Florence Hospital at Anthem reaches halfway point
Construction at the 96,000 SF Florence Hospital at Anthem (in Florence) recently reached the halfway point with the topping out of the final steel beam. When it opens in 4Q 2011, the hospital will have a $15M payroll and 225 jobs. It will be a 58-bed facility with 20 emergency beds, 34 multi-purpose beds, and 4 ICU beds. The hospital will also include a full-service laboratory, blood bank and pharmacy, and will incorporate a completely electronic medical record system. SWA is the architect and Layton Construction is the general contractor.
DPR busy with healthcare projects
DPR Construction is busy with healthcare related projects — including several at the Banner Gateway campus in Gilbert. DPR is converting a 24,700 SF exiting pediatric unit into a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit at the BG Medical Center (BGMC). The $2.6M project includes installation of new patient lifts and upgraded mechanical systems to increase air exchanges. DPR also is renovating and expanding ($2.2M, 14,3338 SF) operations in the Microbiology and Laboratory Dept. at BGMC. The architect is Cannon Design|OWP/P and subcontractors include Delta Diversified, Bellaire Mechanical and RCI. Expected completion for both projects is 3Q 2011. DPR just completed a $5.3M, 31,045 SF, 3-story core and shell medical office building on the Banner campus. In Mesa, DPR is renovating the Hospice of Arizona Greenfield House. The $1.8M, 12,064 SF project will include a healing garden dedicated to former Gov. Rose Mofford. SmithGroup is the architect and subs include RML Electric, Ganado Painting, Hardrock Concrete, KTI Tile, Phoenix Wall, Pioneer Masonry, Sunstate Plumbing, Spectrum Mechanical, Styles Brothers and Twin City Hardware. Expected completion is 2Q 2011.
Arizona Experience Museum to be ready by state’s centennial
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on the Arizona Experience Museum, one of the state’s centennial projects. Plans call for enhancing and transforming the current Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum at 15th Ave. and Washington St. in Phoenix. The new museum will be an interactive, technology-driven venue showcasing Arizona’s past, present and future. Plans are on track for the museum’s renovations, with completion expected by 2012, Arizona’s Centennial. The museum will include a new main entrance on Washington, new main lobby, gift shop and reception area, and orientation theater. Museum designer is Gallagher & Associates, architect is Westlake Reed Leskosky, general contractor is Mortenson Construction, and construction consultant is Rider Levett Bucknell.
First Solar to break ground on new plant
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2Q 2011 at the Mesa Proving Grounds for the first phase of First Solar’s next solar module fabrication plant and future expansion. First Solar is acquiring 135 acres at the site from DMB Associates. The manufacturing facility will generate 600 clean-tech jobs for the region in its first phase. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2012. Approximately 400 to 500 jobs will be created during the construction of the project. First Solar considered a number of locations around the country before focusing on the Mesa property. Company officials credit the newly formed Arizona Commerce Authority for helping put the deal together. The 3,200-acre site is located at the SEC of Elliot and Ellsworth roads in Mesa. It was acquired by DMB in 2006
New Westin adheres to call for adaptive re-use
The Westin Phoenix Downtown at the Freeport McMoRan Center is a prime example of adaptive re-use in an urban setting. The Westin, which opened in March, occupies the 11th through 18th floors at 333 N. Central Ave., a 26-floor building originally named One Central Park East. It was originally designed as a mixed-use project with condominiums and academic space for Arizona State’s downtown campus. The plan was modified in 2006 due to budgetary constraints and ASU’s tight timetable to open the School of Journalism by August 2008. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold opened its offices there in 2009. General contractor for the Westin was Perini Building Co., the architect was SmithGroup and interior design was completed by Gensler and a Westin interior design team.
Intel plant to bring thousands of construction jobs to Arizona
Intel Corporation’s announcement that it plans to invest more than $5B to build a new chip manufacturing facility in Chandler could mean thousands of construction jobs for Arizona once the project is completed in 4Q 2013. The new factory, designated Fab 42, will be 200,000 SF of cleanroom space located at 4500 S. Dobson Rd. The developer, general contractor and architect have yet to be selected.
Fiat ‘salon’ added at Airpark Dodge Chrysler Jeep
Construction on a $1M, 4,547 SF Fiat “salon” at Airpark Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Scottsdale is scheduled to be completed by October. The project is an addition of a showroom for the Fiat brand to the existing dealership at 16301 N. 78th St. in Scottsdale. An original plan called for the salon to be housed at a temporary facility near Hayden and Raintree roads. However, Fiat officials scrapped those plans. Developer is the Van Tuyl Group and the architect is John Mahoney Architect. A general contractor had not been selected at press time.
Jones Lang LaSalle selected for Salvation Army project
The Salvation Army retained Jones Lang LaSalle to provide real estate advisory and development management services for a new social service and administration campus. The redevelopment, which will take place on The Salvation Army Herberger campus at 2707 E. Van Buren St. in Phoenix, will replace 160,000 SF of failing space with two new buildings and a renovated warehouse. The redevelopment also opens 6 acres at the SWC of 28th and Van Buren streets, within the Herberger campus, for new, like-minded development. Phase I runs 1Q 2011 to 1Q 2012 and includes a 40,000 SF divisional headquarters and a 30,000 SF social services building at the site of the current Salvation Army property. Phase II includes 6 acres of land at the SEC of 28th and Van Buren streets. Project architect is Deutsch Architecture Group of Phoenix. The general contractor is Nitti Graycor of Tempe.
Adolfson & Peterson completes shopping center site work
Site work for Phase 1 of Paseo Lindo, a shopping center at the NEC of Arizona Ave. and Ocotillo in Chandler, will be completed in July by general contractor Adolfson & Peterson. The 47-acre site will be anchored by a Target store. Developer of the project is RED Development. For Phase 1, Butler Design Group is the architect and Olsson is the civil architect. For the Target store, general contractor is Ryan Companies US and the architect is RSP Architects. Subcontractors include Sandstrom (earthwork), Juarez (wet utilities), AME (electrical) and Gothic (landscaping).
Struggling Gilbert building lands two popular eateries
Two popular Valley dining establishments have signed leases as the new tenants of a struggling Downtown Gilbert commercial building with plans to open their doors in 4Q 2011. Postino Winecafe and Barrio Café will occupy the former Mahogany Run-Gonzo’s-GrainBelt building in Gilbert. Postino East will occupy 2,500 SF and owner Craig DeMarco plans to spend $500,000 on its construction. Silvana Salcido Esparza, owner of Barrio Café, plans to spend a little less than that transforming the 2,000 SF dining room and 2,000 SF patio.
NASA-themed dome highlights eyecare project
A 30-foot NASA-themed dome is the focal point of a $490,000 construction project inside Family Eyecare of Glendale at Citadelle Plaza. The dome sits 30 feet above the boutique and includes a night sky, hanging “starburst” chandeliers, “planet” pendant lighting and large photo murals of NASA astronauts on the moon. It was designed in partnership with Zeiss, the German maker of optical instruments used for moon landings. General contractor is Bjerk Builders, architect is Kling Stubbins of Philadelphia, and brokerage firm is GPE Commercial Advisors. The official opening of Family Eyecare is early May.
First phase of $120M renovation at TMC completed
The first phase of a $120M renovation project at Tucson Medical Center was recently completed as pediatric patients moved into a new wing. The highlight of the $13.6M, 66,000 SF unit, the TMC Pediatric & Mother Baby Center, is a separate entrance and lobby that includes shades of orange, yellow, blue and green. Additional renovation will include two 500-space parking garages and a 3-story, 60-foot patient room tower. General contractor is Lloyd Construction of Tucson and the architect is Hobbs+Black Architects of Scottsdale. Hobbs+Black also has been awarded TMC’s West Hospital project. It consists of multiple projects including construction of a new West Hospital, and redevelopment of the west side of the 122-acre campus, including a new parking structure.
Utah general contractor to build Gilbert rehab center
Rimrock Construction of Draper, Utah, is the general contractor for a 28,000 SF, 32-bed rehabilitation center being built in Gilbert. The developer, Menlo DevCo, received an $8.2M FHA/HUD loan to build the facility. The project will include a 5,000 SF therapy area, a locker area and therapy pool. The Wellness Therapy Center will be located at 3319 S. Mercy Rd., near Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. It is expected to open in 4Q 2011. Advantage Architects of Idaho Falls, Idaho, is the architect.
Higley looking to future construction of two schools
The Higley Unified School District is looking at 23 acres it has in Sossaman Estates near Power and Queen Creek roads and 21 acres it owns at Elona Dr. and Recker Rd. as it considers the future construction of two middle schools over the next few years. The plan was to build one elementary school, but the area is growing so fast that two middle schools may be needed first. Higley has $71.5M in bond money, but under current law the school district cannot spend it, as assessed home valuations in the area have dipped significantly.
Construction P & Z
Town of Paradise Valley
The Town of Paradise Valley has begun a one-year review process to update its general plan. The update is currently in the initial visioning process.
City of Surprise
The City of Surprise General Plan is in the amendment process to add a Wildlife Linkages Map. The amendment will be presented to the Planning Commission on May 19 and June 9.
City of Goodyear
The City of Goodyear is currently in the process of updating its residential, commercial and industrial design guidelines approved in February 2001. For more information about the proposed changes, please visit the City of Goodyear website.
Town of Gilbert
The Town of Gilbert has drafted an amendment to its medical marijuana regulations in the Land Development Code. The Planning Commission Hearing is scheduled for May 4.
Maricopa County
On May 25, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors reviewed a proposed Stormwater Quality Management and Discharge Control Regulation amendment, including approval and permitting fee adjustments.
On Feb. 8, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors amended the Sign Regulations of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. On April 13, the Board of Supervisors revisited the amendment to consider changes to off-site (billboard) sign regulations.
City of Mesa
The City of Mesa is updating its Zoning Ordinance based on the Mesa 2050 General Plan. A draft of the Zoning Ordinance update is located on the City’s website.
