The allure of the Westgate City Center in Glendale may take the 'party' out of Tempe with all of the amenities of Scottsdale and a Mill Avenue-style nightlife.
The brand new, 6.5 million square feet facility located just off the Loop 101 Freeway and Glendale Avenue next to the University of Phoenix Stadium and Jobing.com Arena offers many of the same attractions as Mill Avenue in Tempe, such as a variety of restaurants, nightclubs, a movie theater and retail shops.
However, the job opportunities available at Westgate are why some ASU students have shifted their attention from Tempe to Phoenix.
"I work at Jobing.com Arena on the ice crew," said biology sophomore Daniel Carroll.
Westgate Live, an extension of the Westgate City Center that handles the programming and activation of attractions at the venue, will soon be offering internships to ASU students.
"We are putting together an internship program right now [with ASU]," said Director of Marketing & Events Amy Shapiro. "We are excited to provide students with the experience as well as get some assistance along the way."
Some have dubbed Westgate the 'Scottsdale of the west side', but Shapiro feels that the upscale ambiance will not deter possible visitors who dislike the stereotypical Scottsdale attitude.
"Once people have a chance to visit Westgate they will see there is an upscale element adding to the West Valley experience, but because of its proximity to Cabela's, Jobing.com Arena and the University of Phoenix Stadium, there is a great mix and variety of the visitors we draw," Shapiro said.
The versatility of the venue allows Westgate Live to schedule an array of entertainment.
The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour is the next big event, running from May 10-13.
Several ASU students don't think the 45-minute drive to the west side will keep them from attending big events.
"I think Westgate is nicer than the main strip on Mill Avenue. Westgate has an upscale atmosphere, [it's] very clean, and [has] great fountains," said Carroll. "It's worth the drive."
Reach the reporter at: casey.kelsey@asu.edu.
