By Parker Leavitt | The Republic | azcentral.com
Steel beams and masonry are rising quickly on a prominent corner in the heart of downtown Gilbert, where the long-awaited Heritage Marketplace is carving out an impressive presence that promises to reshape the town’s streetscape.
Thousands of downtown residents and visitors who pass through the Heritage District each day will notice three large buildings under construction at the northwestern corner of Gilbert Road and Vaughn Avenue, a long-vacant parcel recently used as a parking lot.
Once considered a likely victim of the Great Recession, the ambitious mixed-use project is expected to bring shops, restaurants and office space to a geographically small downtown that is home to several regional favorites, including Joe’s Real BBQ, Postino East, Liberty Market and Oregano’s Pizza Bistro.
