Author: BEX Staff

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX Demand for electrical power in the next several years is rapidly outpacing existing supply, and utility providers face a daunting task in developing enough capacity, particularly if they are to meet their CO2 reduction goals. Investment in solar and wind energy has been extensive, but both generation methods face difficulties with development, output and infrastructure, as well as increasing political resistance. The Arizona Republic recently reported the state’s three main electricity providers—Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power—are combining exploration of new nuclear power developments that can increase their output without increasing…

By BEX Staff for AZBEX Waste Management of Arizona is requesting a zoning change for a 3.42-acre site on East Valley Road in Prescott Valley to allow for the development of new facilities on a refuse transfer station property it acquired from Patriot Disposal. The site was once two separate parcels that were combined in 2022 and has operated as a transfer station for several years, according to the staff report. Waste Management wants to change the entire property’s zoning to Industrial: General Limited to allow it to make improvements on the site. Those improvements include the demolition of three…

By Associated Builders and Contractors National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in December 2024, 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 $1.241T. Spending was down on a monthly basis in nine of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending increased 0.1%, while public nonresidential construction spending was down 0.5% in December. “Public sector nonresidential spending fell sharply in the last month of 2024, but that decline was likely a short-term phenomenon as the transition between presidential administrations and cold weather delayed construction…

Awards & Accolades 1. Achen-Gardner Construction was awarded a Build Arizona Award from the Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors of America. Achen-Gardner received the award for its PVC-Lined Concrete Sewer Pipe and Manhole Rehabilitation North CMAR project in Phoenix. Groundbreakings 2. The Arizona Department of Transportation announced work has begun on a widening project for U.S. Highway 93. The entire long-term project will see the road link between Las Vegas and Phoenix. The $81M portion of the project will widen four miles of U.S. 93 between Wikieup and Interstate 40. Work is expected to finish in 2027. 3. The joint…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The expected referendum opposing the Scottsdale City Council’s approval of Axon Enterprise’s master-planned corporate campus and headquarters development at Hayden Road and Mayo Blvd. has economic development leaders nervous. News reports announced Scottsdale City Clerk Ben Lane has certified the petition drive by opposition group Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions secured enough valid signatures to put the matter before voters. While TAAAZE leader, former City Councilmember Bob Littlefield, and other opponents have said they welcome the planned 401KSF headquarters that was originally approved, they oppose the nearly 1,900 multifamily units, six retail buildings, 435-room…

By BEX Staff for AZBEX Cypress Development Partners is seeking to update plans for a 23-acre site near 27th Avenue and Rose Garden Lane that dates back to 1997. Even though the site plan and design guidelines were approved, nothing was ever developed. A local news outlet reports the site is currently owned by Safeway, which worked with CBRE to find a buyer, ultimately leading to Cypress. According to materials submitted to the City of Phoenix, Cypress’ update will require several stipulation modifications and other plan changes from the original approval. The Phoenix Planning Hearing Officer is expected to hear…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX Since we broke the story of the KOREPlex site in Buckeye quietly going on the market and confirmed the demise of the planned $1.5B-plus battery plant, several new details have come to light. (AZBEX, Jan 31) While we won’t devote a lot of resources to reporting on a dead project, several of these newly disclosed items will continue to impact Arizona companies and projects for some time to come. As a result, we feel compelled to give them due coverage. Yates Recorded a $10.4M Mechanics’ and Materialmen’s Lien On Jan. 14, KOREPlex general contractor Yates…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX In its Feb. 5 study session, the Gilbert Planning Commission will discuss an amendment to the Bella Storia Planned Area Development, along with plans for a new 367-unit apartment community as part of the Bella Storia Master Plan at the NWC of Power and Williams Field roads. No action will be taken during the meeting. According to the staff report, the PAD amendment seeks to update the approved development plan for a 13.07-net-acre portion of the site located at the NEC of Williams Field Road and Delatorre Drive. That location is already approved for a…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX A planned project that would finish a connection between the Salt River Project and the Central Arizona Project, which together supply water to more than 80% of the Arizona population, has been awarded $154M in funding under the Inflation Reduction Act. The SRP/CAP Interconnection Facility is being pursued by a partnership of central Arizona communities and water companies. Rep. Greg Stanton’s announcement explained the project will allow “for water deliveries from the Salt River Federal Reclamation project to upstream users along the Central Arizona Project and the Colorado River.” The Arizona Republic reported local government…

By National Association of Home Builders With President Trump announcing that he plans to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods coming into the United States, the National Association of Home Builders is urging the president to exempt building materials from the proposed tariffs because of their harmful effect on housing affordability. Tariffs on lumber and other building materials increase the cost of construction and discourage new development, and consumers end up paying for the tariffs in the form of higher home prices. In a letter to the president, NAHB noted that on his first day in office Trump…