Bell Mar Breaks Ground!On February 7th, we hosted a ceremony for the groundbreaking of the Bell Mar Neighborhood Shopping Plaza in honor of its owner, Arizona Property Management, LLC, developer, Esterra Development, LLC and leasing brokerage, TAG Commercial. It's truly a pleasure working with this power-packed owner/developer/leasing team. Simmons' Sr. Project Manager, Terry Christensen is heading up the build of Bell Mar with Steve Buchanan as the Project Superintendent.
As for the official ground breaking, we had a great turnout from the City of Surprise representing the offices of Economic Development, Planning, as well as the Mayor's office. This event, without a doubt, fuels the excitement with regard to the development of Surprise. Commercial building is picking up in Surprise, including higher-end retail, and Simmons Construction is happy to be a part of it! 
AZ Republic website:
Arizona Republic reporter Erin Zlomek blogs on the economic growth of Surprise, El Mirage and the Sun Cities.
Ground breaks on "upscale casual" shopping plaza 02/07/2007
A ground breaking ceremony will take place today at 11:30 a.m. for the future Bell Mar Neighborhood Shopping Plaza to go up at 114th avenue and Avenue of the Arts in Surprise.
Marketers are branding the plaza's caliber of stores and restaurants as “upscale casual.”“The developers are trying to attract Scottsdale-like retailers for the residents of Surprise,” said Bridget Zeuner representing Simmons Construction Company. Simmons is building the project.
So far, a golfing pro shop, a jewelry store, a café and bistro, and a specialty women's-clothing store are planned. A Los Padres Bank also will go in the plaza.
Surprise Mayor Joan Shafer and Vice Mayor Doc Sullivan are scheduled to speak at the ceremony.
From the Arizona Republic:
Work begins on upscale development in Surprise
Erin Zlomek The Arizona RepublicFeb. 9, 2007 12:00 AM
A noticeable complex of upscale shopping boutiques interlaced with white-tablecloth restaurants will go up at Surprise's easternmost entry point by next year. Three giant ship masts will adorn the complex, which is likely to be the first landmark people see when they enter the city, said Bridget Zeuner representing Simmons Construction Co. who is building the project. Ground was broken Wednesday on the complex, Bell Mar Neighborhood Shopping Plaza, at Bell Road and Avenue of the Arts. The intersection marks the entrance to the city and sees about 60,000 vehicles per day.
The plaza is expected to open in early 2008. The goal is to bring a higher class of shopping to Surprise, a city that now hosts mostly big box retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Kohl's, Zeuner said.Marketers are branding the plaza's caliber of stores as "upscale casual.""The developers are trying to attract Scottsdale-like boutiques, for the residents of Surprise, " Zeuner said. A golfing pro shop, jewelry store, a café and bistro and specialty women's clothing store are planned. A Los Padres Bank also will go in the plaza. The complex will occupy about 72,000 square feet in three buildings. About 15,000 square feet will house restaurants along the line of a Houston's or P.F. Chang's, said Gary Arnold, a developer representing TAG Commercial. Professional offices will encompass about 20,000 square feet of the project. The rest of the space will be retail.
Erin Zlomek The Arizona RepublicFeb. 9, 2007 12:00 AM
A noticeable complex of upscale shopping boutiques interlaced with white-tablecloth restaurants will go up at Surprise's easternmost entry point by next year. Three giant ship masts will adorn the complex, which is likely to be the first landmark people see when they enter the city, said Bridget Zeuner representing Simmons Construction Co. who is building the project. Ground was broken Wednesday on the complex, Bell Mar Neighborhood Shopping Plaza, at Bell Road and Avenue of the Arts. The intersection marks the entrance to the city and sees about 60,000 vehicles per day.
The plaza is expected to open in early 2008. The goal is to bring a higher class of shopping to Surprise, a city that now hosts mostly big box retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Kohl's, Zeuner said.Marketers are branding the plaza's caliber of stores as "upscale casual.""The developers are trying to attract Scottsdale-like boutiques, for the residents of Surprise, " Zeuner said. A golfing pro shop, jewelry store, a café and bistro and specialty women's clothing store are planned. A Los Padres Bank also will go in the plaza. The complex will occupy about 72,000 square feet in three buildings. About 15,000 square feet will house restaurants along the line of a Houston's or P.F. Chang's, said Gary Arnold, a developer representing TAG Commercial. Professional offices will encompass about 20,000 square feet of the project. The rest of the space will be retail.
The project is in close proximity to the West Valley Art Museum and across the street from a mixed-use condo development. West Valley Art Museum director Connie Stover said the plaza is not likely to affect her museum in any way. Although she is not opposed to the plaza, she said she would rather have seen another cultural center go in that space.
