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
EPCOR proposes big hook-up fee increases to pay for infrastructure; ‘not unexpected’ says Court Rich, Rose Law Group co-founder.STVS reports that, if approved, the cost of new hook-ups to the JU system will more than triple. • In RLGR, Court Rich calls it a “significant” but predictable increase, adding that the ACC will likely consider equitable “alternatives.” http://bit.ly/31VvSL0
New Pinal subdivision OK’d on Hunt Highway amid sewer worries. Sewage from the 65-acre subdivision will likely flow into the “notoriously smelly Section 11 plant in Magic Ranch.” However, Supervisor Pete Rios says that to “deny the project for this reason ‘sends a message that Pinal County is closed to further development’” in the area. Flo Reminder. http://bit.ly/2AP28TY
not unexpected’ says Court Rich, Rose Law Group co-founder.STVS reports that, if approved, the cost of new hook-ups to the JU system will more than triple. • In RLGR, Court Rich calls it a “significant” but predictable increase, adding that the ACC will likely consider equitable “alternatives.” http://bit.ly/31VvSL0
New Pinal subdivision OK’d on Hunt Highway amid sewer worries. Sewage from the 65-acre subdivision will likely flow into the “notoriously smelly Section 11 plant in Magic Ranch.” However, Supervisor Pete Rios says that to “deny the project for this reason ‘sends a message that Pinal County is closed to further development’” in the area. Flo Reminder. http://bit.ly/2AP28TY
Casa Grande approves site plans for Lucid Motors $700 million electric car plan. P&Z’s big thumbs-up on Thursday sets the stage for Lucid to start construction on the first phase of the project. Details in Mike Sunnucks report for RLGR. http://bit.ly/2OuGyMK
Hemp animal feed? An “exciting alternative,’ says Adam Trenk, Rose Law Group partner, director of cannabis and hemp departments. What do farmers and livestock producers think about “the crop many consider controversial”? Farm Journal surveys. • In RLGR, Adam Trenk comments on the big benefits of hemp as against more conventional livestock feeds. http://bit.ly/2oWf6Nk
Homebuilding increases to highest level in over a decade. <- That’s nationally. But Chamber Business News zeroes in on Arizona, which saw a “significant jump in homebuilding, as well.” http://bit.ly/2LTPvxh
Sources: Bill Gates affiliate connected to West Valley land buy. PBJ reports that “Gates’ investment company, Cascade Investment LLC, had a hand in a $25 million purchase of more than 2,800 acres known as Spurlock Ranch in Buckeye.” (Subscriber Content). http://bit.ly/2AWcWjb
7 questions with Sam Fox: His next restaurant, the hotel and why he’s dedicated to Phoenix.AZCentral sits down with the Fox Restaurant Concepts founder “to talk about the numerous projects he has planned for metro Phoenix and why he’s still set on staying in this city.” (Subscriber Content). http://bit.ly/2MmZBpr
Former Suns all-star KJ helps bring The Battery to Warehouse District. Kevin Johnson: Three-time NBA All-Star, two-term Sacramento mayor, founder of Seven Ventures, which now is “part of a group that is developing” The Battery, “a luxury apartment community,” located “just steps” from “the arena in which Johnson made his name.” AzBigMedia. http://bit.ly/2p1jfPM
Museum Square timeline becomes clearer in Scottsdale. “A recently-released email from the developer behind Museum Square has shed light on the project’s anticipated timeline and specific parking commitments made to local business owners.” SP. http://bit.ly/2OpHx0y
Arizona State University sells 20 acres of land to Scottsdale developer. ASU banked $14.2 million from Treger Financial, which snapped up the parcel previously “occupied by Arizona Christian University.” As for respective plans going forward — ASU’s plans for the money and Treger’s for the property — tap to PBJ. (Subscriber Content). http://bit.ly/2OrG4XN
Once on the verge of calamity, Thunderbird school has a resurgence. Today, “Thunderbird School of Global Management will break ground with a new building in Phoenix, a physical rebirth several years removed from a tumultuous period that saw an alumni revolt and extreme financial woes.” AZCentral (Subscriber Content). http://bit.ly/2APnO2r
Phoenix hopes economic development efforts ride bioscience wave. City Council will get a briefing tomorrow on the growth of the bioscience and biotechnology sectors. Mike Sunnucks previews today in RLGR. http://bit.ly/2Mf7VYg
Business park gets new owners to jump-start Maricopa development. City Council has approved purchase agreements for two parcels totaling 29.28 acres. So what are these buys all about? As City Manager Ricky Horst puts it: “We’re talking about the full and complete development of the Estrella Gin Commerce Park.” InMaricopa. http://bit.ly/2olPqJW
Tempe apartment complex wants to ban renters under 21. Legal? As AZCentral notes, the ban by “Hilo Tempe, an 11-story tower” planned for Mill and Seventh “could run afoul of the federal Fair Housing Act.” • Evan Bolick: http://bit.ly/357GubA
Zoning change slated for prime Price Road Corridor property. Van Trust Real Estate’s proposed mixed-used with Class A office space, a hotel, and new apartments are headed towards final approval in Chandler. A Mike Sunnucks report in RLGR. http://bit.ly/2OpnS0V
Chandler considers new apartments on vacant industrial site. City Council could give the greenlight today to LGE’s proposal for a new multifamily complex at Nevada St and Commonwealth. Mike Sunnucks briefs in RLGR. http://bit.ly/2LTTM41
Chandler to vote on Air Products expansion plans. City Council will vote today on expansion plans for Air Products and Chemicals Inc. for a 16-acre parcel at Frye and Price. Sunnucks has more in RLGR. http://bit.ly/2OvOFIT
Supervisors have mixed reactions to proposed Pinal freeway corridor. One route “would’ve been chaos” while another “doesn’t do much” for the county. Those were among the reactions from Pinal supervisors during last week’s work session concerning ADOT’s preferred corridor for a north-south freeway. CGD. http://bit.ly/33bPafc
Tentative Pinal freeway route not near downtown Florence. And residents, along with local and state officials, weren’t too happy about it at last week’s ADOT meeting on the future freeway. Flo Reminder. http://bit.ly/30QAmRH
South Phoenix business owners seek assistance during light rail expansion. “Phoenix officials said they will continue to help businesses stay open. But some owners are demanding direct economic help from the city and say the support provided so far has been insufficient.” CN. http://bit.ly/2p3GBnS
This is Scottsdale’s newest historic district. Sands North Town Houses, a mid-century modern community near Scottsdale Rd and Indian Bend, has “became the fourth neighborhood to gain historic designation from the city.” AZCentral. http://bit.ly/2pTFFTL
STK Steakhouse landing on Scottsdale Waterfront. The upscale steakhouse and lounge chain is landing in the Herb Box and Casablanca Rooftop Lounge spaces, reports Sunnucks in RLGR. http://bit.ly/35dTUmz
Scottsdale hires Sherry R. Scott as city attorney. Scott has more than 20 years of municipal legal experience and has served as Scottsdale’s deputy city attorney since 2006. More on Scott in news release at RLGR. http://bit.ly/2ANeb4q
Polo anyone? WestWorld of Scottsdale transforms into polo mecca this fall. The “Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses and Horsepower presented by the Talking Stick Resort roars back” on Nov. 2. Among this year’s new additions: The Royal County Berkshire Polo Club “which counts Prince Charles as its first member.” SI. http://bit.ly/2OqiI4D
Homebuilder sues customer for $550,000 after negative online review [VIDEO]. “The lawsuit filed by Adair Homes Inc. raises interesting questions about what consumers can say online and the ability of businesses to protect their reputation.” KGW. http://bit.ly/2IviGVv
RLG HIRING: Rose Law Group is seeking a receptionist for our fun, fast-paced firm that offers opportunities for advancement.http://bit.ly/2UgnCCk
As a supplement to the Dealmaker, we thought you might enjoy these articles!
Arizona Compete Funds incentivizes but does it deliver? “The Arizona Commerce Authority has shelled out more than $9 million from a fund aimed at helping to close economic development deals. But are companies that receive the funds delivering on their promises?” PBJ. http://bit.ly/2oXiOWS
Q&A: Veteran political reporter confident ‘Republic’ newsroom will win unionization fight.ACT interviews Republic reporter Rebekah Sanders. (RELATED: Gannett Co., the owner of USA TODAY, faces three shareholder lawsuits over financial projections media company made when announcing its impending acquisition by GateHouse Media.). http://bit.ly/338EXjK
2019’s Supreme Court cases to watch. SCOTUS “is hearing cases that could have significant ramifications for generations to come on issues like immigration, LGBTQ employment protections and abortion access.” Axios. http://bit.ly/310qS6I
ASU professor says whistleblowers can range from saints to sinners. “[Marianne] Jennings, an Arizona State University professor of business ethics and an expert in corporate whistleblowers, was part of a panel Wednesday looking at modern whistleblowers.” CN. http://bit.ly/30UcTPF
Payson mayor files suit to stop recall. “Payson Mayor Tom Morrissey on Sept. 27 filed a lawsuit challenging the signatures on the already certified petitions seeking his recall.” Roundup. http://bit.ly/33alUWf
Bodies falling from the Eloy sky. International skydiving competition 2019 FAI World Cup “is back in the United States for the first time since 2006” — and Skydive Arizona in Eloy is hosting the event, which gets underway today! More info in Eloy Enterprise. http://bit.ly/2npgN5k
Congratulations, Mr. Pence, you’ve made ‘Saturday Night Live.’ VP Pence (Beck Bennett) consults with William Barr (Aidy Bryant), Rudy Giuliani (Kate McKinnon) and Mike Pompeo (Matthew Broderick) to strategize about his options during Trump’s impeachment investigation. WATCH in RLGR. http://bit.ly/2OtYhnq
Kate McKinnon’s Elizabeth Warren fakes horror that billionaires don’t like her on ‘SNL.’ Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren drops by ‘Weekend Update.’ WATCH. http://bit.ly/33f5vQC
