The Story of Glenfair Plaza
It was the beginning of the new millennium. The year was 2000 when Arizona Redeveloper and Entrepreneur Michael Pollack purchased Glenfair Plaza at the NW corner of 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road in Glendale.
At the time of purchase Glenfair Plaza had become an eyesore with recent tenant departures leaving a high vacancy rate. The shopping center was in need of an aggressive redevelopment when along came Pollack.
“When we bought the shopping center it was neglected and antiquated and needed a complete renovation, not just a splash of paint. I knew I could turn the property around with a facelift and a complete revitalization plan,” Pollack said.
It didn’t take long for Pollack to get started. In his typical re-developing fashion he immediately started renovating the 83,510-square-foot eyesore, bringing new life to the center and bringing it up to nearly 95-percent occupancy. Fast forward 22-years and it was time for more work on the center and this time on an even bigger scale.
“Redevelopment of older properties are one of the single most powerful ways to revitalize a community, drive up the economy and increase pride back into a neighborhood,” said Pollack. “Sometimes it can be a small renovation but in the case of our Glenfair Plaza this would be another substantial renovation for us.”
Pollack started the work this past summer again putting a new face on the property and making everything new again including the stonework, stucco, paint, tile roof, exterior lighting, parking lot, landscaping, and new glass store fronts, to name a few of the additions. The total cost of the renovations would be in the mid six figure range. Anchored by a 35,650-square-foot Food City, the newly renovated center now boasts a new Humana Healthcare Center and several other national tenants including McDonalds, K-Momo Fashion, and Super 99 Cent Center, among other tenants.
Growth in the West Valley and especially the high traffic intersection of 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road has steadily outpaced the majority of other major metropolitan markets within the United States.
Glenfair Plaza in particular is located in a very dense trade area with an estimated 165,093 households and population of over 530,966 within a 5-mile radius of the property.
“As a young boy, I remember coming to the Smitty’s in this location with my mother,” said Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers. “The transformation of this property is great for bringing back Glendale neighborhoods. Redevelopment projects breathe new life into the community. In this particular space, it provides a fresh start to small businesses, while adding jobs and increasing the value for surrounding properties as well. We are grateful for Mr. Pollack’s commitment to our community and know that it will inspire others to follow suit.”
Michael Pollack’s 50 years as a redeveloper, as well as his philanthropy have not gone unnoticed. Former Governor Doug Ducey took the time to issue a special commendation in recognition of Pollack’s citing “Many years of service involved in the development or redevelopment of more than 10 million square feet of real estate projects in the last 50 years” before he left office.
“I go into a renovation thinking we are going to make a positive difference to the surrounding neighborhood. Glenfair Plaza is once again a shopping center that the entire community can be proud of,” said Pollack. “It looks like it was built yesterday. It has an updated modern look to it, and almost has a village like feel. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished and it shows you can make a difference in a community one project at a time.”