Talent Urban Renewal Agency is moving forward with the purchase of the building and property currently occupied by Mei Sum Chinese Restaurant. The move consolidates the 4.23 acre property at the corner of West Valley View and Highway 99 in Talent. TURA also unanimously voted to include a makerspace facility as one of eight selection criteria in the Requests for Expressions of Interest being circulated to area developers.
You may have seen the new construction happening downtown at 109 Talent Ave — across the street from The Talent Club and next door to the Malmgren Garage! We want to fill you in on the progress and answer all of your questions since this will be YOUR community makerspace!
Talent Maker City has purchased land for a new building in the downtown business core, which will allow expansion of its operations for classes and workshops and provide opportunities for businesses to use the space and equipment.
Lots in the 100 block of Talent Avenue totaling 0.38-acres were purchased for $300,000. A 6,000-square-foot building is envisioned, with a total project cost estimated to be near $3 million. The project will contribute to the rebuilding of Talent following the 2020 Almeda Fire.
In partnership with Phoenix-Talent schools, we are working with Phoenix Rising Academy middle school students as part of our Rise Up + Rebuild program. Once a week, seven students have been coming into the shop to build beds for families who lost everything in the Almeda fire. The students are gaining school credit through this in person, hands-on elective which is teaching them building skills, applied math, tool safety, communication and group collaboration.
