The Dealmaker: 12/05/2016

Developer announces mixed-use expansion at Scottsdale Fashion Square. “[Macerich] announced plans to renovate the mall’s luxury wing anchored by Neiman Marcus… A new entrance and arrival point, two-story storefronts and exterior-facing retail buildings and restaurants will be added…” For the construction and completion dates, plus Macerich’s plans for the “seven-acre parcel immediately north of the mall,” tap to Phoenix Business Journal. http://bit.ly/2gZt1fK

Zoning map amendment in play for site on Cattletrack Road. “Scottsdale city staff… is proposing the council adopt an ordinance to allow for the amendment to change the [2.1-acre site at 5713 N. Cattletrack Road along the Arizona Canal] from Single-family Residential District to Single-family Residential District, planned Residential District.” Scottsdale Independent has details on the project being proposed for the site along with how “nearby residents” feel about it. http://bit.ly/2gZt9vK

Big vote nears on David and Gladys Wright House at Phoenix City Council. [Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Peter Sperling in preserving the residential historical character of Arcadia.] “Supporters of a project that would open the [Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house] commercially and residents of the surrounding Arcadia neighborhood opposed to that say the stakes of withdrawal are high.” Find out what the owner of the house is seeking and get the timeline of events that have led up to this upcoming council vote, in Brenna Goth’s report at AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2gcgRz5

A sixth candidate will interview for Scottsdale city manager. “Joseph L. Lessard, former assistant city manager of Austin, Texas, will interview for Scottsdale’s city manager position Dec. 7 and 8… He will join two other finalists participating in the latest round of interviews: John Kross, town manager of Queen Creek; and James V. Thompson, former city manager of Casa Grande.” — Scottsdale Independent.  After 18-months without a city manager, hopefully the council will finally fill the vacancy. Keep your fingers Krossed! http://bit.ly/2gZrjuX

THANKS, PROP 206! – Sun City plans assessment, other fee hikes.“Recreation Centers of Sun City officials will consider a significant increase in annual property assessments, and increases in nearly all other fees… RCSC management claims the increases are necessary after Arizona voters approved [Prop. 206] in the November election a measure that will increase the minimum wage.” For the “tremendous effect… the new minimum wage will have… on RCSC operating costs in 2017” — quite predictable, btw — click to YourWestValley. http://bit.ly/2gYKtyN

Outgoing Casa Grande mayor reflects on his 9 years in office [VIDEO].  Mayor Bob Jackson talks achievements (and disappointments) with Casa Grande Dispatch’s Kevin Reagan. The mayor shares thoughts on PhoenixMart, Lucid Motors, Tractor Supply Company, Ehrmann Arizona Dairy, public infrastructure, the community recreation center and more. We wish Mayor Jackson well in his future pursuits! (Note: To watch the interview, click through and scroll to the end of the article.) —> http://bit.ly/2h75MNg

Housing continues to progress, still ‘room for improvement.’“[Freddie Mac’s Multi-Indicator Market Index® value] stands at 86, a 5.6 percent year-over-year increase, but still below its historic benchmark normalized to 100… The purchase applications indicator is up nearly 19 percent from last year, indicating strong housing demand and a market that’s poised to close out the best year in home sales in a decade.” Arizona among the most improving states month-over-month. Read the report in RIS Media. http://bit.ly/2g2NUlA

What Opendoor’s Uber-like funding round means for real estate. “Property-exchange platform Opendoor just bagged what is probably the largest funding round ever for a real estate tech startup, with a reported valuation of at least $1 billion only two years after launch.” Inman’s tech reporter Teke Wiggin looks at “10 ways the startup could change the game  for agents and brokers.” http://bit.ly/2gV0a9y

HEEERE’S BENNY! – Trump taps Carson for HUD. “Trump formally confirmed weeks-long plans to nominate… Ben Carson to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development.” Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi described the pick of Carson in a manner quite befitting her constant look of shock/surprise, calling him “a disconcerting and disturbingly unqualified choice to lead a department as complex and consequential as Housing and Urban Development.” More on the pick and what others are saying about it, in USA TODAY. http://bit.ly/2gcvvWT

Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2guEAs2