The Dealmaker is a daily note of the day’s top real estate stories served just in time for lunch. Bon Appetit! Subscribe here to receive the Dealmaker to your inbox
[OP-ED] Unwarranted referendum for Southbridge II will be a costly, year-long delay for needed redevelopment. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Spring Creek Development.) While “referendums are a legitimate process,” Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane explains why there is no valid justification for such a referendum with regard to the “long-time planned” and municipally approved Southbridge ll project. SI. http://bit.ly/2Qlwer7
[OP-ED] Fifth Avenue referendum will not ‘save’ Old Town Scottsdale. What will happen if the referendum push succeeds and Spring Creek Development is “forced to sell off the parcels they own”? It won’t be a pretty picture for Old Town, says community advocate Sandy Schenkat. SI. http://bit.ly/2Qk7b7q
Phoenix home prices continue to surge. The newly released Case-Shiller index for October has Phoenix with “the largest increase among the cities in the index’s 20-city composite group.” 24/7 Wall St. http://bit.ly/35iyJ1B
Taylor Morrison CEO Sheryl Palmer is businessperson of the year. It was “one of the closest votes in recent years,” but Taylor Morrison CEO and president Sheryl Palmer is the winner of PBJ’s “online readers’ choice poll as Businessperson of the Year for 2019.” http://bit.ly/2ZM0ZIQ
Electric vehicles, water top Pinal stories of 2019. “The advancement of electric vehicle manufacturing was voted the top story of 2019 by editors of PinalCentral.” http://bit.ly/2FgDE8E
New housing blooms in Casa Grande. In CGD, P&D Director Paul Tice and PIO Latonya Jordan-Smith discuss the “banner year for building permits.” Report includes a rundown of 11 subdivisions under construction. http://bit.ly/2FcvJcb
Coolidge’s top stories of 2019. But does news about Nikola, the company that could “change the way we do transportation in the entire world” with its planned “1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility” make the cut as one of the big stories in 2019? As Billie Eilish might answer: “Duh.” CE. http://bit.ly/2MReTUB
Maricopa’s 15 biggest stories of 2019. Stories include: The opening of APEX Motor Club, upgrades to Harrah’s Ak-Chin; a groundbreaking for the city’s first hotel, plus municipal musings over the first-ever Maricopa apartment complex. MM. http://bit.ly/2QHm96y
Mayor recalls Florence’s many accomplishments of 2019. Mayor Tara Walter talks public safety, the strength of the town’s financial position, plus several other accomplishments from the past year. Flo Reminder. http://bit.ly/2u8cAG5
Here are the 10 most-read Business Journal stories of 2019. Get a rundown of “the most-read online Phoenix Business Journal stories” from the past year. http://bit.ly/39w7lAk
AzBigMedia: The 19 most popular stories of 2019. News about “things to do, places to eat and commercial real estate” were favorite topics among AzBigMedia readers. http://bit.ly/39uH857
Phoenix seeks bid for new affordable apartments, housing for homeless. Phoenix has put out RFP feelers to Community Housing Development Organizations in a new effort that features city backed low interest financing. More info in this RLGR report from Mike Sunnucks. http://bit.ly/35jH0Cm
Short-term rental reforms appear at play at Arizona Legislature. “The joint ad hoc committee comprised of six Arizona representatives and senators hosted the second of three meetings to analyze the impact of short-term rentals on local neighborhoods.” PVI. http://bit.ly/2FcVXeN
Gilbert looks at moving forward with plans to waive fees for older property renovations. What’s behind the proposal? Mike Sunnucks knows in RLGR. http://bit.ly/2ZKTQIt
These cities have the toughest laws for home builders — and the highest property prices. The “local residential regulatory environment now is a complex one, even among the communities that are not relatively highly regulated.” And the Valley of the Sun is no exception. MarketWatch. http://bit.ly/2MJNvIb
ADOT rejects bid for proposed freeway to be closer to downtown Florence. While ADOT “didn’t support the wish of Florence town officials for the proposed ‘north-south freeway’ to veer near downtown,” the “town is still hopeful of benefiting from the freeway.” EE. http://bit.ly/2FcZJoi
Commercial vehicle maker buys Gilbert building, to bring operations to East Valley. Curry Supply Company has bought the building which sits on 3.16 acres near Baseline and McQueen roads. Details in this Sunnucks’ report for RLGR. http://bit.ly/2tkBS3E
Q & A: What is hemp? Omar Abdallah, RLG attorney handling hemp-related issues, weighs in. With a “big hemp processing plant” being planned in Parker, the Pioneer answers questions about hemp, including why it’s good for Arizona. • And in RLGR, Omar Abdallah comments on this “historically misunderstood crop.” http://bit.ly/35nA1sd
Phoenix looks to increase planting of new trees, improve shade canopy. A more significant tree canopy could help reduce temperatures in sprawling Phoenix including during the intense summer heat. RLGR. http://bit.ly/2uaGJoh
Pollack: A look back at 2019.The Monday Morning Quarterback drops back with an economic recap for the year that was, and then looks downfield and hits us with “a quick rundown on what 2020 may hold.” http://bit.ly/2QETHCl
California’s new building codes will make solar panels the next home appliance. “Generating your own electricity is still a luxury for most homeowners… Overnight, though, California’s new building codes have turned [solar panels] into a fixture as standard as a front door.” QZ. http://bit.ly/2ZIqJ8G
On the move: Litigation Attorney Kenny Ho joins Rose Law Group.AzBigMedia has picked up the news about Attorney Kenny Ho joining Rose Law Group. Check out Ho’s skills and experience which now are further bolstering RLG’s “already formidable Litigation Department.” -> http://bit.ly/2QiHO68
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thank you for spending time with Dealmaker this past year! We can’t wait to talk about all the great things that are coming in 2020!
As a supplement to the Dealmaker, we thought you might enjoy these articles!
A daughter’s journey: Years of heartache fade as Aliyah chooses her new family; Rose Law Group Family Law Attorney Audra Petrolle: Adoption a ‘beautiful gift.’ “When she learned a judge had terminated her biological mother’s parental rights, Aliyah asked the Agnews to adopt her. But far-away relatives’ requests would slow the process.” AZCentral • Audra Petrolle: Adoption “can be a complicated legal process and an emotional journey but the life you can provide a helpless child is worth every step.” http://bit.ly/2MQ6y3r
Drone on the range: Farmers take to the skies to save water and money. “Drones, either multirotor or fixed-wing, are used to assess crop conditions and fertilizer needs, predict yield potential, monitor water quality, and detect leaks and pest and disease infestations.” CN. http://bit.ly/2FgJDtS
Lawmaker wants health care providers to disclose morals, beliefs. “The proposal by Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley, D-Tucson, would not force doctors, pharmacists, hospitals to serve patients whose needs violate their own moral or beliefs. But she said it’s only fair that would-be patients are made aware of that ahead of time.” A CMS/Howard Fischer report in ACT. http://bit.ly/2SHAWkq
Epic redistricting battles loom in states poised to gain, lose House seats. “17 states are slated to see changes to the sizes of their delegations.” Is Arizona one of them? Politico (ALSO: “Birth rates drop sharply in state, according to analysis.” An ACT PAYWALL piece.) http://bit.ly/2QEIz8r
