The Independent interview: Scottsdale Councilman Guy Phillips. “Scottsdale Independent offers a questions-and-answer segment with Councilman Guy Phillips to better understand his perspective on how local politics is shifting.” Councilman Phillips talks bond measures, “feel good projects,” the public’s distrust of government, and more. http://bit.ly/2GSJuzg
Developer proposes downtown Phoenix arts, entertainment district with 25-story condos. • The district would tie into the 25-story condo high rise that Hines is planning at the Colliers Center • Plans call for 375 condos as well as office, retail and a better walking experience from Van Buren to Talking Stick Resort Arena • More on the project, including the hush-hush nature of the proposal, at AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2GSIgEj
Luxury residences proposed for downtown Carefree near the Sundial.Carefree Town Council has “approved a new proposed luxury condominium development” from Azil Development. The 50-unit “Residences at Sundial Circle” would be “located along Easy Street on the vacant land between the Sundial and the Post Office building.” Rendering, plus a rundown of pricing and features in The Foothills Focus. http://bit.ly/2uFrp2O
Spring buyers want this type of house. Two bedrooms — or three? A garage or updated kitchen? Privacy? Personal expression? Check out what buyers are looking for in houses this year, based on a “new realtor.com® survey of more than 1,000 home shoppers” — at REALTORMag. http://bit.ly/2H5fkqd
NAHB releases new home building employment estimates by state. “Arizona continues to employ a relatively high share of local workers” despite “significant job losses” during “the downturn.” That is just one of the findings from a “new NAHB study” that “presents the most recent and comprehensive estimates of home building employment, including self-employed workers, by state.” Access the study at Eye On Housing. http://bit.ly/2Gz9FYF
‘Public enemy No. 1’ was once a thriving shopping center. Fiesta Village was “the first of many typical 1970s and ’80s-era shopping centers that popped up around” Southern and Alma School “in order to capitalize on the proximity to Fiesta Mall.” East Valley Tribune traces the center’s rise, and its decades-long downhill slide into what “is now little more than a mass of deteriorating buildings and weed-wracked parking lots” — what officials have dubbed ‘public enemy No. 1” and “the worst of the worst.” http://bit.ly/2GR6Rcp
Pollack: Calm before the economic boom? “After the last few weeks, a dullweek of data is a good thing,” says The Monday Morning Quarterback. Still, there was enough data for MMQ to roll out and hit us with a few ‘Snapshots,’ including… U.S.: Income & Consumption, Consumer Confidence & Sentiment, Pending Home Sales – February, Home Price Index. AZ: Sky Harbor – Enplanements & Deplanements, Home Price Index. http://bit.ly/2q3HOIW
Renovations at Scottsdale Stadium enter final design stage. “City Council recently approved $5 million” — “and requests for proposals are being issued” — “for the design and build process to begin… The process will review areas within the master plan, which calls for improved seating and shade at the stadium, additional viewing areas, expansions to the clubhouse, player training areas and special event spaces.” Scottsdale Independent. http://bit.ly/2GR7a73
Queen Creek looks to expand rec opportunities through public-private partnerships. Town officials recently “provided a status update” on the Parks, Trails and Outdoor Master Plan, which “proposes five parks in the future.” Queen Creek Independent reports that “part of the discussion” touched on public and private partnerships as well as “impact fees to help fund future parks such as through construction fees…” http://bit.ly/2q2xmlA
Salvation Army breaks ground on activity center. “The Salvation Army Metro Phoenix broke ground on the Mike Michaels Activity Center, named in honor of the late Mike Michaels, Valley resident and longtime supporter of The Salvation Army… The activity center is being built on the grounds of The Salvation Army’s Kaiser Emergency Family Shelter in Phoenix.” Rendering and more at AZRE. http://bit.ly/2HbHTTb
Maricopa falls to Chandler in Battle of the Burbs finals. “For the first time in the Battle of the Burbs history, Maricopa has fallen short of the top title.The contest, hosted by Mix 96.9, faces cities against each other in a March Madness-style event. Residents of that city vote online for the community they think is the best ‘burb.’ ” And this year, the “rivalry got a little more intense” than usual. The story in Maricopa Monitor. http://bit.ly/2q1Gk2r
Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2GtxRzj
The Third Annual Stella Artois Derby Dayclub returns May 5th – http://bit.ly/2GCrFEq
Technology behind cryptocurrency craze could disrupt medicine, housing and ID security. But what exactly is blockchain, the tech behind cryptocurrency? “Compare it with explaining in numbing detail how an automobile engine starts,” says Cronkite News, adding that it could lead to “cheaper, more efficient ways to ship packages, buy homes, access medical records and even build a secure vault of personal information.” http://bit.ly/2EgzWch
Legislative arm says governor’s water plan is unconstitutional. Gov. Doug Ducey is pushing for a statewide forbearance program, whose aim is to permit Arizona to conserve more water in Lake Mead. Standing in the path of that water program: The Arizona Legislative Council, which has spelled out why legislators “almost certainly” cannot authorize a state agency to “forbear” the use of water from the Colorado River. An Arizona Capitol Times report; the capsule summary in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2JhdinQ
Does an aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard increase utility rates? What will be the costs for Arizonans in “moving away from coal and other fossil fuels and replacing those sources with renewable ones.” It’s a question that sustainability scientist Dr. Wesley Herche says that he has “studied carefully.” The answers in Medium.—> http://bit.ly/2GSP7gS
Questions from Arizona justices suggest skepticism over DACA tuition breaks. A claim that ‘dreamers’ are entitled to the same lower tuition as other Arizona residents drew a skeptical response Monday by several justices of the state Supreme Court.”–Capitol Media Services Howard Fischer report. http://bit.ly/2Isiunz
As teachers rally for higher pay, Arizona’s tax code exempts $13.5B from collection. “The odds are stacked against teachers hoping to persuade the Republican-led Legislature and [Gov] Ducey to increase education funding by as much as $750 million.” However, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting points out that “if lawmakers and Ducey were inclined to find money for teachers, one place they could go looking is” in the ”more than $13.5 billion in taxes” went “uncollected in fiscal year 2017.” http://bit.ly/2q2F3aJ
