In defense of requiring solar on all new homes. Rose Law Group partner and director of Renewable Energy Department Court Rich is a solar advocate. He’s also a Republican resident of Arizona who finds himself (again) having to defend California’s pro-solar policy against those who argue to the contrary, some of whom are friends. In a piece shining with some well-placed rays of humor, Court lays out his defense in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2Irup5p
HOMERUN! (Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents HOME: The Baseball Experience) As baseball fans, we are, to say the least, very excited! Fleetwood Projects, LLC announced its plan to build a one-of-a-kind immersive, technology-based baseball attraction in the Phoenix area that will be known as “HOME: The Baseball Experience.” They have an All-Star team lead by the innovative visionary sports media executive, Marc Appleman, as CEO and Rick Fizdale, former chairman and CEO of Leo Burnett Worldwide. The group that created the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame is even involved, with Brad Shelton, creative director at BRC Imagination Arts saying, “This is the place every baseball fan has dreamed about – fully immersive, wildly entertaining – and as good as the game itself. It’s going to be a true home for baseball fans, where hopes, dreams and the love of baseball are rekindled with every visit.” We can’t wait! More on this immersive attraction and the development team behind it in Rose Law Group Reporter. http://bit.ly/2IIpksH
Builder confidence climbs to 70 in May. “This is the fourth time the HMI has reached 70 or higher this year.” NAHB Chairman Randy Noel calls it a “solid” report but notes that the “cost of lumber is hurting builders’ bottom lines and making it more difficult to produce competitively priced houses for newcomers…” Get HMI highlights including a regional breakdown, plus see what economist Robert Dietz expects for the months ahead, in NAHBNow. http://bit.ly/2L7gYsX
The recession’s lingering impact on buyers. “Buyers became more cautious in the home buying process… If they were not directly affected, then they certainly know someone who was.” — Dennis Webb, Fulton Homes. REALTORMag takes a look at the “new breed of home buyer” that has emerged in the aftermath of the Great Recession. http://bit.ly/2rMOw7Q
Downtown Phoenix Sheraton hotel sale to close in June; new operator unknown. News of the close emerged via letter to hotel employees who were informed that their “employment with Marriott will permanently end… most likely… on June 5, 2018.’’ But finalization of the sale “doesn’t necessarily mean layoffs,” and an unknown operator doesn’t necessarily mean a name hasn’t been floated. AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2IlwjbI
Phoenix to vote on $18M bakery development deal with Hines. The city council is set to vote on a “30-year deal to lease city-owned land” to Hines, which “will then develop the parcels” at 26th Street and Washington into a “140,000-square-foot food manufacturing center.” And the bakery aspect? PBJ reports that “Strictly from Scratch bakery is slated to lease the space from Hines.” http://bit.ly/2rH3X1l
ASU proposal for downtown Mesa is projected to cost city $70M. “A narrow council majority that includes [Mayor John Giles] supports the development, but Kevin Thompson and Jeremy Whittaker have been especially outspoken against the development.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2Gs39C8
College campus expanding in Surprise. “Ottawa University officials inked a 65-year lease with the city last month and are busy advancing plans to add an athletic complex and other facilities as part of a development project originally announced late last year.” School chancellor Kevin Eichner discusses details of the expansion in YourValley. http://bit.ly/2rKkCkA
WingSpan Aviation will break ground at Chandler Airport. The “high-end, customized hangar and office space” breaks ground on May 22. WingSpan Business Investments CEO Jim Moore: “We are blending structured steel buildings with contemporary architecture, technology and modern amenities…” Further details and rendering of the “80,000-square-foot development” that aims to “change the face of local aviation” — in AZRE. http://bit.ly/2IIqtjZ
Arizona Builders Alliance chairman sees busy year ahead. As he assumes the helm as 2018 chairman of the ABA, Sundt Construction regional vice president Marty Hedlund talks to AzBigMedia about some of the challenges that lie ahead. http://bit.ly/2IpYfqT
Seattle and Chicago are now targets for Arizona officials seeking to lure businesses. —> And a “controversial employment tax that was approved May 14 in Seattle could make their job easier.” GPEC president and CEO Chris Camacho: “We are ramping up our digital (marketing) efforts significantly in response to tax and regulatory challenges in those cities.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2KqPv4r
Attorney blasts Casa Grande over Greyhound bus stop decision. “An attorney representing a local gas station that also serves as a bus terminal plans to appeal a decision of the planning commission, according to a scathing letter he sent the city… On May 3, the commission voted against a favorable recommendation for the station…” Casa Grande Dispatch has the story along with the full six-page letter in which that hearing is characterized as “a scene right from the Queen in ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ ” http://bit.ly/2L4Dymh
Charles Montoya will be new Avondale city manager. From AzBigMedia: “Montoya has been City Manager of Watsonville for the past three years. Previously, he served more than two years as town manager at the Town of Florence, AZ, and was the Finance Director/Treasurer for the Town of Castle Rock in Colorado.” Dealmaker sends out a hearty congratulations to City Manager Charles Montoya — and welcome back! http://bit.ly/2wMihL0
Surprise voters OK city’s purchase of private water company. “Preliminary election results Tuesday show Surprise voters green-lighting the city’s request to purchase [Circle City Water Co.] to increase the growing city’s share of Colorado River water.” AZCentral reports that the deal, with an estimated purchase price somewhere “between $10 million and $30 million,” will “now go before the Surprise City Council.” http://bit.ly/2rOkzTU
Supervisors approve flood tax changes despite concerns from Flagstaff councilmembers. “According to a resolution approved by the supervisors Tuesday, properties in the cities of Flagstaff and Page and the town of Fredonia will no longer be exempt from a county flood control district tax.” Arizona Daily Sun reports that Coconino County supervisors made the move “even before the city council had a chance to meet with supervisors or discuss it among themselves.” http://bit.ly/2rLp5Tp
Pima County supervisors OK plan to purchase Tucson bowling alley for government offices. Golden Pin Lanes on West Miracle Mile near North Fairview “would become the home of the health department’s north clinic, adult probation westside office, juvenile court’s northwest office and several other county offices over the next several years.” Arizona Daily Star reports on at least one bowler that isn’t too thrilled with the idea. http://bit.ly/2Kv4v1f
Jordan Rose, Rose Law Group founder and president, moderating upcoming Valley Partnership panel on valley labor shortages. http://bit.ly/2KyvKsq
