Culver’s could be next chain to open in Maricopa

Culver’s has submitted a pre-application to open a location at the Sonoran Creek Marketplace on the west side of the John Wayne Parkway south of Edison Road.

If the application and development plan is accepted, Culver’s would provide Maricopans another diner-style, fast-food restaurant. However, the restaurant must meet certain criteria before it can receive permission to build.

“All they have done is submit a pre-application,” Maricopa Zoning Administrator Kazi Haque said. “We will meet with all the internal departments to find everyone’s role, and then we meet with the organization. They’ll need to show they have adequate parking available, and the design must be approved by the Heritage District Citizen Advisory Committee.”

The property slated for the Sonoran Creek Marketplace is at the northern edge of the Heritage District.

If the development plan is approved, the city wants the process to move quickly to allow the new establishment to get opened as soon as possible.

“It’s very exciting to see this project begin,” Haque said. “It should open up the Heritage District. We are going to do all we can to help them develop.”

The Sonoran Creek Marketplace, owned by Sonoran Creek LLC, was approved for development in 2008. The project was put on hold after the economic downturn, but the city renewed approval in 2013.

Maricopa Interim Economic Development Director Denyse Airheart said the property owners,  are just in the preliminary stages right now. They only control about 60 percent of the property right now, but they do plan to turn it into a shopping center.”

According to Airheart, no other companies are set to go in yet. If the Culver’s is approved, it would be the first building put on the property.

Culver’s is known for its butter burgers and milkshakes, but they also offer many chicken and fish options.

The next restaurant slated to open in Maricopa is Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers at Maricopa Station, slated to be open by mid-November if not earlier.