Senior community planned for GM Proving Grounds spot

November 28, 2012

Buyers of the GM Proving Grounds in east Mesa are formulating plans for the area. This includes an adult-living community.

NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: Scottsdale-based home builder AV Homes and the New York investment company Jen Partners recently purchased more than 500 acres of the former GM Proving grounds for $32 million. The empty land is adjacent to the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. AV Homes will build about 1,000 homes for senior living on 310 acres. Jen Partners will develop a gated country club community with luxury homes on the remaining space. AV Homes Ken Plonski says purchasing the land was a smart investment.

KEN PLONSKI:  Land prices in the Valley have escalated quite a bit and there’s probably no end in sight of that process. So, being able to identify a parcel like this and acquire it at this point in time I believe is good business.

ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: Plonski says the next step is getting plans approved by the City of Mesa. He says construction could start next year.