The Dealmaker: 5/31/2018

Scottsdale tourism industry seeks new fuel to spark summer ignition. “A growing chorus of event promoters, tourism chieftains and public relations aficionados [including PR maestro Jason Rose] are fueling [a] new idea: embrace the summer and the heat to entice more human beings to discover all things hot in the Sonoran Desert.” And Scottsdale Tourism Director Karen Churchard calls the upcoming Fahrenheit Festival at WestWorld “a big step in the right direction.”— Scottsdale Independent (And a reminder to all our heatseekingDealmakers: Grab two FREE TICKETS to the June 16 Scottsdale Fahrenheit Festival and celebrate just how hot it’s getting in the Valley! Just click through and use the promo code “ROSELAW.”)—> http://bit.ly/2J0q4KM

Paradise Valley Ritz-Carlton project continues municipal approvals. Town Council gave the final plat go-head for “resort-branded single family homes,” with “little comments or questions,” one of which, though, concerned “views of the mountains.” Paradise Valley Independent. http://bit.ly/2smQfAR  

North Scottsdale community wins awards for design, planning excellence. With its “paradigm shift in new home design,” Camelot Homes “has received Gold Nugget honors in PCBC’s annual competition for its White Horse community…” Details on the win at the event touted as “‘the Academy Awards’ of the building industry,” in Scottsdale Independent. http://bit.ly/2LOM1dp

Homebuyer migration trends in Q1 2018. Get out of Denver and Seattle and head to… Phoenix?” That’s the big takeaway from Redfin’s latest Migration Report, which finds that the Valley “had the largest net gain looking to move to the area from elsewhere.” Report highlights in DSNews. http://bit.ly/2kBwe5g

Underwater homeowners fall below 10%. “Still, despite the progress made as the negative equity rate falls, 4.4 million homeowners remain underwater, and about 713,000 of them owe at least twice as much as their homes’ value.” How do Phoenix homeowners fare in Zillow®’s 2017 Q4 Negative Equity Report? Find out in Builder. http://bit.ly/2H8ypGz

Aldi watch: Grocery stores planned for metro Phoenix. While the discount grocery chain is “working with cities and commercial developers to secure permitting for the new stores,” it has yet to disclose specifics about its future locations; however, The Arizona Republic has — pinpointing 9 precise locations around the Valley for planned Aldi stores. http://bit.ly/2JhIUMR

Retail resurrection? Macerich leasing veep Kim Choukalas: “For so long, everybody said the internet was going to be the demise of brick-and-mortar stores… What we have found is the exact opposite… [online stores] absolutely need a storefront presence.” PHOENIX magazine takes a look at “clicks to bricks” and the “pendulum swing back to brick-and-mortar.” http://bit.ly/2J1Rufc

Phoenix experiences third-highest construction job gains. Phoenix Business Journal hammers out hard-hat data from Associated General Contractors of America which shows the “Phoenix metro area gained 11,000 construction jobs between April 2017 and April 2018, despite difficulty within the industry finding qualified workers…” http://bit.ly/2kF9OQA

Economic Development conference recognizes Pinal County, Millman for workplace excellence. Congratulations! to Pinal County which “won for Medium Organization of the Year,” and to a “stunned” Joel Millman who took home “Workforce Practitioner of the Year.” Both were honored with “Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence Awards at the biannual conference of the Arizona Association for Economic Development.” Apache Junction Independent. http://bit.ly/2IZbXp0

How the Colorado River’s future could hinge on a little-known California election. “Three of the five seats on the [Imperial Irrigation District’s] board are up for grabs… The outcome could [have] ripple effects across the Southwest, from big cities like Los Angeles and Phoenix to agricultural areas like the eastern Coachella Valley.” The Desert Sun. http://bit.ly/2kFQBP4

Surprise leaders discuss special tax districts. “The Surprise City Council and [P&Z] Commission met to discuss ramifications of state law passed last year, which changes rules for establishing and managing a Community Facilities District…” A recap of the recent joint session on the new rules in YourValley. http://bit.ly/2Jjet8Z

Sedona City Council to hear hotel proposal. “When the Courtyard by Marriott [at SR 89A & Upper Red Rock Loop] was approved nearly four years ago, it was understood that the lot next to it may someday become a second hotel under the same name brand. That day has come.” Red Rock News. http://bit.ly/2JjZP1i

Council adopts strategic plan for Wickenburg. “A safe, family-friendly community with a vibrant business climate, lively downtown and plentiful recreation – these are cornerstones in the Town of Wickenburg’s Strategic Plan, which was recently adopted by town council.” For an overview of the plan plus link to the whole thing, tap Wickenburg Sun. http://bit.ly/2L8KsG6

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