The Dealmaker: 01/10/2019

Renovation of Talking Stick Resort Arena ‘is fiscally responsible,’ public hearing is told. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents the Phoenix Suns.) The South Phoenix meeting, with approximately 70 people in attendance, followed the trend of increasing community support and dwindling resistance — out of 21 speakers, just three (the same three that have been at every meeting by the way) expressed opposition. RLGR has the recap. http://bit.ly/2Rp0Vhf

New poll just released by Phoenix Chamber – Phoenix residents want tourists to pay for Talking Stick Resort Arena renovations. Once the public had complete information on the funding mechanism [i.e., tourism tax] along with the benefits to downtown Phoenix, our city’s economy, and the community, the poll showed a nearly 2-to-1 ratio of support for Talking Stick Resort Arena renovations. Much more on the new survey in RLGR. http://bit.ly/2ADACta

More coverage of 4th public meeting over TSR Arena renovations.  FOX 10’s Matt Rodewald reports that the more people hear about where renovation funds will come from, “the more they’re at ease with it.” WATCH: http://bit.ly/2D1349M

11th-hour demands plus federal shutdown bog down Arizona drought negotiations. But here’s the “good news”: “The negotiators of Arizona’s Drought Contingency Plan have crafted the most detailed, concrete proposal to date laying out how Arizona will deal with expected cutbacks to its supply of Colorado River.” Phoenix New Times. http://bit.ly/2FnqZ4V

Taylor Morrison, Shea Trilogy repeat among “most trusted” housing brands. What does the late Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleher have to do with Taylor Morrison, Shea Trilogy, William Lyon Homes, Toll Brothers, Woodside Homes and Brookfield Homes being among Lifestory Research’s “most trusted brands in consumers’ lives”? Builder’s John McManus draws the “DNA” connection. http://bit.ly/2SN9vTw

Lennar said it can’t give a forecast because the market is so ‘uncertain.’Lennar “reported strong fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, but the company could only scratch its head when it comes to the future,” reports CNBC. Chairman Stuart Miller: “[W]e are deferring guidance for fiscal year 2019 until the markets further define themselves.” http://bit.ly/2FklKnp

Grand Canyon University debuts new Colangelo College of Business. “The 150,000-square-foot Colangelo building, which was unveiled on Wednesday, is part of $100 million in capital expenditures this year.” This PBJ report shows off the “business school’s new digs” with a 10-image SLIDESHOW. (Subscriber Content). http://bit.ly/2SIAX4J 

Rio Reimagined. In a competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute Arizona and Arizona Forward, “[a]rchitects, urban planners, developers and community leaders were invited to submit visionary proposals that would help restore [Rio Salado River’s] natural ecosystem and spur economic vitality.” Check out architect Michael Krause’s renderings in this Fountain Hills Times’ report, and you’ll see immediately why his was the vision that took top honors. http://bit.ly/2Ca08Gi

Keep True Life on the hook, Lakes lawyer asks court. “The answer to True Life’s appeal brief marks the latest chapter in the long legal fight by two Ahwatukee Lakes homeowners to change what a judge called the ‘moonscape’ that the defunct golf course has become since it was shut down in 2013.” AFN. http://bit.ly/2H5N9v4

Paradise Valley leadership establishes 2019 goals to be pursued. Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner and councilmembers Paul Dembow, Scott Moore, Julie Pace andMark Stanton chat with PV Independent about their priorities for next year. Topics include town growth, water rates, and the search for a town manager. http://bit.ly/2VIKDhF 

After a long ‘runway,’ Hartke eager to fly. “After months of waiting — and years in the making — [Kevin Hartke] takes over for longtime mayor Jay Tibshraeny at this week’s City Council meeting. He takes the reigns of a city experiencing its greatest prosperity ever, and he knows replacing arguably the most successful mayors in Chandler history won’t be easy.” EV Tribune. http://bit.ly/2FkDSxy

Arizona Supreme Court agrees to review legality of medical-marijuana extracts; ‘hopeful’ sign, says Laura Bianchi, Rose Law Group partner and director of Cannabis Department. “The medical-marijuana community has been on edge over the issue since June, when the state court of appeals ruled 2-1 that THC-bearing resin from marijuana plants, and the products that contain it, were not protected by the 2010 Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.” New Times • Laura Bianchitells RLGR: “We are very pleased the Arizona Supreme Court granted the Petition to Review the Jones case and we remain hopeful they will overturn the lower court’s opinion and protect our patients.” http://bit.ly/2ACVXCY 

Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2RkAnh4 

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