Apple announces second campus, promises to bring 20,000 jobs. In a move that has “Thanks tax-code overhaul!” written all over it, Apple has announced that it will “be building a second headquarters somewhere in the U.S.” Curbed says the move, part of a ‘$350 billion U.S. investment,” may spark an “Amazon #HQ2-like scramble among cities.” (No reports yet of anyone from Tucson sending Apple a cactus, but PBJ does have this: “Phoenix ‘a strong contender’ for new Apple campus as company brings billions back to U.S.”) Access both reports here: http://bit.ly/2FQjrp4
‘GRUELING’ BUT ‘WURTH IT’ –Renovations are complete on Roosevelt Row’s Wurth House. “Built in 1911, the house was originally located on the north side of Roosevelt Street. In May 2015, [Local First Arizona founder Kimber] Lanning had the home moved to the south side of the street so that it wouldn’t be demolished to make way for new development… [S]he figured renovations would take 12 to 18 months. Instead, it took 2 1/2 [‘grueling’] years.” Phoenix New Times. http://bit.ly/2mLhPEm
Sunrise Luxury Living unveils AZ community. “Built by hardison/downeyconstruction” at Frank Lloyd Wright and the 101, Houston-based Sun Luxury Living’s “Core Scottsdale offers 282 units, spread across studio, one- and two-bedroom units.” Short-term leases are also in play at this new apartment community. Get further details and take in the poolside rendering at Multi-Housing News. http://bit.ly/2DMJOM8
Business Briefcase: The Gates at Goodyear Ballpark coming soon. new 80-unit condo high-rise, with “office, dining and retail space below,” is “set for a spot adjacent to Goodyear Ballpark.” Fair Development CEO Andra Fair talks about the The Gates — its construction timeline and the project’s brainchild — in West Valley View. (NOTE: “Business Briefcase” also features a snippet or two on David Weekley Homes “now selling properties” in Litchfield Park at Windrose,) http://bit.ly/2DgUYYm
24 percent of all U.S. homes sold in 2017 were above asking price. <– “[N]etting sellers an additional $7,000 each. Five years ago, 17.8 percent of final sale prices were higher than the asking price.” How much above list did homes in PHOENIX go for? That info and other highlights from the 2017 Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, in World Property Journal. http://bit.ly/2DiEY86
Taylor Morrison named most trusted home builder. “Lifestory Research survey of more than 30,000 people nets the builder highest trust score for thirdconsecutive year.” Builder. http://bit.ly/2DoWyvm
…and Shea’s Trilogy tops 55+ in trust again. “This is the sixth consecutive year Trilogy has received this distinction, which is based on the opinions of 12,119 responses of people over the age of 50 actively shopping for a new active adult resort home.” Builder. http://bit.ly/2Dnl6ot
Florence Copper opponents skeptical of air quality claims. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Southwest Value Partners in its fight to stop the mine from locating in the middle of the Pulte Merrill ranch family community.) “Florence Copper claims it has made further strides in controlling airborne emissions at its future operations, but many of those attending a hearing Tuesday at the Pinal County government complex weren’t persuaded their worries were over.” PinalCentral. http://bit.ly/2BbmF3b
Senator to kill Arizona bill that would make it easier for HOAs to foreclose. “Citing a barrage of media coverage and public concern, Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, told The Arizona Republic on Wednesday that he will withdraw his bill that would have… allowed HOAs to foreclose on homeowners after six months of missed payments, with no minimum debt.” Critics call it “great news.” (Homeowners teetering on the brink of month six of missed HOA payments must be pretty psyched up as well.) http://bit.ly/2DlYrJg
Distress hits pre-crisis levels.Builder’s John McManus on what “improving credit conditions and credit scores mean for the entry-level market in 2018.” http://bit.ly/2DLO52k
SCHOOL’S OUT –102 years of Prescott history comes tumbling down.“While the list of ‘wins’ in Prescott’s historic preservation is extensive… this week’s demolition of the old Miller Valley Elementary School counts among the ‘losses’ ” The Daily Courier reports that “city” and “school officials” were “surprised by the timing” of the teardown. But a PHOTO in this report has some here at Dealmaker HQ strongly suggesting that the most “surprised” of all would have to be any job-seekers planning to call the phone number on the Miller Valley school marquee, which also displays: ”NOW HIRING BUS DRIVERS” — as an excavator in the background rips the school to shreds. http://bit.ly/2DmCh9D
Caliber plans 125-room hotel at Tucson Convention Center. The “currently unbranded hotel” is set to “break ground in late 2018.” Tap to AZRE for details on the “estimated $20 million project,” plus find out what other prominent Arizona projects are “currently participating in” Caliber’s Diversified Opportunity Fund. –> http://bit.ly/2Dje8Nv
Queen Creek’s bond rating affirmed as the town prepares to fund transportation improvements. Queen Creek CFO Scott McCarty: “Having the town’s [AA] credit rating and outlook affirmed by both [Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, puts] the town… in an excellent position to fund necessary improvements without issuing any new taxes… Thanks to the foresight of our town council, the town has funds allocated to repay the debt in our budget.” Queen Creek Independent. http://bit.ly/2rg9Q80
New San Tan Valley PAC aims to change incorporation map. “A new political action committee, San Tan Valley Citizens for Responsible Growth, has formed to take on the incorporation movement and the PAC leading it, Vote San Tan Valley. While the group is not explicitly anti-incorporation, it is against incorporating with the current map and is urging people to not sign the petition.” See why in San Tan Valley Sentinel. http://bit.ly/2rhE0rj
Vote San Tan Valley’s finance report shows large in-kind donations. “The fourth-quarter campaign finance report for the Vote San Tan Valley political action committee shows more spending than previous reports and the significant in-kind donations of goods and services that have allowed the political action committee to run.” San Tan Valley Sentinel. http://bit.ly/2DkDtqd
Casa Grande Council gives homeowner a pass on addition. “In late 2016, the city learned that [Victor] D’Souza had built an addition on his home with no approval from the planning department or any building permits.” On Tuesday, the Casa Grande City Council gave D’Souza “a pass by changing his zoning.” But the “saga” of D’Souza’s “residential addition” isn’t over yet. Find out why and get up to speed on a few other “planning items,” in Casa Grande Dispatch. http://bit.ly/2BcMbVs
Trailhead popular with East Valley hikers to reopen with new amenities.“South Mountain Regional Park’s popular Pima Canyon Trailhead… near Ahwatukee and the Arizona Grand Resort, has been closed since August for extensive renovations…” So when exactly can hikers, mountain bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts return to take advantage of the new ramadas, the reconfigured parking lot, new flush toilets, and other “major improvements”? The answer and more in East Valley Tribune. http://bit.ly/2Dh39nw
Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day –http://bit.ly/2DPE3gR
