Tortosa residents irked at lack of development

In 2006 Karl Boehler began to look at homes to buy. At the time he was living in Tempe, content with his location but unhappy with the cost of houses in the area. He heard about Maricopa and explored the community and met with several homebuilders. The last one he met with was Elite Communities, which was building the Tortosa subdivision. 

“They showed me a model of the town, and it included the plans for a Target and other retail along White and Parker,” Boehler said. “They also told me there were plans for Hartman Road to go straight through to Interstate 10, and all this within a year’s time. I didn’t think it would be that fast, but definitely didn’t know it would take this long, if it comes at all.”

His property is behind a 21-acre vacant lot that, according to Boehler, was supposed to immediately be developed as a small retail store, restaurant and gas station. Five years later, aside from the tumbleweeds, the lot is home only to a makeshift Maricopa Fire Department station.

In January 2007 Boehler moved into Tortosa with many of the homes still being built. His initial excitement waned as development moved in a direction opposite of what Boehler had been told. He is not alone in his frustrations; many Tortosa residents are wondering when promises are going to come true.

When Maria Banerjee moved to Tortosa, there were only three other houses built in her neighborhood. “I remember the models and everything that was presented,” she said.  They talked about all these fountains and shops; everything was going to be beautiful.”

In addition to feeling the empty lot at the development’s entrance is an eyesore, Banerjee wishes it housed a market. “I have to make a complete list every time I go into town because if I forget something, oh my god, I’m lucky I have good neighbors in case I have to borrow something,”

“I feel duped, big time,” said Boehler. “If I would have known that everything was just in discussion or ideas being tossed around, I wouldn’t have moved here. I was outright lied to. They could have at least built a gas station or some kind of store so I don’t have to do a 14-mile round trip to the store.”

The 21-acre commercial parcel is owned by Larry Miller’s Matrixx Management, LLC. Miller, who is also behind the stalled Holiday Inn project on John Wayne Parkway, said they hired a new brokerage firm this year and are actively seeking tenants that would partner in the development.

He called Tortosa a “bedroom community” all to its own and said the first small retail gas station should have an estimated 5,000 customers and be tremendously successful. Miller noted the residents of neighboring Rancho Mirage will also flock to any business that opens on the parcel.  

According to Doris Ferguson, president of management company Capital Consultants, 1,100 homes have been built in Tortosa, about one quarter of its capacity. Ferguson and Miller blame the economic downturn on the delay and are eager to turn the empty field at the entrance to the subdivision into a vibrant part of Tortosa lifestyle.

Miller said his firm is primarily marketing the area for a retail gas station and is in discussions with two companies, citing renewed interest and confidence in the market. He is also considering building a small apartment complex on the site.  

Desert Canyon Properties realtor Mitch Royer is also optimistic.

“Tortosa is a great subdivision,” he said. “Great home layouts, the area is spread out, and you know it is only going to grow.  I can totally understand why the homeowners might be upset. I think when you move anywhere with a promise and an expectation, it is difficult to swallow when it doesn’t happen.”

“If you talk to anyone that is an official of the city and see the map of where the growth is headed, you will see that Tortosa homeowners are the smart ones,” said Royer. “They are going to be in the center of a town with access to all they want.  . . Eventually, Tortosa homeowners are going to be surrounded by a variety of options and entertainment, while the rest of us are wishing we would have jumped on the chance to live in the area.”

Royer also believes businesses will come to the 21-acre space, and there will be a domino effect with others following. At that point, he believes, Tortosa will be the best area for a family. Currently, Santa Cruz Elementary and Desert Wind Middle School are within the subdivision and an easy walking distance to most homes.

Boehler is still debating whether to leave the area. He currently has nearly a 100-mile round-trip commute to work at the state prison in Florence, but the drives into town are bothering him the most. With rising gas costs and a house purchased at the peak of the construction boom, he said there are more reasons for leaving than staying.

Royer, on the other hand, advised, “The best is yet to come; to stay positive,” adding that residents like Boehler “got it right.”