By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | Twitter: @JasonWBrooks2

The Chandler City Council recently green-lit part of a plan that could lead to a significant development in Downtown Chandler.

At its July 20 meeting, council gave preliminary approval to an ordinance to sell 0.36 city-owned acres of land, on the southwest corner of Chicago and Oregon streets, to a developer for $200,000. That currently vacant land is set to be the site of a fairly unique multi-business restaurant building.

Investor and financial advisor Jeremy McClymonds and one of his partners, restaurant owner Jackson Armstrong, both presented to council at a July 17 study session. The pair, known as part of JEMBJACD, LLC, provided a few details about what would go into the two-story space.

McClymonds compared the plan to a development called Avanti, a collective eatery concept in Colorado. With more upscale options than, say, a shopping mall food court,

McClymonds said he’d like to see at least a few of the proposed six to 12 occupants be a concept not already in Downtown Chandler.
McClymonds said there will definitely be a pizza restaurant. Burgers and healthier food are likely to occupy at least two more of the spaces.

The entire development is called Swashbuckler Food Hall and Public House.

“What we agreed to in the development agreement is a contained 1,500-square-foot building — 7,500 (square foot) ground level and a 7,500-square-foot skydeck,” McClymonds said.

Cultural Development Director Kim Moyers said the city has owned the land since 2006. It’s part of the city’s entertainment district and part of the South Arizona Avenue Area Plan.

“The terms include a clawback provision that if, in any way, the city doesn’t like how the property’s being developed, the city has the right to buy it back at the same price,” Moyers said.

Armstrong owns the Ginger Monkey Gastropub in the Ocotillo area of Chandler. He said the multi-store concept of a food hall will allow small business owners to start up without needing as much capital as a stand-alone new build would entail.

In August 2021, council directed staff to release a request for proposal for the site, according to a staff report.

A selection committee ranked the ensuing viable proposed plans for the site, Moyers said. After failed negotiations with the originally chosen developer of the request for proposal, council directed staff to begin negotiations for a development agreement with the second-ranked developer, which was JEMBJACD, LLC.

There would be a central bar area surrounded by multiple retail and restaurant tenants. Other amenities include outdoor sky-deck patio seating and a drive aisle that McClymonds said will be used by food delivery vehicles.

Moyers pointed out that the agreement includes, with residents in mind, that all activities such as live music take place as close to the corner of Chicago and Oregon as possible. The use is designated as “retail or mixed-use restaurant,” but multi-family housing won’t be permitted.

The parcels are directly across Chicago Street from the Oregon Street Garage, so parking is not expected to be an immediate problem.

There are construction and permitting deadlines outlined in the development agreement. Final approval of the a planned area development and/or a preliminary development plan must be completed within 12 months of the final agreement date, for example.

Proceeds from the $200,000 payment for the property are to be moved into the city’s general fund, a staff report states.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent
@JasonWBrooks2

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.