Awards & Accolades
1. Pinal County’s Combs-Kenworthy Road Improvement Project received the American Public Works Association’s 2026 Public Works Project of the Year, Transportation award for projects valued between $5M and $25M. The roadway improvement project in San Tan Valley widened Combs Road and added a new segment of Kenworthy Road. The project also received the Arizona chapter’s Project of the Year award in the same category.
Groundbreakings
2. The University of Arizona recently broke ground on The Catalina, a nine-story residence hall that will house more than 1,300 students on its Tucson campus. Mortenson is the developer and general contractor. Mortenson Development is the development partner, and Collegiate Housing Foundation is the financing partner. The project is expected to open in fall 2028.
3. Mill Creek Residential has begun construction on Modera City North, a 330-unit luxury apartment community at 20711 N. 54th St. in north Phoenix. The project will feature one- to three-bedroom units ranging up to 1.5KSF. The first residents are expected to move in during summer 2028.
4. The I-19/Irvington Road Interchange Reconstruction Project began July 16 in Tucson. The $53.4M project includes a new Irvington Road bridge over I-19, wider freeway ramps and the widening of Irvington Road between Calle Santa Cruz and 16th Avenue. Construction is expected to be completed in spring 2028.
5. The Bahia Drive Drainage Improvements Project recently broke ground at WestWorld of Scottsdale as the first phase of the WestWorld Infrastructure Master Plan. The project will improve stormwater capacity and flood protection across the campus. Construction is expected to be completed before WestWorld’s event season begins in January 2027.
6. Construction is underway on the Cushing Street Skate Park in downtown Tucson. The $2.6M project will create the city’s first shaded outdoor skate park beneath Interstate 10. Durazo Construction is the general contractor, and the project was designed by Wheat, a J2 Design Studio, Grindline Skateparks, Psomas and GLHN Architects & Engineers. Construction is expected to take six months, opening around New Year’s.
Progress Reports
7. Construction is ongoing at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club clubhouse in Maricopa. The more than $20M project will nearly double the clubhouse from 11.3KSF to 23.6KSF and includes a new 7.6KSF putting green, expanded event space and additional support buildings. The putting green is expected to open in September, with a soft opening for the clubhouse planned for spring 2027.
8. Santa Rita Park is expected to reopen this fall following an $8M renovation of the 22-acre park at 401 E. 22nd St. in Tucson. Improvements include new ball fields, a walking trail, a splash pad, a covered playground and 300 newly planted trees. The project is funded through $5.5M in voter-approved Proposition 407 bond funds, a $150K Tohono O’odham Nation Gaming Grant and City of Tucson funds.
9. CrossRoads Church is expanding its campus at 2024 E. Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande with construction of the CrossRoads Compassion Center on an adjacent property the church acquired last year. Tod Miller is the architect, New Day Construction is the general contractor, Diablo Plumbing and Top Tier Plumbing are the plumbing contractors, Nick Lomeli LEI is the electrical contractor, and DWA Construction is handling the underground utilities, foundations, concrete and paving. The project is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027.
Completions
10. The Fire ‘N Ice Arena is nearing completion at 2727 W. Bronco Butte Trail in north Phoenix. The 250KSF, $190M sports and entertainment complex includes two National Hockey League-style ice rinks, a 2,500-seat arena, an on-site SSS Academy for student-athletes and a hotel. The arena is tentatively scheduled to open Aug. 15, with a Sept. 1 deadline.
11. Sun Life Health has opened its new 110KSF, four-story medical facility on Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande, following more than 16 years of planning. The new building consolidates most of the organization’s Casa Grande operations under one roof.