Author: BEX Staff

By Associated Builders and Contractors National nonresidential construction spending fell 0.7% in December 2021, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $820.7B for the month. Spending was down on a monthly basis in 11 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was virtually unchanged, but public nonresidential construction spending declined 1.6% in December. Overall nonresidential construction spending was up 3.9% from a year ago. Residential construction spending rose 14.7% over that time span. “Much of the increase in nonresidential construction spending…

Groundbreakings 1. ViaWest has begun construction on the three building, 500KSF Converge Logistics Center near I-10 and Ray Road. 2. Construction started on a the 409-space Parking Garage at The BLVD in Avondale, which will replace the current park-and-ride facility and handle both transit riders and visitors to the planned mixed-use project. 3. The Related Group has announced the start of construction at Town Chandler Apartments, a 420-unit development at Frye and Ellis roads in Chandler. 4. Caliber Companies will break ground this month on The Commons of Mesa, a 144-unit affordable housing development on S. MacDonald Drive. Progress Reports…

Gilbert nonprofit INSPIRE Music Service Hope is attempting to raise funds for a 65KSF performing arts theater destination in the town that would include a 600-seat main theater, 200-seat studio theater, a 10KSF administration space that includes a classroom, rehearsal, dressing rooms and scene shop area. INSPIRE Entertainment, the group’s for-profit business, runs a dance studio with more than 800 students. The nonprofit’s next fundraising event will be a gala on February 12th. The group is still looking at several potential sites for the project and there is no timeline for the planned center’s funding or construction. (Source)

Developer Harrison 15, LLC and the City of Kingman have been working together for more than a year on plans to produce a 400-unit workforce housing multifamily development north of I-40 near Centennial Park. City officials have noted both the shortage of workforce available units and the need to increase diversity in the housing supply in Kingman. No timeline estimate has been announced, but the zoning and permits are in place. The permit timeline was extended to ensure labor availability to build the project. Harrison 15 is working with contractor T.R. Orr, Inc. on the budget and delivery schedule, but…

Ross Stores Inc. has plans to build a regional distribution center of at least 1.6MSF on 213 acres in Buckeye at the SWC of Southern Avenue and Watson Road. The company bought the site from Globe Corporation for $28.3M. Globe was represented by JLL’s Tony Lydon and Marc Hertzberg in the transaction and still retains ownership of approximately 42 acres near the site. Additional project specifics have not yet been released. (Source)

Multimodal transportation options, wildlife disruption, carbon impacts and the effect on congestion relief were just some of the topics brought forth last week in an eight-hour Flagstaff City Council work session to discuss the Lone Tree-Butler Intersection design, part of the Lone Tree Overpass project. Jason Carlaftes, structures team manager of engineering firm WSP USA, reported on the overall improvement proposal, including separated sidewalks and bike lanes, noting that new roadway and bike lines miles are roughly equal. He also reported the project would cause only marginal initial increases to the Vehicle Miles Traveled rating for the area, which could…

Arizona State University and the Arizona Coyotes are negotiating an agreement that would let the hockey team play at ASU’s new arena while it works to find or create a permanent home. The City of Glendale opted not to renew the Coyotes’ lease at Gila River Arena after multiple issues between the two parties over the past several years. The Coyotes are planning to build a stadium and entertainment district on 46 City-owned acres in Tempe, but the proposal has encountered opposition from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport officials and is still under review and evaluation by Tempe. Even if…

Giving Back 1. The PICOR Charitable Foundation raised $124,910 for Tucson- non-profit youth programs. The Foundation’s multi-year lead donor, the Burton Family Foundation, provided a dollar-for-dollar matching grant for all funds raised. This, combined with significant donations from Schnitzer Properties and PICOR Commercial Real Estate set the pace with a myriad of contributions from clients, vendors, employees and community members. A total of 45 non-profits were awarded program grants. Awards & Accolades 2. Solterra Materials LLC’s Buckeye Plant has been awarded the 2021 Diamond Achievement Commendation for Excellence in Asphalt Plant/Site Operations by the National Asphalt Pavement Association. 3. AZRE…

Sales Transactions 1. Following redevelopment and renovation of the former student housing property Gateway Apartments in 2018, Holualoa Companies recently sold the 272-unit Sonoran Reserve apartment complex in Tucson for $61.6M. 2. Epic Investment Services has purchased Urban 188 and Urban 96 on W. Camelback Road in Phoenix for a total of $52M. The seller was Urban 1601 Property, LLC. The properties, totaling 284 units, will be added to the Epic Multifamily Real Estate Fund I LP. Chris Roach, Brad Cooke, Matt Roach and Cindy Cooke of Colliers in Arizona negotiated the sale transaction. Fidelity National Title handled the title…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Mohave County Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval for a solar overlay to enable a solar project of up to 200MW to move forward along Yucca Drive west of Continental Road near Griffith. Owner/developer Greenstone Energy (Greenstone Capital) is developing the project through its affiliate Mysterious Island Development Co LLC. According to the Commission’s agenda packet, Mysterious Island Development is acting on behalf of Havasu Golden Valley, LLC and Western Progress Co. The roughly 1,484-acre site is currently vacant. Surrounding land uses include another solar facility, a prison, industrial sites and more vacant…