Author: BEX Staff

In a recent column, JE Dunn Construction SVP and Southwest Division Leader Brad Schenck described some of the processes his company is using to improve delivery times for projects in the rapidly expanding data center industrial market. Among the creative solutions Schenck mentioned were: Modular Construction, in which components are prefabricated in a separate facility and delivered to the construction site as needed via modular containers or open skids. If the client has premade skids on-site, the risks to the schedule from having necessary components ready when needed is eliminated. Advanced Work Packaging, which combines planning, prefab and modular components…

Groundbreakings 1. Construction on the 297-unit Mesquite Terrace affordable housing community on 19th Avenue near Camelback broke ground this summer. Delivery is expected in 2023. Catholic Charities’ Housing for Hope, Inc. affiliate, and Trinity Development, LLC are co-developers. 2. Greenlight Communities has announced a summer construction start for Cabana Southern, a 250-unit affordable community at Crismon and Southern avenues in Mesa. Progress Reports 3. Mattress manufacturer MLILY USA has occupied phase 1 of its planned facility in the Glendale G303 and announced its intent to another 683.9KSF in a new, adjoining facility. The company intends to occupy the space by…

By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX A new flex industrial development is being planned for a vacant site on the NWC of Germann Road and Northrop Boulevard in Chandler. US Capital Development recently submitted plans to the City of Chandler and is requesting Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) approval for site layout and building architecture for the project, known as Chandler Airpark 202. Not to be confused with the 1.4MSF Airpark 202 industrial project on Warner Road in Mesa that was recently approved by Mesa City Council, Chandler Airpark 202 is proposed to include approximately four, one-story, concrete tilt buildings totaling approximately…

The City of Tempe received one bid for the redevelopment of a 46-acre site near Tempe Town Lake that could become the home of a new mixed-use arena and entertainment district housing the Arizona Coyotes. The team confirmed last week it submitted its proposal, and City officials confirmed the receipt of one bid, from Bluebird Development. Neither party elaborated on the content. Tempe’s RFP sought a mixed-use development with a sports area, multifamily residential and retail. City staff will now review the proposal and make recommendations to Tempe City Council. A contract could be awarded by the end of the…

Tucson has lined up against a controversial power line project proposal from Tucson Electric Power. The City Council has voted to direct the City Attorney to intervene in the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee hearings on TEP’s Kino to DeMoss-Petrie high-voltage transmission line project. The proposal for a 138KV overhead transmission line starting at a substation at 36th Street and South Kino Parkway has drawn significant opposition. The utility says the project is necessary to accommodate capacity needs to provide green power to the University of Arizona. Opponents have protested the planned route through or near historic…

Even with homebuilding in the Phoenix area projected to hit its highest levels in nearly a decade-and-a-half, and multifamily building hovering near records, the Valley’s nearly insatiable demand continues to send prices and rents soaring out of reach for many potential residents. Key to the rising cost equation are shortages in construction materials and skilled labor, which push out delivery times and raise prices. The Biden Administration has set a goal of spending $300B to increase the national affordable housing supply by more than two million units. Affordable housing is just one of a broad array of social spending goals…

Giving Back 1. The Arizona Coyotes, the Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University (ASU), and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at ASU, have announced new program partners for the upcoming Arizona Coyotes Venture Challenge, Mortenson and DLA Piper. The Arizona Coyotes Venture Challenge will provide a launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs while keeping the Coyotes on the forefront of new sport-related innovation. The call for applications will open September 13th, 2021, and close on October 24th, 2021, it will culminate with a hybrid virtual/live pitch competition in early December 2021 at ASU Demo Day. Company News 2.…

Sales Transactions 1. A Delaware-based entity managed by Greenberg Traurig paid $125M for the former Chrysler Proving Grounds in Wittmann. The seller of the land was iStar. The most interesting aspect of the blockbuster deal for the 5,458 acres is that some reports say Apple is behind the entity, which means the site is likely to become the primary testing grounds for the Apple Car. 2. Decron Properties purchased Broadstone Grand, a 300-unit multifamily community at 1003 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, for $106.5M. The seller was undisclosed. 3. Bridge Investment Group purchased The District at Fiesta Park, a 321-unit multifamily…

By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX On September 16th, The Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission will hear a request for a new photovoltaic solar power plant to be located southeast of the City of Eloy in unincorporated Pinal County. Boulevard Associates, LLC, an affiliate of NextEra Energy, is requesting an amendment to the Pinal County Comprehensive Plan, to redesignate approximately 1.3 acres from Medium Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, High Density Residential, General Commercial and General Public Facilities/Services to Green Energy Production and General Public Facilities/Services. The project, known as the Eloy Valley Solar Project, is proposed to include…

Mesa City Council has granted the necessary zoning changes, site plan and other requests necessary for the AirPark 202 industrial project to proceed. Plans call for a nearly 1.5MSF development on 100 acres at the SEC of Warner and Sossaman roads. The six building business park proposed by LaPour Partners and Scottsdale Investment Management will focus on warehouse and manufacturing uses. Ware Malcomb is the design firm. Engineering services are provided by TLCP Structural Inc. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering is through Sazan Group. Studio DPA is the landscape architect. (Source)