PHOENIX, Ariz. - With shovels in hand and a shared vision for the future, City of Phoenix leaders, community members and partners celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking of Innovation 27, a new workforce training and education collaborative, on Wednesday.

The event marked the official launch of this dynamic initiative, which will serve as a cornerstone for sustainable development and workforce readiness in one of the City's most vital growth corridors.

"Phoenix leads with intention in growing smart, sustainably, and with a focus on high-wage, innovation economy jobs that create opportunity for all," Mayor Kate Gallego said. "Innovation 27 brings together collaboration across academia to meet the skills demand created by attracting and growing advanced technology and science companies throughout our city. For our residents, it presents access to meaningful career paths and pay that will support a family and lead to a vibrant community."

Once renovated, a currently vacant building at the northwest corner of Interstate 17 and Northern Ave., formerly a Kmart, will be home to the Innovation 27 facility. The 15-acre site will feature a mix of high-tech industrial space, job training facilities and amenities designed with community benefit in mind. Innovation 27 will serve as a launching pad for next-generation industry, offering cutting-edge space for businesses, education and training programs, and green infrastructure designed with community benefit in mind. The project will prioritize spaces with sustainability features and educational value, reinforcing Phoenix's commitment to resilience and equitable development.

Vice Mayor Ann O'Brien, Chair of the City Council Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee, underscored the citywide significance of the project: "Innovation 27 represents the future of Phoenix's economic growth strategy. It's about advancing high-quality job creation and creating development that turns vision into impact for our economy and our residents."

District 5 Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who represents the area in which Innovation 27 will be located, highlighted the impact for local families: "Innovation 27 is exactly the kind of investment west Phoenix deserves. It brings together good jobs, education, and community-driven design in a way that uplifts our residents and creates lasting opportunity for working families. I'm proud to see this project take root in our district."

Christine Mackay, Director of the Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department, emphasized the long-term vision of the initiative, stating: "This is about more than breaking ground on a site - it's about building lasting opportunity. Innovation 27 creates a pipeline for new industries and new talent, with the infrastructure and support to keep Phoenix on the leading edge."

Representatives from Gensler, the architecture firm designing the renovation, CHASSE Building Team, which will manage construction of the facility, along with workforce and academic partners from ARIZONA@WORK City of Phoenix, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Maricopa County Community Colleges, and Washington Elementary School District also participated in the groundbreaking celebration.

"A project like this comes to life only through visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, determined effort and genuine heart," Martha de Plazaola Abbott, Principal and Managing Director at Gensler, said.

"Innovation 27 is exactly the kind of project that gets us fired up about what we do," Barry Chasse, CEO and Founder of CHASSE Building Team, said. "It's incredibly rewarding to help transform a once-forgotten space into something vibrant, dynamic and built to inspire future generations. What makes this project so special is the incredible collaboration - bringing together the City of Phoenix, Washington Elementary School District, ASU, NAU and Maricopa County Community Colleges to turn a shared vision into reality. From cutting-edge glass systems and solar ready infrastructure, to outdoor classrooms and thriving community gardens, Innovation 27 is a bold step forward for our city. At CHASSE, our purpose is Building To Make A Difference, and Innovation 27 is a perfect example of how we bring that mission to life by creating spaces that inspire and uplift our communities."

LaSetta Hogans, Deputy Director of the Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department/Executive Director of the Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Board, said: "Innovation 27 will offer unparalleled opportunities and set a new standard for workforce development. We look forward to working closely with local partners and stakeholders as we bring this vision to life."

Paul Stanton, Superintendent of the Washington Elementary School District, said: "It takes a complete village. This is something very important to our district, to our families and to me personally."

Susan Bitter-Smith, Governing Board President of Maricopa County Community Colleges, said: "This will be a place where graduates can get guidance and direction for the next step in their career. We appreciate the ongoing partnership with the City of Phoenix and all the workforce entities that are here today."

Dr. Charles Chadwell, Dean of the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering at Northern Arizona University, said: "I see semiconductor, manufacturing and fabrication as a huge opportunity, and I see Phoenix as the center of the universe for the manufacturing processes and growth. And that's what this (Innovation 27) is."

Rick Naimark, Associate Vice President of Program Development Planning at Arizona State University, said: "It has been a dream of the community and the Mayor and Council, particularly Councilwoman Guardado, to turn this vacant site into a productive asset for advancing the economy, as well as the immediate neighborhood's revitalization. We applaud the city's focus on workforce development and tools for learning. As a university working in service of the State of Arizona, and particularly in metropolitan Phoenix, ASU strongly believes that giving people the power of education is a reliable pathway to a better life and a stronger community. ASU has been happy to collaborate with the City of Phoenix on this project from day one, and the innovative design sets the framework to launch the project's vision. The City's commitment of funding to make this first phase of construction happen is admirable. We expect Innovation 27 to be a place in which people will be able to have unparalleled access to workforce resources, so they can acquire the needed training to reach their goals."

About Innovation 27
The Innovation 27 workforce training and education collaborative is a forward-thinking development committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology, sustainability and workforce development. The vision is to create a space that inspires and enhances the community, while contributing to local economies and the environment. With a focus on collaboration, sustainability and academic excellence, Innovation 27 is dedicated to shaping the future in the metro Phoenix area.

Media Contact:
Athena Sanchez, Communications Manager
City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department
Call/text: 602-621-0507
Athena.Sanchez@phoenix.gov