Smith touts Pinal’s top growth numbers in State of the County. “The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce hosted its first State of the County address Thursday evening. Former city Mayor and current Pinal County Supervisor Anthony Smith led the conversation… [touting] Pinal’s progress since the economic downturn at the beginning of the last decade.” Coverage at inMaricopa. http://bit.ly/2KL06XV
Pinal organizers say first State of the County was a success. Casa Grande Dispatch with more on Pinal’s very first State of County address. http://bit.ly/2GDxf5u
Construction labor shortage 30 years in the making, and it’s the industry’s fault, experts say. That was the overall takeaway from Valley Partnership’s Friday Morning Breakfast, featuring panelists Mike Greenawalt, Vice President of Rosendin Electric; Jackie Elliott, President of Arizona Central College; Dan Haag, Senior Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer of Sundt Construction; with Rose Law Group Founder and President Jordan Rosemoderating. Didn’t have a chance to attend? Callan Smith has the next best thing: FULL COVERAGE in Rose Law Group Reporter. —> http://bit.ly/2IEC70k
Caliber continues construction with The Roosevelt. “The project, which is near Mill Avenue at 233 S. Roosevelt St., is expected to have the first phase completed this December.” View a rendering and get model info along with amenity/sustainability details for the “32-unit townhome community,” at AZRE. http://bit.ly/2x2D7ps
Real estate investment: Owning a rental home is almost as lucrative as buying stock. AZCentral real estate reporter Catherine Reagor looks into this and other findings from Total Returns to Single Family Rentals, a recently updated National Bureau of Economic Research study which “provide[s] the first systematic analysis of total returns to Single Family Rentals over a long time period, in a broad and granular cross section.” http://bit.ly/2LiYG8n
Greater Phoenix real estate investment market slower in 2018. “Sales velocity in most sectors slowed while property fundamentals and investor demand remained very healthy,” says Colliers in its 2018 Q1 Greater Phoenix Investment Report. “The greatest uncertainty in the market involves how interest rates will impact activity.” Read highlights and access the full Colliers’ report in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2IyHWMy
Short-term costs for long term savings. Director of Rose Law Group renewable energy department, Court Rich, talks about whether California’s new solar requirement for new homes could work in Arizona — in the Capitol Times “Yellow Sheet” notices. http://bit.ly/2KL3bHt
Alternative solar systems for houses of the future. “Following California’s new mandate requiring solar-powered systems for residential construction,” architect and materials researcher “Blaine Brownell highlights technologies likely to get a bump” — in Builder. http://bit.ly/2IWDZRa
Phoenix launches new innovation district — PHX Core.: “PHX Core ties together our economic development efforts downtown into a new and exciting brand that also provides strategic direction to drive growth,” says Phoenix Councilwoman Kate Gallego. Details about PHX Core — an area which “overlaps parts of both downtown and the Warehouse District” — along with findings from a report on the innovation district’s “strategic direction” — at AZ Business Magazine. http://bit.ly/2IZJ4rZ
Slack confirms Denver office, but will it be its ‘HQ2?‘ The best answer to that question as reported by Phoenix Business Journal is “it’s unclear.” However, PBJalso reports that Slack is “considering Phoenix, Austin and Portland for its second headquarters…” http://bit.ly/2kbIFEI
East Valley cities deep into annual budget tussle. A “downturn” in Mesa? “Slow growth” in Chandler. Tempe is “stable”? “Gilbert looks for money.” A report by Debbie Downer Daily? No, from East Valley Tribune. http://bit.ly/2rWTQ8O
Are officials erasing history or sparking rebirth in Old Town Peoria? “Peoria talked up preservation as it identified historic properties in Old Town 20 years ago, but in recent years the city pushed to tear them down.” By Laura Gomez in The Arizona Republic. http://bit.ly/2s2xtOe
SLIPPERY SLOPES – Paradise Valley remains in pursuit of a more defined Hillside safety code. “The conversation… set out to aid in the protection of the hillside environment and help provide for the safety and welfare of the town… However, not far into Town Manager Kevin Burke’s slide show… members of town council began asking various questions on items in the plan, procedures andobjectives.” Paradise Valley Independent. http://bit.ly/2LiC6fW
Hitching Post CUP approved by Apache Junction. “City Council held a public hearing of an appeal by [Rose Law Group land use and litigation attorney] Evan Bolick, who represents neighbors of the Hitching Post, James and Bambi Johnson, Mark and Kindra Theisman, Nick and Helen Funk, Rich and Kathy Beavers, and Patrick and Diana La Clair. The amended resolution passed by a vote of 7-0.” AJNews. http://bit.ly/2KIC0xj
A Growing Horizon: Cities, counties market themselves. Casa Grande has a “new promotional publication,” the “40-page glossy magazine dubbed ‘A Growing Horizon.’ ” Eloy and Pinal County “also commissioned an economic development magazine.” Casa Grande Dispatch looks at how “local governments are spending lots of money on their carefully crafted public images.” http://bit.ly/2KIX8Dv
New promotional video showcases Pinal County attractions. “The video… was created to highlight the county’s ‘authenticity’ and to showcase it as a place of opportunity with a relaxed lifestyle that also lends itself to outdoor adventure.” Supervisor Anthony Smith: “My first reaction… was ‘I wanna live there’… And I do, so lucky me.” WATCH the video (running time just a tad over two minutes) at PinalCentral. http://bit.ly/2s1ixQI
Scottsdale, Paradise Valley prime spots for celebrity homes. AZCentral real estate reporter Catherine Reagor has the rundown of metro Phoenix homes owned by famous residents — from rock stars to comedians to “a famous porn star or two.” http://bit.ly/2wZdaXL
Queen Creek residents overwhelmingly approve General Plan update. Development Services Director Chris Anaradian says the updated plan — approved by 84 percent of voters — “includes more specific requirements for the land use categories, with the continued goal of conserving our agricultural, rural and equestrian areas while providing guidance for new development.” Queen Creek Independent. http://bit.ly/2IXFwGw
Public works market is strong, but shifting. AZBEX’s Roland Murphy recaps the recent “American Public Works Association Arizona Chapter luncheon” where those gathered “got a fast-paced and furiously detailed state of the public construction market overview and its impending changes from AZBEX Founder and Publisher Rebekah Morris.” http://bit.ly/2IY6Y7b
Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2IR3Qdt
