Author: BEX Staff

1.1 Purpose of the RFP The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit proposals from qualified engineering firms to provide professional services on an ongoing basis for planning, designing, and implementing water and wastewater infrastructure projects for JW Water. 1.2 Background Information Established in 2013, JW Water has a demonstrated track record of acquiring and making necessary investments to improve the operations and reliability of small and medium-sized water and wastewater utilities in Arizona. With the addition of the Robson utilities, JW Water will become a leading mid-market regulated water and wastewater utility platform with 18 utilities…

The Agua Fria Union High School District Governing Board has approved a $60M performing arts school project. Funded by a bond measure approved by voters in 2023, the new Fine Arts Academy & Performing Arts Center is planned to open in August 2026 and will be built in partnership with the City of Litchfield Park. The City is leasing the site on the La Loma Hilltop near Litchfield and Camelback roads to the District for $1/year over a 75-year term. Capacity will be between 400 and 500 students, according to project representatives, with all students being added at the same…

By BEX Staff for AZBEX The Florence Town Council held a first reading earlier this month for an ordinance to consider rezoning 110 acres at the SEC of Division Dam and Bowling roads from rural agricultural to light industrial to allow for future development. According to the submitted narrative, “The Property has been historically used for agricultural purposes and has several irrigation lines servicing the agricultural use of the Property. These lines are anticipated to be tiled/rerouted as needed or removed upon development. The Florence Canal traverses through the southeast corner of the Property, leaving approximately 1.4 acres of land…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX Creation is pivoting on how it wants to develop a 6.03-acre property at the NWC of Priest Drive and 3rd Street in Tempe. In its meeting this week, the Tempe Development Review Commission is scheduled to take up the developer’s request for a General Plan land use and density map amendment that would change the site designation from mixed-use urban to industrial. Creation is also requesting rezoning from mixed-use to industrial so it can put a two-building development of approximately 117KSF on the site. AZBEX originally reported on Creation’s plans for the location in April…

From the Editor Over the course of any given year, we normally receive around three death notices. This week, we have the unprecedented and sad responsibility to pass along three at one time. These three individuals have each contributed significantly to Arizona A/E/C in a variety of ways, and our community is better for their having been with us. We wish their families, friends and co-workers peace and comfort as they move forward, and to what powers may be, we offer our gratitude for having known them and benefitted from their years of service. With sincerest sympathies, Roland Murphy, on…

By Associated Builders and Contractors The construction industry added just 8,000 jobs on net in December, 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 increased by 196,000 jobs, an increase of 2.4%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 4,700 positions on net, with growth in all three subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added the most jobs, increasing by 3,900 positions. Heavy and civil engineering added 600 jobs, while nonresidential building added 200 jobs last month. The construction unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in December. Unemployment…

Giving Back 1. P.B. Bell has raised $12.5K for Entryway. Entryway is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that upskills at-risk individuals to get them work-ready for entry-level positions in the multifamily housing industry. Awards & Accolades 2. P.B. Bell’s Jen Santiago, Casey Hale and Jodi Silva recently graduated from the Arizona Multihousing Association Lyceum program. Lyceum is a yearlong volunteer leadership development program that focuses on the essential elements of successful leaders. 3. Valley Partnership announced its 2025 ADVOCATES graduates. The Class of 2025 includes: James Sullins, Alexander Building Company; Hayley Freestone, A.R. Mays; Brandon Ramirez, Ashton Woods; Connor Peagler, BFSO…

Sales Transactions 1. Cushman & Wakefield advised the sale and acquisition financing for Broadway 101 Commerce Park, an 809.2KSF multi-tenant industrial park spanning 11 buildings across 53 acres in Mesa. The sale set several local records including: the largest Phoenix industrial sale in 2024, the largest legacy industrial sale in Phoenix history, and the largest single transaction for an industrial park in Phoenix’s southeast Valley. CIP Real Estate purchased the property for $168.3M. The seller was Canyon Partners Real Estate LLC. C&W’s Will Strong, Michael Matchett and Molly Hunt represented the seller. The firm’s Mike Haenel, Andy Markham, Phil Haenel…

By Roland Murphy for AZBEX The Phoenix Planning Commission voted in favor of a rezoning that would allow UMOM New Day Centers to build a 192-unit multifamily development on 6.89 acres at the NEC of 39th and Grand avenues. The Alhambra Multifamily development site is currently covered by two different multifamily zoning types. The rezoning will establish a single zoning designation of R-4A (Multifamily Residence – General). Surrounding land uses consist of a school bus depot, a used car dealership, a restaurant, a freight railway and other industrial uses. According to the staff report prepared for the Commission and the…

As the former Metrocenter Mall continues its $850M redevelopment into The Metropolitan mixed-used master plan, Formation Interests is planning a new speculative industrial business park nearby. The plans for Formation Park 17, located east of Interstate 17, will redevelop a 22-acre former seven-building office site with four new buildings of between 95.2KSF and 111.6KSF. The total build area will be 425.3KSF, with space available for occupants needing between 20KSF and the full space. Likely tenants include warehouse/logistics and manufacturing companies, with semiconductor firms being one named possibility. The initial site plan received preliminary approval from the City last month. The…