Author: Brianna Johnson

February prices for residential construction materials increased 1.6% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index report. Steel product prices dropped 9.9%, and gypsum products were down 1.9%. Ready-mix concrete prices rose 0.8%. Interior paint prices held steady after going up 21.2% and 30.3%, respectively over the last year. Softwood lumber was up a seasonably adjusted 2.6% after a 28.9% increase over the preceding two months. Framing lumber has more than tripled in price since August 2021. (Source)

A two-phase proposal from DLR Group to construct a new office building for Pinal County operations and raze old buildings as they are vacated has encountered resistance from the Board of Supervisors. Vice Chairman Jeff Serdy told fellow Board members March 9th he would prefer to see several different proposals brought forward for consideration. He also expressed resistance to leveling the current offices for a new “sterile” building. Pinal had spent $7M renovating the current historic office space following the Board expansion in 2012. DLR Group’s stated goal in proposing the new structure was to integrate it with the existing…

Even though it withdrew a request for request for qualifications last year, the City of Tempe is still interested in redeveloping the mostly vacant Danelle Plaza at the SWC of Mill and Southern avenues. The City owns 3.14 acres in the roughly 15-acre plaza, home of local landmark Yucca Tap Room and a hub for the Tempe alternative arts and culture scene. The earlier RFQ received responses from Guina Affiliated Developers and Miravista Holdings. Tempe withdrew the solicitation last June in the belief that the site would benefit from a more comprehensive and detailed redevelopment plan than originally sought. Representatives…

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors has approved plans for Lofts at Townsite, a 264-unit apartment plan with a self-storage and boat/RV storage component on site. Pinal County planning staff said the plan for the 32.25-acre development proposal near Earley Road and Noble Street had the support of Casa Grande planners as well. The Board approved a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning requests for the property, as well as an overlay zoning district. The landowners are David and Yukari Fitzgerald. The request applicant was EPS Group, Inc. (Source)

The Tohono O’odham Nation’s Ki:Ki Housing Association has been awarded $3.4M under the Community Development Block Grant American Rescue Plan for infrastructure projects that will provide clean water to villages in anticipation of future home construction. The grant is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The project is intended to build piping connections to deliver water. Funding will also cover the emergency construction of four manufactured residences. The current housing waiting list for tribal members numbers more than 400. The housing association’s current inventory under management is fewer than 500 rental and for-purchase units. The infrastructure plan is intended…

The Tohono O’odham Nation’s Ki:Ki Housing Association has been awarded $3.4M under the Community Development Block Grant American Rescue Plan for infrastructure projects that will provide clean water to villages in anticipation of future home construction. The grant is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The project is intended to build piping connections to deliver water. Funding will also cover the emergency construction of four manufactured residences. The current housing waiting list for tribal members numbers more than 400. The housing association’s current inventory under management is fewer than 500 rental and for-purchase units. The infrastructure plan is intended…

Tucson is working to implement a program that waives impact fees for private developers who build affordable housing in the city as part of the housing affordability plan adopted by City Council in December. The City had previously set aside $1M in impact fee subsidies in 2019 to incentivize nonprofit affordable housing development. Only five projects have made use of the subsidy, with approximately $265K in fees waived. Staff has reported more for-profit than nonprofit organizations are building affordable housing in the state, which has minimized the program’s reach. Housing and Community Development Department Director Terry Galligan informed council he…

Tucson is working to implement a program that waives impact fees for private developers who build affordable housing in the city as part of the housing affordability plan adopted by City Council in December. The City had previously set aside $1M in impact fee subsidies in 2019 to incentivize nonprofit affordable housing development. Only five projects have made use of the subsidy, with approximately $265K in fees waived. Staff has reported more for-profit than nonprofit organizations are building affordable housing in the state, which has minimized the program’s reach. Housing and Community Development Department Director Terry Galligan informed council he…

Some residents in the Recreation Centers of Sun City are urging the RCSC Board of Directors to proceed with the $40M plan to rebuild the Mountain View Center on 107th Avenue. Other residents had previously opposed the project or requested it be reduced in scale, leading to a 90-day moratorium in January for approving any contracts. Residents who objected expressed opposition to placing a gymnasium next to the existing theater performance area, the potential noise the recreation facility would create, potential parking and traffic problems, the cost and the elimination of some activities, among others. Those arguing in favor of…

Some residents in the Recreation Centers of Sun City are urging the RCSC Board of Directors to proceed with the $40M plan to rebuild the Mountain View Center on 107th Avenue. Other residents had previously opposed the project or requested it be reduced in scale, leading to a 90-day moratorium in January for approving any contracts. Residents who objected expressed opposition to placing a gymnasium next to the existing theater performance area, the potential noise the recreation facility would create, potential parking and traffic problems, the cost and the elimination of some activities, among others. Those arguing in favor of…