BRINGING LIFE TO THE PARTY – 220-unit mixed-use for Mesa trouble spot. “Fiesta Village, surrounded by chain link fencing and generating zero economic activity, has remained the [city’s] problem child.” As far as blight goes, it’s been called the “worst of the worst.” AZBEX reports, however, that this “may be about to change,” as “W.M. Grace Companies and PB Bell attempt to “breathe new life into [the] long-dead site” at Southern and Alma School, with a proposed “gated multifamily development” featuring “restaurant and retail facilities.” http://bit.ly/2HKNXAU
Multi-million dollar home sales soar in metro Phoenix. “The number of homes selling for $3 million or more in the Phoenix area has doubled this year, compared to the same time frame in 2017.” Who’s “spending the big bucks” and why are they buying now? AZCentral real estate reporter Catherine Reagor looks into it. http://bit.ly/2DFzljO
New tax law won’t impact more new home purchases. (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Fulton Homes.) “There was some speculation that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would soften the market…” But in AZ Business Magazine, Fulton Homes CEO Doug Fulton pushes back on that notion, reporting that his company’s communities in Maricopa, Queen Creek and Gilbert won’t be impacted, adding: “And that’s what the vast majority of builders in this state are experiencing as well.” http://bit.ly/2GIjpR9
Carefree P&Z votes against rezoning. The proposal called for “building 14 single-family homes… with houses ranging in size from 1500 – 2500” sq. ft on a “ ‘V’ shaped lot” on the west side of Cave Creek Rd. between El Sendero Dr. and New River Rd.” But “concerns over traffic and loss of property values” apparently convinced Carefree P&Z to put up a roadblock in the path of those development plans. Sonoran News. http://bit.ly/2FLkhHo
To rent or to own? Millennials still see value in owning a home. <— That, according to NerdWallet research which shows that “a majority of millennials would prefer owning to renting.” Curious about the housing market for millennials up in Kingman? In the Daily Miner, local real estate experts weigh in, and reporter Hubble Ray Smith crunches the numbers, revealing the market’s home-buying “sweet spot” — and more. http://bit.ly/2ppX42y
APS open house event yields mixed public response. Increased development in downtown Phoenix has driven up demand for electricity, creating the need for new APS substation in the area. “Attendees of the final informational open house event regarding [this] new… substation… were receptive to the idea as long as the station didn’t interfere with their daily life.” Coverage of the event in Downtown Devil. http://bit.ly/2pr9B6z
Scottsdale continues to put its best economic foot forward. • The city is “alive and well” • The “impact of tourism right now is palpable” • The “municipality isn’t void of infrastructure needs” • Those are just a few of the key takeaways in Scottsdale Independent’ coverage of last week’s two-hour “annual Scottsdale Forward event,” where “city officials, development executives and local nonprofit representatives discussed the city’s growth.” http://bit.ly/2ppr0Mc
IMPACTFUL IMPACT – Queen Creek Town Council reviews new impact fees. “Some of the impact fees levied against new development in the town of Queen Creek are proposed to go down and others to rise…” For a rundown on the impact of the proposed impact fees — current fees vs. draft changes — tap to Queen Creek Independent. http://bit.ly/2pqn0Lv
Prescott Gateway Mall’s new owner works to resurrect dying malls, with mixed results. “The new owner of the Prescott Gateway Mall [Mike Kohan] and his company [Kohan Retail Investment Group, of Great Neck, New York] have a history of buying up troubled malls at bargain-basement prices with plans to turn them around. It all comes with inherent risks. They have had trouble paying some bills on those properties, while experiencing successes too.” The Daily Courier. http://bit.ly/2FVkTX0
Maricopa one of Arizona’s affordable places to live. When it comes to SmartAsset’s affordability index — “property taxes, homeowner’s insurance fees and mortgage payments relative to income” — Maricopa is among the top 10 most affordable places to live in the state. (Holbrook topped the list.) See where Maricopa landed on the list, and find out what other Pinal County city cracked the top 10, in Maricopa Monitor. http://bit.ly/2FPbLHq
Residents given opportunity to design the future Maricopa. “Maricopa residents were invited to city hall to discuss with developers various building opportunities, and also voice what they want the city to look like… While some voiced their hope that the city will soon become a booming hub of economic development, others wanted to keep the small-town feel.” As for what developers plan to do with “all the ideas,” tap to Maricopa Monitor. http://bit.ly/2FMsWJB
Peoria approves new sign code amendment. Two years and numerous meetings with stakeholders, think tanks, and industry representatives (including the National Association Home Builders of Central Arizona and West Maricopa Association of Realtors) have yielded a new sign code ordinance that has gone “from 48 to 22 pages and from 18,138 to 7,593 words.” Peoria Times looks at the updated sign-code requirements for: Selling, leasing or renting a property • Yard sale or special announcement • Centers and tenant or business owner • Tenant or business owner. http://bit.ly/2pqtppV
Chapel of the Holy Cross has a story to tell. “[In 1932, Marguerite Brunswig Staude’s] visions of a cross within the Empire State Building started innocently. But, little may she have known that the vision she was formulating would become an artistic and architectural achievement that would define success in her life — the Chapel of the Holy Cross.” Red Rock News. http://bit.ly/2Izzb14
Cameron’s $5M + deals of the day – http://bit.ly/2GHtwWg
U.S. Supreme Court allows ‘Dreamers’ to drive. “The U.S. Supreme Court this morning rejected the last-ditch plea by Attorney General Mark Brnovich to uphold a 2012 executive order by then-Gov. Jan Brewer to deny licenses to DACA recipients.” Capitol Media Services Howard Fischer has the breaking details in Arizona Capitol Times. http://bit.ly/2FLiodH
From all indications, Arizona’s 8,000 bridges are generally safe. So say “experts, even though the federal government says nearly 400 of them are in poor or ‘structurally deficient’ condition.” Cronkite News. http://bit.ly/2DFqIWq
House resolves to protect children from obscenity, pornography. “Child welfare advocates are praising the Arizona Legislature for its support of Rep. Bob Thorpe’s resolution, HCR 2009, intended to raise awareness of the dangers of access to online and offline obscenity and pornography by minors. Thorpe’s resolution passed the Arizona House of Representatives [by a vote of 50-6.]” ADI. http://bit.ly/2GK6YEv
Bill would force jobless to take any job paying more than unemployment benefits. “Under current law, someone collecting benefits must accept ‘suitable’ work. But the [DES] is required to consider various factors, including the ‘risk involved to the individual’s health, safety and morals.’… Under SB 1398, however, all that would become legally irrelevant…” Capitol Media Services/Howard Fischer in Arizona Daily Sun. http://bit.ly/2HNzzYu
[FEATURE] When doctors meet their match. It’s called Match Day, and it’s “named after the match up between a graduating medical student and the medical program where they will spend their residency. The annual ritual happens at medical schools at the same time all across the country…” And Cronkite News was there when one “fourth-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine,” met her match, and found out where “she will spend the next four years of her residency.” http://bit.ly/2GJ3xO7
Can taxing pain pills alleviate the opioid epidemic? Today, “President Trump will announce new plans for fighting the opioid crisis… Meanwhile, several states are exploring their own new policy: Tax drug companies for the opioids they produce.” Governing. http://bit.ly/2pobf8V
You’re fired! Well, not Betsy DeVos yet. Those dismissed, those still on the hot seat at the White House are featured in this week’s SNL take off on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.” John Goodman plays a memorable Rex Tillerson. BONUS: Chameleon Kate McKinnon again played an uncanny Betsy DeVos on “Saturday Night Live,” admitting with a smile on her vacuous face: “I’m not very good at my job.” WATCH both segments in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2pnKxgB
