Author: BEX Staff

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX (BEXclusive) The Call for Entries for the 16th Annual Canstruction Phoenix Metro has been issued. The annual design-build competition benefitting St. Mary’s Food Bank will once again be held at Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale. Teams will showcase their talent by designing and building structures made entirely from canned foods in a 10’x10’x10’ space in one of the mall’s three courts. This year’s theme is “A Holiday for Any Season!” Important dates to remember include: PreCanstruction May 4th Canstruction 101 Presentation (Optional) May 5th Entry and $250 fee due May 8th Team Packets Sent Out …

By Arizona Department of Transportation The Arizona Department of Transportation and partner agencies will hold a free event from 7 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 3, at Mesa Convention Center (Building C) to help small businesses and those owned by individuals from socially and economically disadvantaged groups compete for transportation contracts that receive federal funding. Offered through ADOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, the DBE and Small Business Transportation EXPO helps attendees learn about project opportunities, visit exhibit booths and network with industry professionals and business owners. Participants will also hear from transportation leaders, including ADOT Director Jennifer Toth. Partner agencies…

Groundbreakings 1. The Tohono O’Odham Nation kicked off construction this week on its new $450M, 200KSF+ Desert Diamond Casino near Northern Parkway and the Loop 303 freeway. The new facility is the fifth Desert Diamond operation in the state. The first phase will feature the gambling, entertainment and dining components, while a second phase could include a hotel, convention space, and additional retail and dining. No Phase II information is available yet.  2. The Arizona Department of Transportation began major work this week on a $171M project to rebuild and widen I-10 from Ruthrauff to Ina roads in the Tucson…

By BEX Staff for AZBEX A roughly 70-acre, three-project master plan development has received a recommendation for rezoning approval by the Coolidge Planning and Zoning Commission. BSD Coolidge 26, LLC (Edgewood Development) wants to build a mix of commercial space, condominiums and rental units on three parcels at the SEC of Coolidge Avenue and Ninth Street. The parcels are currently zoned Agricultural. The northernmost parcel (7.41 acres) would feature commercial services including retail and small business/commercial office space. The rezoning request is from Agricultural to General Business. The middle parcel (20.38 acres) would be comprised of 221 multifamily units disbursed…

The Guadalupe Town Council voted last month to enter into negotiations with a developer to build affordable housing, retail, a community center and open space on four town-owned properties near Calle Guadalupe and Avenida del Yaqui. The Town selected a proposal from developer Richman Group in response to a request it issued seeking to create more affordable housing. Richman’s response was one of three considered. The developer’s proposal will build 230 affordable apartment units targeted toward families and seniors, 3KSF of retail space and 5KSF of community space. According to information provided by the Guadalupe Community Development Corporation, there are…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX A pair of planned multifamily developments will, if built, deliver another 508 apartments in Phoenix. A Planned Unit Development has been submitted for the 300-unit Thomas + 34th Street community at the SEC of 34th Street and Thomas Road, and the Phoenix Planning Commission will hear plans for the 208-unit Camelback Apartments near the SWC of Camelback Road and 39th Avenue on April 13. 34th Street + Thomas Aspirant Development (The Empire Group) submitted its PUD narrative for a project with 300 apartments and 6KSF of restaurant/retail uses to the Phoenix Planning and Development Department…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX Martens Development Company plans to build an eight-building, 909.6KSF industrial park on 63.18 acres at Ellsworth and Willis roads in Mesa. The Mesa Design Review Board discussed the building elevations and landscape design at its March 14 meeting. According to the submitted project narrative, The Brickyards on Ellsworth “is a master planned business park with employment, manufacturing and technology uses as the primary uses, and other employment uses as secondary uses. The mix of building options, and build-to-suit configurations are designed to make this site fit for the variety of employment uses that Mesa desires…

The Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp. recently presented information on why the City of Yuma and Yuma County continue to see strong economic development and business location and expansion. Key factors include a young, skilled labor force, a low rate of unionization and a location that puts the area within a one-day drive of 52 million consumers. The personnel at Yuma Proving Ground and the Marine Corps Air Station bring their qualifications with them when they leave military service, and the Wellton campus of Arizona Western College has a strong manufacturing program. The labor pool within 75 miles of Yuma…

Giving Back 1. Rosendin has announced its newest project built just for kids. Rosendin’s Tempe team redesigned its booth at Junior Achievement of Arizona into an interactive storefront demonstrating how an electrical company conducts business within the community. JA BizTown® is a hands-on program for 4th, 5th and 6th graders in Arizona that teaches students how to manage finances, run a business, and explore career paths, all while stimulating the economy. The program assigns each student a role that takes them on a personalized path to learn about owning a business. Company News 2. Land use and real estate law…

Sales Transactions 1. RecNation LLC has paid $6.3M for the 11-acre, 303-space RecNation RV and Boat Storage at 6455 S. Wilmot Road in Tucson. The seller was original developer SimonCRE. Both parties self-represented. 2. Olive Tree Apts LLC purchased Olive Tree Apartments, 16KSF investment property at 1841 S. Irving Ave. in Tucson. The 20-unit apartment was purchased from 1841 S Irving LLC for $2M. Allan Mendelsberg and Joey Martinez with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR represented both parties. Lease Transactions 3. Equality Health has committed to a 10-year lease for approximately 150KSF at the Riverwalk in Scottsdale on the Salt…