By Parker Leavitt | The Republic | azcentral.com
Gilbert’s Agritopia Epicenter, a mixed-use development envisioned as a thriving urban oasis amid a sea of suburban sprawl, is drawing stiff opposition from nearby residents who say the plan for mid-rise apartments is the wrong fit for their villagelike neighborhood.
In terms of sheer size and scale, Epicenter is likely to be well-known developer Joe Johnston’s biggest project yet, having successfully launched a coffee chain, three restaurants and the popular Agritopia community.
While many of the details are still being hashed out, conceptual plans for Epicenter depict several five-story apartment buildings, some with retail space on the first floor, near the northwestern corner of Higley and Ray roads.
