The Dealmaker: 01/28/2019

Mysterious group collecting signatures to attempt to derail Arena renovations (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents the Phoenix Suns.) Tap to Sports Business Journal talking about the money behind the drive staying in the dark. http://bit.ly/2MB0EBR

These key players could decide the fate of the Colorado River drought deal. “Legislature, tribes, farmers, cities and the state’s water managers… If any of the main players pull out, the state’s carefully negotiated compromise could unravel and the plan could fall apart.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2sQP2BL

Lack of Arizona drought plan would mean chaos and uncertainty, water experts say. “The water experts responded to questions from [Arizona Daily Star] last week about the likely consequences of no drought plan, with barely a week to go before the federal deadline strikes the seven river basin states.” http://bit.ly/2CSn9hp

Judge in Tempe squatter case asks: ‘Who the hell owns this property, then?’ Is the rightful owner Steve Sussex, who “claims the property as his birthright?” Or is the land owned by the City of Tempe? “That has been a subject of active court disputes for more than a decade.” The question has popped up once again, in the Arizona Court of Appeals. AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2MIW7h7

Rio Bonita mixed-use coming to Avondale. “[The] new mixed-use development planned for North Avondale [at the ‘NWC of Indian School and El Mirage] is expected to shake things up by adding a multifamily and commercial element to an area comprised of mostly ‘homogenous, traditional single-family residences.’ ” Details in AZBEX. http://bit.ly/2Tj6Il7

Phoenix’s first mall, Park Central in Midtown, finally gets much-needed new look and life. “Park Central was the perfect property to redevelop in central Phoenix, but for many years none of us could figure out how to make it happen.” – Sharon Harper, CEO of Plaza Cos., which has partnered with Holualoa Cos. on the project. AZCentral real estate reporter Catherine Reagor looks at the rebirth of the “midtown mecca.” http://bit.ly/2HwYcNY

FLAGSTAFF: New municipal court could lead to restructured downtown.“The construction of the new municipal courthouse at 101 W. Cherry Ave, and scheduled opening by spring of 2020, leaves the future of the current municipal court land at 15 N Beaver St., and perhaps the whole block, up for debate.” Arizona Daily Sun. http://bit.ly/2Tlvlh6

Gavin Newsom takes wealthy Southern California city to court over its lack of housing. “The state’s housing department found Huntington Beach out of compliance with state law in 2015, and [Gov. Newsom] alleges the city hasn’t since acted to approve enough land for low-income units.” Sac Bee. http://bit.ly/2G7fXBm

[REGIONAL NEWS] Largest public lands bill since 1993 would protect 400,000 acres across Colorado. The Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy Act, or CORE Act, “corrals four previously introduced bills, some that have languished more than a decade.” But as The Colorado Sun notes, it’s an act that “faces an uphill battle toward passage” in the U.S. Senate. http://bit.ly/2ThJVpV 

Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2G6yWfl

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