Author: Brianna Johnson

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…

Mack Real Estate Group has purchased 124 acres in north Scottsdale. The developer paid $125M in an Arizona State Land Department auction for the site at Loop 101 and Bell Road. The plans have not been finalized for the combination of offerings for the mixed-use site, but final buildout could be up to 4.3MSF. Potential uses include residential, logistics/last mile and flex space. Mack Real Estate Group CEO Richard Mack was quoted as saying the industrial portion of the site could synergize well with the Mack Innovation Park in the Deer Valley area. Media reports state several different groups were…

Mack Real Estate Group has purchased 124 acres in north Scottsdale. The developer paid $125M in an Arizona State Land Department auction for the site at Loop 101 and Bell Road. The plans have not been finalized for the combination of offerings for the mixed-use site, but final buildout could be up to 4.3MSF. Potential uses include residential, logistics/last mile and flex space. Mack Real Estate Group CEO Richard Mack was quoted as saying the industrial portion of the site could synergize well with the Mack Innovation Park in the Deer Valley area. Media reports state several different groups were…

The Mesa Design Review Board recently discussed preliminary designs for a three-building 34-unit townhome development proposed at 1544 North Greenfield Road. The triangular 1.9-acre site sits north of Brown Road, adjacent to a canal. The for-rent townhome development would range from two to three stories and include pedestrian access to the canal area, a dog park, pocket parks and a pool. Two nearby residents spoke in opposition to the proposal, claiming, among other things, townhome residents would be able to see into single-family residents’ homes and yards, views would be obstructed, traffic and noise would increase and the development is…

The Mesa Design Review Board recently discussed preliminary designs for a three-building 34-unit townhome development proposed at 1544 North Greenfield Road. The triangular 1.9-acre site sits north of Brown Road, adjacent to a canal. The for-rent townhome development would range from two to three stories and include pedestrian access to the canal area, a dog park, pocket parks and a pool. Two nearby residents spoke in opposition to the proposal, claiming, among other things, townhome residents would be able to see into single-family residents’ homes and yards, views would be obstructed, traffic and noise would increase and the development is…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Pinal County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Queen Creek have both approved a Development and Intergovernmental Agreement for a new $2.8B industrial project planned in Queen Creek in their March 16th meetings. Both also approved a resolution in support of a Foreign Trade Zone application by ES America LLC that is related to the same project. The measures concern a site consisting of 650 acres of Arizona State Trust Land at Ironwood Drive and Germann Road in Queen Creek where ES America plans to build an approximately 1MSF manufacturing facility. Once operational,…

A recent report from Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona highlights the affordable housing crisis in the Flagstaff area, with Executive Director Devonna McLaughlin calling the state of affairs, “The worst I’ve ever seen it.” The 2022 rental attainability report is based on a survey of 50 traditional apartment homes totaling 8,405 units and 10 income-restricted developments totaling 730 units. The survey was conducted between November and January. The report finds a Flagstaff minimum-wage worker would have to work approximately 87 hours/week to rent a two-bedroom apartment, which average $1,758/month. A household would have to have an annual income of more…