27th Ave. & Northern Ave. — Approximate Former Kmart Project Site
The long-vacant Kmart near Interstate 17 and Northern Avenue in Phoenix is no longer just an empty shell — construction crews are now working inside the building as it transforms into Innovation 27, a $43.5 million workforce development and education hub for the surrounding community. More than a year after its ceremonial groundbreaking, the project is visibly taking shape, with a new main entrance planned at the building’s glass-front end.
According to KJZZ, Innovation 27 is an affordable workforce development and education hub. The station reports that the first 40,000 square feet of the building will house programming from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and skilled trades courses, according to LaSetta Hogans. That early phase is expected to include electrical and HVAC training, apprenticeship programs, OSHA safety certification, and hospitality and tourism instruction.
A Former Big-Box Store Reimagined
The scope of the renovation reflects the scale of the original investment. Phoenix committed $43.5 million to convert the site, according to KTAR, which reported the project would serve jobseekers of all ages and offer trade courses spanning from high school through university level. The station’s report ties the effort to a broader push to revitalize neighborhoods near I-17 and Metrocenter, and notes one project participant said the hub could serve as an incentive for other businesses to invest in and redevelop the area…