The Maricopa City Council approved a $47,750 contract Tuesday with Ernest Swiger Consulting for a business park feasibility study at the Estrella Gin property on the west side of the city.
The Estrella Gin Co. sold the nearly 70-acre site to the city in April for $3.2 million plus closing costs.
The city is pursuing development of the site as a business park with partnerships with private industries and businesses. Public uses of the property include relocation of an Amtrak station, the construction of a fire station and the development of a public works yard.
The city is focusing its nonretail efforts on attracting companies in four primary fields: agri-tech; clean-tech (green technologies); advertising, professional and business services; and health care.
City spokeswoman LaTricia Woods said it is too early to say if the city will focus on one area more than another.
“That’s what the study will help us determine,” she said Friday.
Swiger, who was present at the meeting, has worked on projects in Las Vegas and was contracted by the city of Mesa in its effort to purchase laboratory space from the U.S. Air Force.
Mayor Anthony Smith asked Swiger what the city can expect as a timeline for his report.
“Our proposal has us finished by the end of May,” he said. “There is quite a bit of information on the city website and we will be off to a flying start.”
Swiger said he has toured the site and will meet with developers, Realtors and focus groups as he prepares his report.
