Groundbreakings
1. Three “state-of-the art” data centers that Microsoft Corp. has begun constructing in Goodyear and El Mirage will employ a total of 110 people in their first phases, which are planned to open around 2021. The first phase for the Goodyear sites will total 486KSF while the first phase of the El Mirage site will total 254KSF.
2. McCarthy Building Companies broke ground on construction of a new 220KSF medical tower at Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center earlier this month. Slated to open in spring 2021, Tower D will bring the medical facility’s total bed count to 429. The tower’s project team also includes Devenney Group Architects, WSP, Stantec, RVi, Buehler Engineering, Cannon & Wendt Electrical Co., TDIndustries, The Berg Group, and Schuff Steel Management Company.
Progress Reports
3. Infrastructure for Crown Realty & Development’s $16M, 96-acre City North project at 56th St and the Loop 101, Phoenix, began construction in June and is expected to be complete in April 2020. Coe & Van Loo Consultants is the engineer and A.R. Mays Construction is the general contractor. Once completed, the development may include up to 2,500 residential units, 2MSF of office, 500 hotel rooms and 100KSF of retail.
4. In June, Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS) initiated a $1M expansion project, which features the addition of a second floor to its main facility on Huntington Drive. The added space will allow the organization to shelter a total of 163 individuals on-site, nearly doubling the building’s capacity. By the end of September, over 77 additional unsheltered individuals could find temporary refuge.
5. The $20M, 293KSF, five-level Oregon Street Parking Garage in Chandler is expected to be complete in November and will hold 932 parking spots. McCarthy Building Companies is the general contractor and Kitchell CEM is the construction manager. The project includes intersection improvements at Arizona Ave and Chicago St. It’s west of City Hall and will provide spaces for the New Square development and additions to the Historic Square.
6. The Tohono O’odham Nation began construction on the new 75KSF Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale back in December 2017 and the casino and parking garages are now taking shape near Loop 101. The opening of the casino in January is the first phase in the tribe’s plan for the site, which also includes building a full-service resort. There is no timeline yet for the construction of the resort.
Completions
7. AT&T recently opened its new $7.6M, 300KSF call center at 1355 W. University Drive., Mesa, in a renovated 1986-era building, bringing 500 jobs.
8. Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) recently rolled out the red carpet to welcome Academies of Math and Science (AMS) Peoria Advanced K-7 students to their new 48KSF school. The project, located at 7785 W. Peoria Avenue, Peoria, will officially welcomed students to their first day of classes.
9. Phase I of the new $108M Tolleson High School at Avondale and Encanto Boulevard has completed construction. Architect, ADM Group and general contractor, Chasse Building Team are still working on Phase II which includes a performing arts center and additional sports facilities and fields. A classroom building and fine arts building along with a football field are expected to be completed in December, while a performing arts center should be done in May.
10. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 27 for the new and improved Gila Crossing Community School, 4665 W. Pecos Road, Laveen. The school has advanced technology and myriad ways to accommodate students of different abilities.
11. Achen-Gardner Construction has recently completed a couple of utility projects including the installation of more than 1,300 LF of 18” storm drain along Vista Avenue from 27th Avenue to Black Canyon Highway, and the rehabilitation of more than 3,200 LF of 8” DIP and VCP sewer lines in Paradise Valley using ultraviolet light cured-in-place-pipe (UV CIPP).