Gilbert Resolves Land Dispute with Downtown Businessman in Half-Million Dollar Settlement
After a five-year legal battle, Gilbert has reached a settlement with a downtown businessman, Marc Barlow, over a land dispute. The town has agreed to pay nearly half a million dollars to settle the case, bringing relief to Barlow, who has been carrying the burden of the lawsuit while also dealing with the loss of his wife to cancer. The settlement has put an end to a scheduled seven-day trial that was set to begin on August 21.
Barlow, the owner of a commercial building on Gilbert Road and Hearne Way, will now be able to move on from the dispute and focus on his next venture as a landlord. He has partnered with O.H.S.O. Brewery & Distillery to develop a new two-story restaurant-gaming concept near its current location in the Heritage District. Barlow expressed his relief that the dispute with the town has been resolved and stated that he feels satisfied with the settlement.
The dispute arose when the town initiated eminent domain proceedings in 2018 to acquire a vacant triangular piece of land owned by Barlow. The land was needed for the construction of a roundabout for the Hearne Plaza Garage. Initially, the town offered $145,000 for the land, but Barlow countered with the land’s appraised value of $670,000. A judge ruled in favor of Barlow’s appraisal figure in October 2020, rejecting the town’s argument based on the date of the land appraiser’s summons.
With the settlement, the town will now pay Barlow $485,000 along with accrued interest. Both parties will be responsible for their own attorney costs and fees. Although Barlow did not divulge specific details about the case, he mentioned that the court still needs to sign off on the settlement and Gilbert will then proceed with the payment.
Meanwhile, Barlow is focused on his collaboration with O.H.S.O. Brewery & Distillery for the development of the new concept in the Heritage District. He praised the brewery as good neighbors and business people, expressing his belief that the project will be a great addition to the downtown area. The lease is long-term, and O.H.S.O. plans to take possession of the property in December. They aim to complete the project in around nine months, with a targeted launch date in late 2024.
This partnership between Barlow and O.H.S.O. is not their first business venture together. Previously, Barlow leased another property to O.H.S.O. for their open-air concept called The Park, which debuted in August 2022.
O.H.S.O. Brewery & Distillery has been expanding rapidly, recently acquiring Helton Brewing in central Phoenix and becoming one of Arizona’s largest breweries. With plans to triple their current output next year, O.H.S.O. is poised for continued growth and success.
Overall, the settlement between Gilbert and Marc Barlow brings an end to a long-standing dispute and allows both parties to move forward. Barlow’s focus now lies on his partnership with O.H.S.O. and the development of their new restaurant-gaming concept in Gilbert’s Heritage District. The project is expected to breathe new life into downtown Gilbert and offer an exciting destination for residents and visitors alike.
