Awards & Accolades
1. Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan was named the 2026 Airport of the Year by the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group following completion of a $12M runway renovation project in 2025. Improvements included resurfacing the runway, updating markings and signage, and reconfiguring a taxiway intersection.
Groundbreakings
2. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has broken ground on its first advanced packaging facility and has begun initial work on a fourth semiconductor fab at its north Phoenix campus. The packaging facility is expected to open by 2029. The projects are part of TSMC’s $165B Arizona expansion, which includes six fabs, two packaging facilities and a research and development center. The company has also acquired 900 adjacent acres for future growth.
3. Mesa Community College began construction on a workforce development corridor at its Southern & Dobson Campus, 1833 W. Southern Ave. in Mesa. The project includes a 30KSF welding technology facility with $25.4M in approved capital funding and a 15KSF veterinary technology and sustainable horticulture building with approximately $13.6M in approved funding. The welding facility is scheduled for completion in spring 2028.
4. Ulysses Development Group broke ground on Salt River Flats 2, a 168-unit affordable housing community at 4027 S. 13th St. in Phoenix. The project will serve families and individuals earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income. Completion is expected in early 2028. Funding for the project includes $75.1M from Merchants Capital, $34.5M from the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, $26M from the Arizona Department of Housing and $24.2M from U.S. Bank.
5. The City of Phoenix and co-developer The Richman Group broke ground on Helen Drake Village, an 80-unit affordable senior housing community next to the Helen Drake Senior Center in Phoenix. The three-story project will include 74 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units for residents 55 and older earning 30% to 60% of Area Median Income. Project partners include Snell & Wilmer, Biltform Architects, Atwell Engineering, EOS Builders and the Arizona Department of Housing. Completion is expected in 2027.
Progress Reports
6. Construction is advancing on Fire ‘N Ice Arena, a nearly $190M, 250KSF multi-sport complex on 17.5 acres at 2727 W. Bronco Butte Trail in north Phoenix. The redevelopment of a previously stalled project is expected to open in phases, with the adjacent hotel targeted within two months and the arena planned by Sept. 1. The project also includes the on-site SSS Academy.
7. HonorHealth announced it is nearing completion of its $170M expansion of the HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center. Begun in 2023, the project increases the hospital’s bed count from 204 to 238 and adds a 166KSF patient care pavilion, along with significant upgrades across the campus. Final project elements are expected to open this summer, with a ribbon-cutting planned later in the year.
8. Renovation of the former Super 8motel northwest of I-17 and Northern Avenue in Phoenix is approximately 25% complete. The $16.2M project will convert the property into 126 transitional affordable housing units for seniors 55 and older exiting homelessness. The City of Phoenix recently approved an additional $4.5M for the redevelopment, which is expected to open in early 2027.
Completions
9. Phoenix Scholar House, a 56-unit affordable housing community in Phoenix, has opened. The development by Brinshore Development LLC and Save the Family Foundation of Arizona received a $1.5M federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program loan from the City of Phoenix Housing Department. Nine units are reserved for families earning below 40% of the Phoenix Median Family Income.
10. RED Development opened Life Time Paradise Valley, a 92KSF athletic country club, at PV in Phoenix on April 30. The club is part of the more than $2B redevelopment of the former Paradise Valley Mall. Nearby, the Life Time Living residential tower remains under construction, with delivery expected in 2027.
11. HonorHealth plans to open HonorHealth Pima Center in August at Loop 101 and Pima Road in Scottsdale. The new 100KSF campus includes a 40KSF medical fitness center as part of a broader mix of healthcare and rehabilitation services. Membership presales began in April.
12. West-MEC has opened a Semiconductor Cleanroom Training Lab at its Northeast Campus, the first such facility for K-12 education in the country. The lab was developed through partnerships with TSMC, Amkor, Nestlé, PepsiCo and the SEMI Foundation and will support the campus’ Advanced Manufacturing program.
13. The Arizona Department of Transportation has completed an $8.8M pavement rehabilitation project on 10 miles of State Route 72 through Bouse. Improvements between mileposts 20 and 30 included new asphalt, guardrails, fencing, signage and pavement markings. Construction began last August.
14. The historic former Pratt-Gilbert building in downtown Phoenix has reopened as One West Madison following a $4.5M redevelopment by Aardex. The 1913 structure was converted into 27KSF of restaurant, retail and event space. Aardex is also pursuing a multifamily development on a neighboring parcel, with construction planned to begin next year.
15. Vista del Rio, a 120-home senior living community at 13619 N. 94th Dr. in Peoria, has completed a nearly $2M renovation. The project updated common areas and residential spaces across all three floors, with some ongoing additional apartment renovations.