Let it never be said that Camp Verde is lagging behind Cottonwood or Sedona when it comes to commercial development: Four national chains are developing properties in town.
Circle K’s construction of a second area store on Finnie Flat Road south of Bashas’, stalled since its announcement at the beginning of 2016, is set to begin soon, according to Camp Verde community development director Carmen Howard.
“[They have] picked up their permits,” Howard said. “We should see activity soon, as I believe they worked out some easement issues that had presented themselves and slowed up the process …. They now have six months to have something going for their first inspection.”
According to Circle K, the 6,000square-foot store will be modeled after the corporation’s Casa Grande location, which offers fresh food options and an expanded selection of products.
Taco Bell has broken ground on its new location at the recently completed roundabout at Industrial Drive, only a block southeast of its current location adjacent to Denny’s at 1650 State Route 260.
“They’re movin’ and groovin’,” Howard said, adding that there is no firm timeline but she expects completion in four to six months.
On the other side of the highway, Little Caesars has purchased property at the Shell station, 1673 SR 260. According to Howard, the corporation should be seeking final approval for development of the property in a few weeks.
The forecast for O’Reilly Auto Parts, which has remained unopened for nearly a year at 1016 West Finnie Flat Road, looks promising.
“[It] should be moving forward soon, wastewater issues resolved,” Howard said, referring to stalled sewer line installation contract negotiations that prevented the town from allowing O’Reilly to open.
“Now everyone’s happy and they have come to an agreement [to start] the sewer line,” she said.
Upcoming development is not restricted to national chains, according to Howard. Off Montezuma Castle Highway, five new duplexes and a five-unit apartment complex are being constructed.
The Verde River RV Resort and Cottages, at 1472 West Horseshoe Bend Drive, is “getting a facelift,” Howard said. It includes construction of park model cottages, a new office, laundry and community facilities, an updated pool and spa and bathroom facilities.
Potentially the largest project to hit Camp Verde in years, the Silverado at Simonton Ranch subdivision looks like it may get off the ground soon.
“While there is still no formal application for the subdivision, there is a neighborhood informative meeting scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m., at Camp Verde Community Library,” Howard said. “[We’re allowing them] to do a neighborhood meeting prior to submitting the application and fees …. We accept the neighborhood meeting and the results as part of the application.”
The development, which would sit on property west of the Bashas’ shopping center, has a storied history including plans for over 1,000 homes, going back to the late 1990s. By 2010, however, it looked like there was no hope for the project.
According Scottsdale-based brand development consultant firm Dillon James Design, current plans for Silverado at Simonton Ranch feature “610 houses [with] plenty of adventure and outdoor” opportunities for its residents.
