Council hears public input on sale of 18.9-acre town parcel; staff outlines bidding timeline

At a required public hearing, Gilbert staff described the process for selling an 18.9-acre town-owned parcel north of Ray Road and San Tan Village Parkway and solicited public comment on Jan. 6.

Jennifer Graves, deputy director for the Office of Economic Development, said the parcel is zoned public facilities/institutional and carries an appraised value of $6,390,000 (December 2025). She outlined the schedule for the sale: a pre-bid conference on Jan. 8, a bid opening on Feb. 2 and, if there is a successful high bidder at or above appraised value, staff anticipates bringing a purchase agreement to the council for consideration on Feb. 17. The council retains the right to reject any or all bids.

Tony Bergarello of Christ Church of the Valley said his organization plans to bid 'as is' and highlighted CCV's community programs, including youth sports and partnerships with schools. Developer Greg Bamford, who said his development team donated the 20-acre site decades ago, urged the council to maintain the parcel's general-plan designation (public facilities/institutional) and cautioned against sale terms — such as a one-year closing window — that could encourage land-use-change efforts and higher-density redevelopment contrary to the current plan.

No sale or vote occurred at the hearing; staff and public input will inform the upcoming bid process.