The Dealmaker: 8/24/2018

Arizona Corporation Commission pushes for injunction against Johnson Utilities. In a Pinal County Superior Courtroom yesterday, ACC asked “for a permanent injunction against Johnson Utilities, requiring the utility company to provide access to everything necessary for EPCOR to act as Interim Manager.” Here’s the SanTanValley.com recap: http://bit.ly/2PzG6e4

Johnson Utilities lawyers tell judge ‘no’ on interim manager order. Johnson Utilities’ lawyer: “I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around what the injunction is going to look like.” ACC lawyer: “They [Johnson Utilities] have not complied [ergo, an injunction is needed — and soon].” Further coverage of this “often contentious and confrontational hearing” at AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2LiXAIx

ONE Community awards 2018 Unity Agent honor to Sunbelt Holdings CEO John Graham. “As one of the most respected leaders in Arizona and in the real estate industry, Graham has been a dedicated and vocal champion for diversity, inclusion and equality in Arizona.” Because of that, ONE Community will present the Sunbelt Holdings CEO with its Unity Agent honor at the Spotlight on Success Awards in October. More on John Graham, the award, and the ceremony — in AZ Business Magazine. http://bit.ly/2o5P5az

Trilogy by Shea Homes launches Freedom Collection. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Shea Homes.) Trilogy president Jeff McQueen describes Shea’s “newest portfolio of homes” as “Trilogy’s solution to delivering more functional, livable spaces within more efficient floorplans at attractive price points.” The Collection is currently “offered at Trilogy communities in Florida, North Carolina and California with plans to expand.” Tap on to AzBigMediafor details on floorplans and features of The Freedom Collection. http://bit.ly/2Lp8Y5u

Most expensive home sales in Phoenix. Arizona Foothills Magazine top home sales this past week totaled “over $24 million,” UP $5 million from the previous week — or $4,999,874 more than Kevin Spacey’s newest movie made on opening day! (Yep, ‘Billionaire Boys Club’ exceeded expectations by pulling in a WHOPPING $126 in its debut.) Photos in this installment feature walnut herringbone flooring; an “experiential” home, with a thicket of palms completely blocking its view; and, at Windy Walk Estates, a “home with solid construction,” always a good idea for any home, particularly one situated in a community bearing the name “Windy.” http://bit.ly/2o4TUke

New home sales edge down 1.7% in July. “A lack of overall housing inventory is pushing up home prices, which is hurting affordability and causing prospective buyers to delay making a home purchase,” explains NAHB Chair Randy Noel. And sales could have ticked down even further if not for solid performances in the West and Midwest. Tap to NAHBNow for the regional breakdown. http://bit.ly/2BH3FPx

5 time-tested truths for home builders. “Much has changed in the last 50 years since Chuck Shinn got involved in the home building industry, but after working with thousands of builders [and ‘pushing’ them beyond their comfort zones’], he’s observed five essential truths that remain constant.” Professional Builder. http://bit.ly/2wn1MS1

Tariffic headaches. Builder’s John McManus on how “trade disputes, and the uncertainty, volatility, and risk they cause, are dampening forward momentum of the new home market.” http://bit.ly/2BIkDwJ

Scottsdale mall turning department store into shared office space.“The former Barneys New York at Scottsdale Fashion Square will open as co-working space in 2019, an option that Macerich is rolling out at several of its malls nationwide.” Leasing VP Kim Choukalas says that adding Manhattan-based Industrious into the mall mix gives Macerich “a new edge on the change taking place in the retail department.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2BKiGjw

THE LATEST ‘THING’ – Highway attraction east of Tucson — The Thing — gets major upgrade. The Thing is getting even ‘thingy-er.’ Property owner Bowlin Travel Centers, which has “invested more than $3.5 million in upgrades,” is set to “launch a new museum revolving around The Thing’s origin story in a recently constructed 12,000-square-foot facility.”  Arizona Daily Star has details on this aliens vs. dinosaurs tale, along with several pics showing all that’s “new at The Thing.” http://bit.ly/2wm3Fyv 

Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels earns 5G Wireless Champion Award. Mayor Danials is being honored with the award by wireless industry association CITA for “her focus on infrastructure modernization [‘small cells — next-generation 5G’]  that will bring new investment to the Gilbert community.”AZBusiness Magazine. http://bit.ly/2BL1wSI

Former Eloy Mayor Nagy dies; vice mayor reflects on his legacy. Joe Nagy, who “became became mayor in 2012 and later was also elected to City Council in 2014,” has passed away at the age of 87. Vice Mayor Micah Powell, who was “Nagy’s former running mate,” talks about “the time they spent together on City Council,” in PinalCentral. http://bit.ly/2Nk7mMs

Don’t miss anything… follow multiple winner of the Arizona Republic’s tweet of the week contest, and Senior Partner at Rose Law Group and Director of RLG Renewable Energy Department, Court Rich. http://bit.ly/Court_RichTwitter 

As a supplement to the Dealmaker, we thought you might enjoy these articles!

Arizona among top 10 ‘Freedom States,’ but concealed carry gun law taints Cato findings. “Arizona’s low tax rates and regulatory burden helped it do well in a ranking of state freedoms but critics took issue with some measures, including gun and school laws.” (RELATED, also from Cronkite News: “Critics call reported school gun plan ‘absurd,’ misuse of federal funds.”) http://bit.ly/2BJuCln

John McCain will no longer be treated for brain cancer, family says. The announcement was made by Senator McCain’s family earlier today. The statement reads in part: “With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment.” Rose Law Group, Dealmaker and RLGR extend thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain and his family at this difficult time. http://bit.ly/2NfNutF

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