert from a bedroom residential community to a premier location for corporations. He is a forward-thinking, change-orientated leader which has been proven by the innovative development of initiatives including Gilbert’s SPARK App League, Long Range Infrastructure Program and the Native American Internship Program.
Under his leadership, Gilbert has enhanced its’ standing as one of the most efficient local governments in the region and nation while also receiving various national recognitions including, the 22nd Best Place to Live by Money Magazine, 2nd Safest City in the U.S. according to the FBI Crime Statistics and the 3rd Best Place to Find a Job in the U.S. by WalletHub.

Craig DeMarco
Craig DeMarco is a founding partner and Chairman of Upward Projects, the Phoenix-based hospitality business behind Postino WineCafe, Joyride Taco House, Windsor & Churn and Federal Pizza as well as a founding partner of La Grande Orange Grocery, La Grande Orange Pizzeria, and Chelsea’s Kitchen. Craig is also an active member of YPO – Arizona Chapter, founding member of Devour Phoenix, an Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame Restaurateur of the Year as well as an Arizona Restaurant Association Food Pioneer.

Mary Ellen Fresquez
After receiving a BS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, Mary Ellen and her husband moved to Gilbert in 1994. Mary Ellen began her entrepreneurial life by opening a paper arts business in the heart of the Heritage District.
For the next 10 years, Ink It! was abuzz with talented creative souls and teachers who came from across the US, Canada, and Mexico. After a further building remodel, Mary Ellen opened Gallery 225. Her business represented over 75 artists, many of them local. It wasn’t until she opened her Gilbert business that she became aware of municipal government and its impact on small business owners. She served on numerous Gilbert task forces, eventually finding her niche on the Redevelopment Commission where she served for 12 years. She also held numerous positions in the HD Merchants’ Association in the mid 90’s.

Jon Kitchell
Jon contributes an unsurpassed level of collaboration, aesthetic sensitivity and creativity to our custom building and development activities, thanks to 40 years of unique custom residential and commercial experience. After years in business as an independent builder, he brought his expertise to his father’s company Kitchell Corp. in 1994 to establish and develop Kitchell Custom Homes. This company became one of the most accomplished and respected custom homebuilders in Arizona and California. In 2007, Jon retired from Kitchell and joined with Lorenzo Perez to launch the Venue Companies.

Mark Stapp
Mark Stapp is the executive director of the Master of Real Estate Development program and Fred E. Taylor Professor in Real Estate in the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. As an active member of the Phoenix development community, Stapp is currently on the board of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation Phoenix (LISC) and has been part of various business enterprises and development projects for over past 30 years.
Stapp completed his undergraduate work in environmental studies and urban design at William Paterson University, did his graduate work in urban economics at Arizona State University and was a member of the 2000 Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive and Professional Education program. Stapp received a Doctor of Humane Letters from A.T. Still University for his work in community sustainability, health and wellness.