Author: BEX Staff

By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX After delays stemming from the pandemic, it appears that The District at Copper Sky is once again moving forward in conjunction with the Seasons Living at Copper Sky senior housing in Maricopa. However, the southernmost portion of the development may be headed in a different direction after a recent land sale bid opportunity from the City. Shea Connelly has submitted a pre-app for a luxury multifamily development with ground-level retail. The large, mixed-use development is located at the SEC of SR 347 and Bowlin Road in Maricopa. The north phase of the project is comprised…

Phoenix is planning to introduce its first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along 35th Avenue, which will provide faster, more reliable, and more convenient public transportation options for commuters in the area. The route will stretch 13.6 miles, from the former MetroCenter Mall at Dunlap Ave. at the north to Van Buren St. in the south. It will also stretch east along Van Buren to end at Central Avenue. This first path represents roughly 1/5 of the total BRT planned in the overall T2050. The BRT system will include dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal priority, and level boarding platforms, among…

The City of Mesa is currently considering building a large-scale natural gas plant on land next to the Rogers Substation at University Drive and Stapley Road. The City currently supplies natural gas to residents via city-owned supply. In addition, the City purchased Magma, a natural gas utility, back in 1980 and provides natural gas to a separate and distinct area of the City through this city-owned utility. Mesa operates Magma as a revenue-generating enterprise. Nearby in Queen Creek, the LG lithium-ion battery factory is slated to rely on the City of Mesa to supply their natural gas. Mesa officials are…

Giving Back 1. Last year, about 6,000 volunteers picked up 12,500 bags of trash from along Arizona’s highways. The equivalent dollar amount associated with this volunteer effort is about $628,785. Considering that — that’s a lot of dollars that could be used to dispose of trash properly. As we celebrate National Volunteer Week Director Toth and ADOT wants to thank these dedicated volunteers who spend personal time and resources year-round helping keep our highways clear of litter. 2. Evolve Ventures recently held a panel discussion, Modern Networking: Using Your Personal Interests to Build Relationships and Seal Deals. The event was held at…

Sales Transactions 1. Scottsdale-based Rise48 Equity paid $42M for its latest acquisition at 2015 W. Cactus Road in Phoenix. Plans call for investing an additional $5M into the 186-unit Springs Apartments according to a quote by Zach Haptonstall, CEO of Rise48 Equity. It will be rebranded to Rise Desert Cove.  2. Flagstaff Shelter Services has purchased a Motel 6 in Flagstaff for $8.95M to provide transitional housing to the unsheltered population. The facility is dubbed ‘The Lantern’ in a nod to the Motel 6 slogan ‘We’ll leave a light on for you’.  3. The State of Arizona has purchased an office property located…

By Cushman & Wakefield Stockdale Capital Partners is committing more than $20M on a major renovation plan to finish converting Ilume Innovation Center in Scottsdale to be a fully lab-enabled life science facility. The renovation will also include several move-in-ready wet lab suites, and upgraded tenant amenities including a fitness center, 110-person capacity auditorium, meeting space, tenant lounge, and 1.5-acre rooftop garden. Ilume is a versatile 370KSF Class A, LEED-certified building able to serve life sciences, medical and office tenants. The building was originally designed by famed architect Will Bruder and served as the former Henkel North American headquarters. In…

By BEX Staff for AZBEX The Casa Grande City Council is considering a request to amend the Mission Ranch II Planned Area Development at Peart and Rodeo roads to allow for a 183-unit multifamily development on approximately 16 acres. The current designation calls for office and commercial uses. Owner Rodeo/Peart LLC/Mission Ranch II Investments, LLC plans to build a gated townhome community at the location. Planned amenities include open space, a trail system and bike paths. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request in its March meeting, as did planning staff in its report to City…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX Nearly 120 people descended on SkySong this week for BEX Companies’ April Leading Market Series event. The session’s theme was “Upcoming Public Works Projects.” Sundt served as the event sponsor. After a brief introduction from BEX Founder and President Rebekah Morris, the panel of leading public works officials wasted no time diving into their current project lists, along with some spirited discussion on the state of the public project market, challenges and potential solutions. The panel was comprised of: Moderator Jeff Hamilton—VP of Transportation & SW Region Business Development Manager, Sundt; Lance Webb—Assistant City Engineer,…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Casa Grande City Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a first hearing this week to consider a request from IndiCap for a major General Plan amendment that would be the first step in developing Nexus Industrial—a 317.78-acre light industrial park near the NEC of Cottonwood Lane and Henness Road. IndiCap wants the current General Plan category of Neighborhoods on 162.54 acres at the site changed to Commerce and Business to match the rest of the site and allow development under the same category for the entire site. If the amendment is approved, the project…

The City of Phoenix passed a prevailing wage rule last month that requires construction companies working on City projects of $250K or more to pay employees wages comparable to regional skilled labor wages. The rule was added to the City Council agenda one day before the March 22 vote and was amended during the meeting before it passed on a 5-4 margin. Both the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the Goldwater Institute have come out against the new rule and urged its repeal. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego opposed the measure and voted against it. A Gallego spokesperson said Council will…