Gilbert OHSO Brewery imagines park on vacant lot behind restaurant

PHOENIX – O.H.S.O. Brewery in Gilbert is looking to create a multi-use park on a vacant lot behind the restaurant in the town’s downtown Heritage District.

Plans for the privately-operated project – named simply “The Park” – include real grass, a stage for live music and retail spaces that vendors can lease.

Food and beverages would be prepared at O.H.S.O. to be sold at the new space, and the restaurant’s restrooms would be available to park visitors.

The proposed .42-acre site is surrounded by businesses, including O.H.S.O., and a town-owned parking garage.

“The concept is to turn this eyesore into a temporary open space that could benefit the whole of the district,” say documents included in the agenda item for the Aug. 18 meeting of the Gilbert Redevelopment Commission.

“The idea is to create a comfortable park-like setting for people to hang out in. It could be an area to take your pet, a bored toddler or to hang out while waiting for a dinner reservation at one of the many fine eateries and entertainment venues in the area. There will be no entry fee or purchase requirement to utilize the facility.”

The restaurant, one of many in the East Valley town’s dining district on Gilbert Road, is seeking approval to operate the park for two years.

The Redevelopment Commission approved a conditional use permit for the project by a 5-0 vote, according to minutes posted online, on the condition that live entertainment can’t go later than 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and midnight Friday-Saturday.

The Gilbert location is one of four Valley O.H.S.O. restaurants.

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