Glendale, Arizona Cardinals & Plaza Companies join forces on project
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
District at Sportsman’s Park, Glendale, is the new mixed-use project hailed as a positive collaboration between Glendale, the Arizona Cardinals and Plaza Companies bringing to market a sports entertainment destination unlike anything in the region.
The 62-acre site found just east of Loop 101, south of State Farm Stadium and to the east of the new VAI Resort, which recently announced plans to build the largest hotel in Arizona, is destined for economic prosperity, proponents of the project say.
Additionally, the new Mattel Adventure Park with brand experiences including Barbie, Masters of the Universe, Hot Wheels, Thomas & Friends, and Mattel Games is under construction within the VAI Resort, according to a press release.
District at Sportsman’s Park, Glendale, includes two parcels of land in the northwest portion of the property owned by an affiliate of the Arizona Cardinals. The remainder of the site is owned by the Glendale, the release states.
Upon completion, the vision of the multiuse mecca could include office, hospitality, shopping, restaurant, retail and multifamily uses. The site will be master planned to maintain parking for State Farm Stadium and the VAI Resort. An offering memorandum for a 20+/- acre parcel in the northeast portion of the property for a mixed-use development is expected to go to market in July, the release states.
“We are looking forward to making District at Sportsman’s Park, Glendale, a reality for the City of Glendale and the region as a whole,” said Sharon Harper, chair and CEO of Plaza Companies, in a prepared statement. “This strong public-private partnership will lead to a significant economic impact and will include an innovative development approach designed to make it stand out as a destination for businesses and visitors.”
The Sportsman’s Park, already a well-known identity with the Great Lawn at Sportsman’s Park and Heritage at Sportsman’s Park, sees a regional draw through art, landscape and shade, and “overall connectivity” between State Farm Stadium and throughout the project.
“The connection between District at Sportsman’s Park, Glendale, and State Farm Stadium — and its adjacent Great Lawn — brings a unique opportunity for an enhanced guest and user experience year-round as we continue to add amenities such as Heritage at Sportsman’s Park and the BetMGM Sportsbook. We look forward to collaborating with Plaza Companies and the City of Glendale to create a distinctive mixed-use business center that attracts companies, creates jobs and enhances our exceptional regional amenities.”
— Michael Bidwill, Arizona Cardinals owner
Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps echoed a similar sentiment.
“This project will create new employment opportunities for the community, attract business and commerce to the area and will provide additional enhancements for this critically important area of Glendale,” Phelps said. “We look forward to continuing to work with Plaza Companies and the Arizona Cardinals on this project as we create a new economic engine for the community and a dynamic live, work, experience in Glendale that is unrivaled in the region.”
