The Dealmaker: 6/13/2017

Ventana Lakes could get nearly 70 new homes. (Rose Law Group represents K. Hovnanian Homes.) “The Peoria Planning Commission recommended a proposal… to rezone… two parcels…. at 107th Avenue and Beardsley… from commercial to a residential [PAD].” YourWestValley has further details, including some history on these two long-vacant lots, along with a map showing what the “housing development [would] add to the Ventana Lakes master plan.” http://bit.ly/2tirtQt

Wild Horse Pass Development Authority seeks developers for mixed-use restaurant and entertainment district. “The development site [adjacent to the Wild Horse Pass Casino] is more than 1 million square feet and will launch in phases. The first would comprise a conceptualized indoor-outdoor concert and entertainment venue, restaurants with office space above, boutique retail stores and a hotel… Hunden Strategic Partners recommended the layout and components [but] developers are encouraged to put forth ideas.” For the “Request for Qualifications” deadline, details on where to submit ideas, plus much more on the project, gallop on over to Callan Smith’s report in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2sYC4kc

More for-rent single family homes are being built. “Arizona-based NexMetro Communities is opening two new developments in Gilbert and Queen Creek.” For a look at these and other such projects in the NexMetro pipeline, plus some of the factors that are driving the “for-rent single family” trend, tap to PBJ. http://bit.ly/2sxH2Hh

Axiometrics: Phoenix rents fall slightly in May from record highs. “Average effective rent for Phoenix apartments was $979 per unit per month in May, $2 less than April’s $981 but $40 higher than May 2016’s figure.” AZRE has more on “Phoenix’s current rent growth rate” and some info on what “may limit the ability for strong rent increases later in the year.” http://bit.ly/2sYW1ro

Light rail expansion to Gilbert Road finds funding. “[R]evenues earmarked for widening projects at five northeast Mesa intersections will be repurposed to pay for the city’s… share of the $186 million project.” Transit Services Director Jodi Sorrell on the expansion: “The further east we go, the more receptive people are to it… There’s a lot of people who live there who think it will transform the corridor.” East Valley Tribune. http://bit.ly/2skqzWw

12M new households, 1M fewer homeowners. “Housing economists and other experts discussed the primary causes behind the falling homeownership rates — and potential solutions — at the [NAR] Sustainable Homeownership Conference…” REALTORMag has coverage, including “key findings from the white paper, ‘Hurdles to Homeownership: Understanding the Barriers,’” which were kicked around at the event. http://bit.ly/2rnxkYr

Pollack: A successful economy must walk the middle ground. What is the Monday Morning Quarterback referring to? Credit. Without it, the economy suffers; too much and it “risks becoming overleveraged.” So is the country walking that “middle ground”? MMQ supplies the answer and also digs into the data for these “Snapshots”… U.S.: Labor Productivity & Costs, Manufacturing, Mortgage Rates, Home Equity. AZ: The Cromford Report – Active Listings/ Resale Activity/Days on Market, Median Sales Prices – New Home vs. Resale Home. http://bit.ly/2skDl7k

See who is boosting their cybersecurity, Silicon Valley and venture capital ranks. Check out this piece featuring Rose Law Group attorney Lauren Reynolds who earns some well-deserved recognition from Phoenix Business Journal for her work on cybersecurity issues. In her own words: “I know this is a growing field and the more knowledge we can pass onto the consumer the better we can protect ourselves and our clients.” http://bit.ly/2rsfC0V

Sources: Andrew Barroway buys out Coyotes minority owners. “Barroway has closed on his purchase of the team’s minority owners, NHL sources confirmed Monday. And a search for a new CEO to lead the team and help with the organization’s search for a new arena has already begun.” From a statement issued by the Coyotes: “We believe this will better position the Club to achieve a long-term solution in the Valley.” More on the Barroway buyout in AZCentral Sports. http://bit.ly/2sxdhXc

The mall of the future will have no stores. “As retailers close bricks-and-mortar stores at an accelerating pace, shopping-center landlords… are facing a vexing question: What to do with all this empty space?” Churches? For-profit schools? Mixed-use real estate? Industrial parks? “Their solutions are varied but all have a common element: reducing, or even eliminating, retail from the equation.” The Wall Street Journal. http://bit.ly/2rrPraE

CIRCUIT BREAKER – 9th Circuit ruling allows solar company to sue SRP. “[The court] rejected arguments by attorneys for Salt River Project that SolarCity cannot challenge its pricing system….While Monday’s ruling is specific to SRP and its claims of immunity from suit, the implications [of breaking SRP’s hold on setting price rates] could be broader.” Capitol Media Services’ Howard Fischer explains in his report at Arizona Capitol Times. http://bit.ly/2skvXcd

Unlike Western counterparts, Arizona rivers flowing less than normal.  “From the San Pedro and Santa Cruz rivers in Southern Arizona to the Salt and Verde rivers north of Phoenix, flows are diminishing as they often do in the June dry season’s peak… But authorities aren’t worried about short-term impacts to drinking water supplies.” Find out why in Arizona Daily Star. http://bit.ly/2sYPnRF

Knee-jerking on opioids? In his opinion piece for Rose Law Group Reporter, Senior Reporter/Writer Phil Riske doesn’t “doubt we have an opioid abuse problem” in this country; he submits, however, that we should “place it in perspective with other health problems” and “deal with it in ways that respect individual rights.” http://bit.ly/2sYhy3d