Author: BEX Staff

Groundbreakings 1. Big-D Midwest broke ground on Marbella Ranch, a 144-unit multi-family development in Glendale. The project includes five buildings—four 36-unit residential buildings and a standalone clubhouse. The project was developed in collaboration with Real Estate Equities and Kaas Wilson Architects. Phase I is slated for completion in spring 2027. 2. Evergreen Devco, Inc. broke ground on The Homestead at Lehi, a $62.5M, 222-unit multifamily development at 2261 E. McDowell Road in Mesa. The three-story project team included MT Builders as general contractor, BMA Architecture as architect, Atwell for engineering and construction services and Collaborative-V Design Studio for landscape architectural…

The Indian Health Service has chosen the Ak-Chin Indian Community for a new Tribal healthcare facility as part of the IHS Joint Venture Construction Program. Seven recipients were announced across the country, with Ak-Chin as the only Arizona tribe selected. Notably, Ak-Chin is the first-ever Phoenix area participant. The project will replace an outdated existing 2KSF clinic. To date, the program has contributed to the operation or expansion of 30 facilities nationwide. The selection was announced in a meeting between Ak-Chin Chairman Gabriel Lopez and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., IHS will lease the facility…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Eloy Planning and Zoning Commission met to consider a major General Plan amendment and rezoning for 310 acres, roughly a quarter mile east of the NEC of Sunland Gin and Shedd roads, to allow for a new development area featuring light industrial and multifamily components. The hearing was for discussion purposes only, and no action was taken. Eloy’s General Plan currently lists the property as Community Commercial and Light Industrial. Owner RMG Real Estate Services III, L.L.C., which traces to real estate investment firm Vaulter (formerly known as McRae Gomez), is requesting an amendment…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX After roughly two decades of starts and stops, a Nov. 26 development agreement approved by Mesa City Council could kick off the most ambitious plan yet for the 80-acre site of the former Fiesta Mall at Southern Avenue and Alma School Road. While the area around the former mall has seen significant private and public investment over the last decade, a definitive solution for the core site has remained elusive. Plans have ranged from a medical education and associated campus to a mixed-use master development with multifamily, commercial and flex-office uses. (AZBEX; March 20, 2023)…

By Associated Builders and Contractors Construction input prices increased 0.2% in September compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.2% for the month. Overall construction input prices were 3.5% higher than in September 2024, while nonresidential construction input prices were 3.8% higher. Prices decreased in all three energy categories in September. Natural gas and unprocessed energy materials prices were down 8.7% and 3.0%, respectively, while crude petroleum prices were down 1.7% in September. “Construction input prices rose for…

Giving Back 1. Sundt Construction raised $205.8K through the company’s annual St. Mary’s Food Bank Holiday Fundraiser, marking the highest total ever raised by the Tempe-based general contractor for its annual charity drive. The total equates to one million meals distributed throughout the community. Employee-owners donated, and Sundt matched contributions dollar-for-dollar. 2. Achen-Gardner Construction donated turkeys to the City of Mesa Engineering Department and United Food Bank’s annual Turkey Tuesday Drive on November 18. Additionally, the construction company sponsored the Gilbert Days Parade on Nov. 22, volunteered at Feed My Starving Children in Tempe on Nov. 21, and participated in…

Sales Transactions 1. Tierra Partners III LLC, an affiliate of James Shough, recently purchased Paradise Valley Marketplace at Shea and Tatum blvds. for $45M. The buyer was self-represented. The seller, Kite Realty Group Trust’s KRG Phoenix LLC, was represented by CBRE’s Ryan Shubert and Michael Hackett. The site will be anchored by restaurant supply seller Shamrock Foodservice Warehouse, which replaces a vacant Whole Foods grocery store. 2. Commercial Properties, Inc. announced the $3.2M sale of 5455 S. Nogales Hwy. The 5.05-acre industrial outdoor storage property features a 12.8KSF industrial building. The property is located south of I-10 and north of…

By Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona has advanced four water importation proposals into a study phase to bring new, reliable water into the State. WIFA’s Board of Directors has selected Acciona-Fengate Water Augmentation Alliance and EPCOR Water Innovation Partners to further evaluate four water importation projects through its Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund program.  As part of WIFA’s water augmentation program, 17 teams submitted their qualifications for developing new, resilient water supplies for Arizona. Following the qualification process, six water importation proposals were submitted and underwent extensive review by an evaluation team and WIFA’s LTWAF…

By Associated Builders and Contractors The construction industry added 19,000 jobs on net in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has grown by 38,000 jobs, an increase of 0.5%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 16,300 positions, with gains in all three subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 11,100 jobs, while heavy and civil engineering and nonresidential building added 4,900 and 300 jobs, respectively. The construction unemployment rate increased to 3.8% in September. Unemployment across all industries increased from 4.3% in August to…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Buckeye Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to hear two projects this week that will, if ultimately approved, continue fueling the area’s expansive and ongoing growth. In his presentation at the BEX 2025 Public Works Conference in October, Riley Quinlan, contract deputy director of CIP for City of Buckeye, explained the sheer size and massive opportunity for development in the locale. As we reported at the time, “In terms of size, Buckeye is large enough to fit 16 other Valley cities within its planning area, which is only 14% built out. Buckeye has a…