The Dealmaker: 6/6/2017

Homes near future Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley go on sale starting in the $2 millions. “The 66 luxury homes in Shea Homes’ Azure community will range from 3,800 to 6,700 square-feet.” The homes, which “hit the market June 10,” are designed for downsizers who are seeking to ‘retain the luxuries of a new home” and “will feature ranch-style layouts and a modern style that blends the indoors and outdoors.” AZCentral has further details including what it calls the “3 most amazing Azure amenities.” (You know, as opposed to homes at the other end of the spectrum, with features so crummy that they might be branded “The Amenityville Horrors.”) http://bit.ly/2qYpd4s

Mattamy project in Surprise Civic Center moves to council. “The first housing development planned for the… area has been modified and put into context and is now waiting on the vote of the City Council during its 6:30 p.m. meeting [TONIGHT!].” View a rendering and find out what went into “putting together the puzzle of the largely undeveloped city center” and how it helped get the Mattamy project to this point — at YourWestValley. http://bit.ly/2qYqEQn

Element Hotel planned for SkySong. “Plaza Companies has submitted site and landscape plans to the City of Scottsdale for a new five-story, 100KSF Element Hotel near Scottsdale and McDowell,” or, to use the SkySong slogan, near “the Intersection of Innovation, Technology and Imagination.” Get further details and view a rendering at AZBEX. http://bit.ly/2r2qsuv

Chamber: APEX will benefit Maricopa. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents APEX Motor Sports.) In its editorial at InMaricopa, The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce lays out why it “enthusiastically supports the APEX Motor Club,“ and it encourage[s] all Maricopans to do the same” in the face of a campaign mounted against APEX by a group of outsiders (see below). http://bit.ly/2sPn2N3

Anti-APEX petitions filed at City Hall. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents APEX Motor Sports.) “The referendum [filing] is an attempt to force the city’s approval [of APEX Motor Club] to a public vote…. But Jason Plotke [president of Private Motor Sports,which is developing APEX] made no bones about who he thinks is behind the opposition…” For his remarks along with a formal statement from APEX, motor on over to InMaricopa. http://bit.ly/2qU3RAY

Pollack: Arizona economy is like Old Man River. That is, in Arizona, as in the nation as a whole, “the expansion just keeps rolling along.” The Monday Morning Quarterback looks at the economic “dynamics… at play” and dives into data for these “Snapshots”… U.S.: Employment & Unemployment Rate, Income & Consumption, Savings, Consumer Confidence, Auto Sales, Manufacturing, Construction Spending, HPI. AZ: Sky Harbor – Enplanements & Deplanements, Home Prices. http://bit.ly/2s0Qsv2

Weekly mortgage applications fall 3.4% as homebuyers find little for sale. “The seasonally adjusted index from [MBA] now stands 14 percent lower than one year ago… Applications to refinance dropped 6 percent for the week and are 31 percent lower than the same week one year ago…” But could there be an upward tick on the horizon for refis? CNBC. http://bit.ly/2rxMb0V

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

State legislator backs Avra Valley residents opposing I-11. In opposition to the proposed Interstate 11, Arizona state Rep. Mark Finchem (R – L.D. 11) cites “sensitive desert habitats” and “virgin land,” and calls the proposed Interstate 11 “a roadway of questionable value.” So other than hanging “Do Not Disturb” signs on rocks, tumbleweed, and cacti all along the proposed I-11 corridor (figuratively speaking), what does Rep. Finchem propose instead to “increase [traffic] capacity”? —> http://bit.ly/2r2v0ks

Lucid seen as start of more cross-border trade business. Gov. Doug Ducey highlights Lucid’ plan for a $700 million electric vehicle plant in Casa Grande as a “prime example of how cross-border trade can benefit both [the U.S. and Mexico].” In Howard Fischer’s report at PinalCentral, Gov. Ducey and his Sonoran “counterpart” Claudia Pavlovich discuss what they are trying to do together to “maintain the flow of goods, services and people” given President Trump’s “actions and rhetoric” regarding NAFTA. http://bit.ly/2qYvQDx

EVEREADY HOUSES? – Battery powered homes may be future of homebuilding. An ‘electric grid issue’ has inspired Mandalay Homes to “create homes unlike any already on the market.” Dave Everson, owner of Mandalay: “It’s like an all things considered… Energy, air quality, water conservation… everything we can think of thrown into it.” The Daily Courier looks at Everson’s “newest” innovation: A home that is “fitted with a battery.” http://bit.ly/2sPzI6e

Swing and a miss: Maricopa County drops search to fill lucrative Chase Field contract. Following up on an item mentioned in yesterday’s Dealmaker… “The county recently put out a request for proposals seeking bids on a new 10-year [events management] contract… It drew two bidders.” But as AZCentral reports, the county “abruptly canceled its search for a new Chase Field events manager Monday, heightening uncertainty surrounding its conflict with the Arizona Diamondbacks.” http://bit.ly/2qYHTkh

Arizona voters will soon ‘See the Money’ with launch of political Website. Arizona Secretary of State Michelle Reagan touts the Website See the Money as “the first of its kind in the country.” And who will visit this site which is set to launch this fall”? According to Secretary Reagan, “[Anyone] interested in looking up to see lobbyists and the money that they spend in campaigns… And then also the campaigns that are cashing those checks.” More on See the Money in All About Arizona News. http://bit.ly/2rRo4um