The Dealmaker: 12/01/2016

‘SMOKE’ IS EVERYWHERE! – What the rise of Phoenix’s housing market says about the U.S. economy. “[A] market that housing analysts once thought might not recover for decades demonstrates the strength of the national recovery.”  This Wall Street Journal report on the Phoenix housing market — past, present, and future — once again features Jonathan Smoke, this time on why he thinks “there are few reasons to fear [that there’s] another bubble” on the horizon. http://bit.ly/2fPXgBm

Scottsdale City Council likely to name new city manager next week.Scottsdale Independent’s Terrance Thornton reports on how “[t]he saga that has evolved into a national search for a new Scottsdale city manager could see its final chapter [on] Dec. 8.” http://bit.ly/2fK7SWY

Scottsdale City Council waver over additional WestWorld investment.“The…City Council unanimously voted to continue the discussion of allocating up to $300,000 to update the WestWorld Municipal Use Master Site Plan.” However, Scottsdale Independent reports “several… councilmembers [expressed] concern… [that] the city has other needs that should take priority over investing money into WestWorld.” Further details here: http://bit.ly/2gDGFSR

Electric car company lacks funds to cover full cost of Casa Grande plant.(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents landowners who helped make this project a reality.) At first blush, this Arizona Daily Star headline would appear to be nothing more than an attempt to wet-blanket “[t]he big announcement… that [Lucid Motors] will invest $700 million to build an auto manufacturing plant in Casa Grande.” However, the subhead to this report by Capitol Media Services’ Howard Fischer is a bit less grumpy: “[Arizona Commerce Authority] officials are not concerned that the company does not expect to have all the money before 2022.” Find out why, as far as the proposed plant is concerned, it’s all good —> http://bit.ly/2gcDTmJ

178 million makeover headed for Phoenix International Raceway.(Disclosure: Rose Law Group Represents PIR) “The plans include new and upgraded grandstands, added structures for competitors and sponsors in the infield area, more RV parking and new steel and metal exteriors.” For architectural drawings of the proposed changes along with further details, including some rather refreshing news regarding the ’use’ of taxpayer dollars, click to AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2gZquCW

Health-care giant McKesson breaking ground on 271,000-square-foot facility on reservation. “The San Francisco-based Fortune 500 health-care services and technology firm will move 1,400 employees [next year] from the Scottsdale Galleria to its new facility in the Chaparral Commerce Center [on the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community].” See a  rendering of the building and learn how many more employees the new facility will be able to house vs. the Galleria location — at AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2fPW2G9

Richmond American purchases 52 finished lots within 12 Oaks, Waddell. “Located at the SEC of Peoria and Sarival… The seller was 12 Oaks 51 , LLC — David Cohen and Todd Stevens…. The transaction was brokered by Howard Weinstein, Derek Harris, and Patty Lafferty of Pacific Land Company.” As for sale price, don’t let it remain a mystery — click it!—> http://bit.ly/2gcyfBj

Mesa opens new multi-use fields at Fiesta Sports Park. “[F]our new ball fields for youth baseball and softball… in a quad layout… lit by LED sports lights… with Cubs-branded signage and scoreboard, centralized concession and restroom area…. a multi-use field with bleachers…. a new playground with shade covering and enlarged parking lot.“ Check out the bird’s-eye graphic of the park in Mesa Independent, and see why Vice Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh praises it as “something great… a fantastic new place…; and why Chicago Cubs Spring Training General Manager Justin Piper predicts, “I’m sure we’ll see some rising stars at Fiesta Sports Park, in years to come.” (Or visit the park at 936 S. Extension Road.) http://bit.ly/2fWnFRc

Mesa to keep trying for Arizona State University campus downtown.“Mesa Mayor John Giles said the city is committed to working with Arizona State University to create a downtown campus, but the effort won’t rely on a tax increase.” Click through to read ASU’s “response to an inquiry from The Republic specifically asking whether ASU remains committed to downtown Mesa…” http://bit.ly/2gZr1EX

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