Author: BEX Staff

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Goodyear Planning and Zoning Commission voted last week to recommend approval of Picerne Real Estate Group’s request to rezone 20 gross acres at the NEC of Monte Vista Road and Pebble Creek Parkway to allow for the development of a 383-unit multifamily community. The current multifamily zoning and planned area development overlay allows for up to 315 units. Picerne at Palm Valley is proposed for 383, which requires upzoning from MF-18 PAD to MF-24 with a PAD overlay. According to the submitted narrative, this will “provide for an increase in density to accommodate the…

By City of Mesa FlightSafety International has announced the expansion of its operations in Arizona with the construction of a new 100KSF Learning Center in Mesa. This expansion is part of FlightSafety’s broader growth strategy, building on the company’s long-standing presence in the state through its Tucson Learning Center and adds to its growing network of flagship training centers across the U.S. and around the world. The new Mesa facility is designed to meet rising demand for high-quality aviation training and reflects FlightSafety’s continued commitment to advancing aviation safety and preparedness. Groundbreaking is scheduled for October 2025, with the center…

By Move Over Bob Phoenix-based media company Move Over Bob has launched the first magazine specifically designed to inspire young women to explore careers in skilled trades, addressing an industry crisis where women represent fewer than 5% of workers and nearly 2 million construction jobs are projected to go unfilled by 2031. Move Over Bob Magazine will reach more than 20,000 girls through partnerships with 300+ schools, nonprofits, workforce programs, and the Arizona Department of Corrections. The name references the need to “move over” traditional male-dominated narratives and make room for women in construction. “We’re not just publishing a magazine;…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board has recommended approval of the requested rezonings for an overall site of 33.3 acres spanning the NWC and SWC of Ray and Hawes roads. According to the submitted narrative, “To address the need for a transition and meet market demand, a rezoning is proposed on the two western parcels to Light Industrial with PAD and Airfield Overlays. This rezoning would establish a crucial transition between the large-scale distribution and warehouse developments to the west and the new, smaller-scale flex-tech, employment-focused buildings and developments. “The two eastern parcels of Gateway…

Groundbreakings 1. Arizona Partners Retail Investment Group has begun demolition work inside the former Fry’s Food Store at Chandler’s Sunset Village Fair Shopping Center, at the NEC of Alma School and Warner roads. Arizona Partners bought the center in spring 2024 for $12.5M. Plans call for subdividing the space into three units and remodeling the center. Leases are currently being negotiated for the future units. Progress Reports 2. Maricopa County Department of Transportation will begin the next phase of the 12.5-mile Northern Parkway project in early 2026. Work will extend along Northern Avenue from the Agua Fria River to 103rd…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX – BEXclusive Pima County is the latest jurisdiction to impose tighter regulations on data center zoning and development. The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to direct Development Services Department staff to initiate a zoning code text amendment that requires additional review and public processes “for data centers and other large-scale users of water and electricity,” as part of its Aug. 18 meeting. The change would apply to properties zoned CI-2 General Industrial. The change in direction was requested by District 3 Supervisor and Board Vice Chair Jennifer Allen. In her memorandum to the Pima…

There are more than $40M worth of improvements scheduled this fiscal year for projects to rejuvenate and revitalize Old Town Scottsdale, ranging from major new construction to minor cosmetic enhancements. Parking Garages The bulk of the money will go toward two parking garages that are planned to provide relief for one of the areas’ biggest and most longstanding complaints. As with most things Scottsdale, however, there has been abundant controversy around the plans. The main source of contention has been the $15M garage planned for First Street and Brown Avenue. Despite the project having been planned and approved for quite…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Arizona Construction sector lost 400 jobs in July, according to the latest report published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. The national unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, up from 4.1% in June. In July 2024, Arizona had a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6%. The national rate was 4.2%. Arizona had a not-seasonally adjusted loss of 18,600 nonfarm employment jobs month-over-month. “Prior to the pandemic (2010-2019), private sector employment averaged a loss of 7,000 jobs in July,” the report states. Year-over-year results showed a…

By BEX Staff for AZBEX Aspirant Development, owner of The Astra Phoenix mixed-use tower development on 2.18 acres in downtown Phoenix, is pushing back the project’s construction start until the latter half of next year. Originally planned to start work in 2025, local news reports say the developer is still finalizing financing. If built to plan, Astra will become Phoenix’s tallest building, with a height of 541 feet. According to DATABEX, “The proposal calls for a luxury hotel, office, apartments and ground-floor restaurant and retail space. The apartments are planned to include both traditional units and co-living units, where residents…

The Tucson City Council is considering the implementation of an ordinance that would enact conservation rules on large water users and projects to protect the City’s water supply from thirsty developments. If implemented, the proposal would require new businesses using 7.48 million gallons of water a month to submit water conservation plans. Conservation plans would need to demonstrate how businesses plan to reduce water use, water losses and waste. The quantity of water adds up to roughly 90 million gallons annually. The threshold is set at the amount of water that would be used to serve 1,100 homes for a…