Scottsdale & Paradise Valley Development News

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by Leo the Dog

Higher population density in DT Scottsdale and higher incomes would be my guess.

This is really cool, population density dot map. Notice DT Phx is empty and surrounded by the airport and salt river corridor completely void of any population what-so-ever.


http://bmander.com/dotmap/index.html

Hey! It just only black & white, but there is no different color. How I can find it?

[nickw252]

Originally Posted by N830MH

Hey! It just only black & white, but there is no different color. How I can find it?

Each dot represents one person on the census. there are no streets or anything but you can zoom in and see where roads/highways are based on the lack of dots. It's an interesting map but not necessarily the easiest to read or use as a reference.

[ASUSunDevil]

The article mentions the Coyotes potentially building a new arena on Salt River land just east of the 101 in Scottsdale. It blows my mind every time I drive down the 101 and imagine the Cardinals and Coyotes stadium being there instead of the giant mass of farmland that occupies such prominent AZ real estate.




Phoenix Coyotes sale fights clock, new and continued obstacles

Mike Sunnucks

Senior Reporter - Phoenix Business Journal

Greg Jamison and his investment group did not buy the Phoenix Coyotes Wednesday, and they have just one more day to overcome continued obstacles to the sale.

There was optimism earlier this week that Jamison might purchase the Coyotes from the National Hockey League and beat a Jan. 31 city of Glendale deadline for a $308 million arena deal. Officials around the team and Glendale were being told the sale would close.

That optimism has eroded. Still, after more than three years of trying to find a new owner, Jamison's group has one more day to get it done.
A couple theories are floating around regarding Jamison’s challenges as the Thursday deadline clock ticks.

Partners in peril

Officials here in Arizona say Jamison could have the money and financing to buy the NHL-owned Coyotes, or be very close to that mark. "From my understanding the problem is not the money," said one Phoenix-area official familiar with the bid and hockey team.

But Jamison, the former San Jose Sharks CEO, could be squabbling with investment partners on control of the team and decision-making. That would delay finalizing the purchase and could derail it even if the money is there.
The problem for Glendale is that if the structure of Jamison’s Coyotes group changes, the city council might have to vote on a new deal with an altered ownership effort.

The city will not comment on the last days of the latest Coyotes arena deal.
New Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers and new council members, however, are not likely to craft yet another Coyotes deal that helps facilitate a sale via arena management payments and letting the Coyotes charge for parking on city-owned spaces next to Jobing.com Arena.

Coyotes team officials are either not sure of the situation or no commenting on its still-unclear status.

Show me the money?

There are also doubts remaining as to whether Jamison and his group have money and financing to buy the team from the NHL.

The league bought the team out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy for $140 million in 2009. The league has run the team since then and received arena management payments from Glendale. The league, on paper, has been asking $170 million from Coyotes suitors.

While some sources and officials familiar with the Coyotes deal say the money is there, others say Jamison has two-thirds of the needed cash. Others insist it is far less than that.

ESPN reported today Jamison needs a last-minute infusion to get the deal done. Another local executive involved with pro sports machinations is more blunt.

“He’s not close,” said the executive, who asked not to be identified. Still, that executive did not rule out a last-second sale.

Jamison has been private about his partners and financing throughout his effort to buy the Coyotes and keep them in the Phoenix market. Principals from Ice Edge Holdings LLC have been working with Jamison, but further details about the ownership effort have not been publicly disclosed.

The NHL and commissioner Gary Bettman have blessed Jamison’s bid and fought in court and at Glendale City Hall to keep the Coyotes from moving.
There is the possibility the NHL could somehow step in to help close the Coyotes sale before the clock hits midnight Thursday.

That might include accepting a lower bid from Jamison, mediating squabbling within the ownership group and some creative financing or payment plans.

What’s next?

If the time runs out on Jamison, that could then open the Coyotes ownership up to new bidders.

There could be groups that step forward to keep the team Glendale, or long-term in the Phoenix market at a new arena in downtown Phoenix or perhaps in Scottsdale on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community land.
The Salt River tribe built a new spring training ballpark for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies via money from its casinos. Could they do the same for the Coyotes?

US Airways Center in Phoenix is 20 years and old will likely soon need a remodeled or replaced. Could there be a new arena in the works long-term in downtown Phoenix?

Both those options, of course, would be problematic to Glendale and Jobing.com Arena.

Chicago Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has been in the Coyotes mix in the past but has not been willing to put up much cash toward the financially struggling team. One official in pro sports and hockey circles said Reinsdorf could come in with a low-ball $100 million offer to buy the team.
Bettman and Glendale have courted Reinsdorf before to buy the Coyotes and keep the team from moving.

Canadian businessman and Boston Pizza chain owner Jim Treliving’s name has also popped up in the past as a possible Coyotes suitor. Treliving’s son is Coyotes executive and the elder has minor league hockey interests that actually have offices inside the Coyotes Westgate headquarters.

But the conventional wisdom is that if a deal does not get done Thursday, the NHL will finally relent and look at a sale and relocation.

Bidders from the Quebec City, Seattle and perhaps other markets could then be in the mix.

[PHX31]

Originally Posted by ASUSunDevil

The article mentions the Coyotes potentially building a new arena on Salt River land just east of the 101 in Scottsdale. It blows my mind every time I drive down the 101 and imagine the Cardinals and Coyotes stadium being there instead of the giant mass of farmland that occupies such prominent AZ real estate.

It's prominent AZ real estate almost exactly like the AZ real estate Westgate sits on - farmland by the 101.

I don't know where the author got the ideas of building an arena on Salt River Fields or another one Downtown to replace US Airways Center, but it sounds like a crack pot idea he just came up with out of thin air. It would have been pretty cool if everything could have initially been built on the east valley 101 area (Salt River Fields, coyotes arena, Cardinals arena - although for the Cardinals, the best spot would have been on Washington St in Tempe that fell through). As far as US Airways Center in DT goes, it's ONLY 20 years old and has had a pretty major renovation recently. It's fine, I've never once thought or heard talk of it needing to be replaced.

Unfortunately, I think the Coyotes are goners.

[ASUSunDevil]

Originally Posted by PHX31

It's prominent AZ real estate almost exactly like the AZ real estate Westgate sits on - farmland by the 101.

I don't know where the author got the ideas of building an arena on Salt River Fields or another one Downtown to replace US Airways Center, but it sounds like a crack pot idea he just came up with out of thin air. It would have been pretty cool if everything could have initially been built on the east valley 101 area (Salt River Fields, coyotes arena, Cardinals arena - although for the Cardinals, the best spot would have been on Washington St in Tempe that fell through). As far as US Airways Center in DT goes, it's ONLY 20 years old and has had a pretty major renovation recently. It's fine, I've never once thought or heard talk of it needing to be replaced.

Unfortunately, I think the Coyotes are goners.

I am a huge advocate of bigger and better facilities and I agree - I walk into U.S. Airways Center and I see no need for a major renovation or replacement. The place still feels brand new to me.

I feel like the Coyotes would be better suited in Scottsdale since that's where most of the season ticket holders live. Who knows if the Salt River idea is just the author's pipe dream or a real possibility.

I don't even want to think about Cardinals Stadium being at Priest and Washington ever again, I could be riding my beach cruiser to games instead of taking $70 taxi's

[PHX31]

yeah, and i could be taking light rail, instead of not going at all due to the drive/drinking/hassle of parking.

[Jjs5056]

The plague has finally spread to downtown Scottsdale. Multiple buildings north of Fashion Square will be demolished for a gravel lot, with no plans in sight.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/s...emolished.html

SkySong, Optima Sonoran Village and Broadstone Lincoln look to be progressing, on the other hand. Any word on the projects near downtown? Camelback and Scottsdale Road has become a barren wasteland. I'm particuarly interested in my favorite project- BlueSky. With that, Safari Drive, Optima and Waterfront, that area will have a gorgeous variety of mid rise residential.

If only Fashion Square could be converted to an outdoor marketplace somehow. They did make the new addition somewhat decent for a mall add-on, but it's too bad they couldn't have added lofts or something atop. If retail will never take off in downtown Phoenix, I would love to see Scottsdale urbanize as much as possible.

[Vicelord John]

There's some work going on south of the Nordstrom garage in the big empty lot. Something being built there finally???

[Jjs5056]

If it's the same lot I'm thinking of (was slated to be a boutique hotel?), then yes- apartments are planned.

I want to say they are being developed by Alliance Residential, the same company building the crappy ones on Camelback (and Lincoln). The brown stucco, faux brick and car-centric design would fit right into Scottsdale, though again, recent attempts have shown that there is at least the chance of creating something close to a real, diverse and unique downtown there (Waterfront isn't terrible, SouthBridge is pretty cool, etc.).

[Jjs5056]

Indeed, it does seem that lot will become Broadstone at Waterfront- retail and residential complex.

http://azbex.com/alliance-residentia...fill-projects/
http://azbex.com/scottsdale-waterfro...-sf-of-retail/

They developed Level on 16th street... That says enough about their (in)ability to create quality urban projects. I'd prefer a dirt lot to that monstrosity.

[alexico]

I checked out the new Optima building on 64th St. it is rental only. the first of 5 rows is almost done and tenants can start moving in in about 1-2 months. rent is the same price for rent as an Optima Camelview rental by owner. The set up will be very similar to Optima Camelview if you ask me.

1 of the 5 buildings will be facing north and it will be 11 stories with a great view of Camelback. I would consider moving there but

1. Not going to pay $1800 for a 1 bedroom when the 80% of the campus is under construction. no thanks
2. I will wait for the north facing units
3. I am happy at West 6TH

Overall - hold out till its almost done so you get whatever unit you want

[Leo the Dog]

Originally Posted by alexico

I checked out the new Optima building on 64th St. it is rental only. the first of 5 rows is almost done and tenants can start moving in in about 1-2 months. rent is the same price for rent as an Optima Camelview rental by owner. The set up will be very similar to Optima Camelview if you ask me.

1 of the 5 buildings will be facing north and it will be 11 stories with a great view of Camelback. I would consider moving there but

1. Not going to pay $1800 for a 1 bedroom when the 80% of the campus is under construction. no thanks
2. I will wait for the north facing units
3. I am happy at West 6TH

Overall - hold out till its almost done so you get whatever unit you want

WOW! $1800/month seems steep for Phx/Scottsdale. One could rent a new condo for less in Downtown SD.

Thanks for the info...always interested in prices over there!

[Jjs5056]

The Alliance Residential are just as insane. Prices start at over $1,300 for a 600sq ft studio, IIRC, and that's for the one on Camelback. I would expect the ones going up near the Waterfront will be even higher. Yikes.

[alexico]

Originally Posted by Leo the Dog

WOW! $1800/month seems steep for Phx/Scottsdale. One could rent a new condo for less in Downtown SD.

Thanks for the info...always interested in prices over there!

for a very nice 1 bedroom in PHX/SCOTTSALE/TEMPE $1500-$1800 is about right per sq foot.

I paid $1750 from 2006ish to 2009 in the Optima Biltmore (rent prices haven't really dropped in that building, but prices fell 50%) I pay $1650 at WEST 6th (best 1 bedroom floor plan + 22nd floor) rents in Optima Camelview around that same price. 44Monroe prices are about the same too for 1 bedrooms. One Lexington on Central is around the same $1400-$1700 for 1 bedrooms.

I would say DT San Diego has more high rise condos and hence the market is spread out more. there are very few luxury condos in this town if you ask me so prices are a bit higher. all about supply and demand.

Certain high rise condos in this town are very expensive (Esplanade, 2211 Residences, Scottsdale Waterfront) units are basically NYC pricing with crazy HOA fees. The Esplanade building on 24th/Camelback was the first super expensive luxury condo to be finished before the bust. there were some famous people who lived there (amare stoudemire, Scott Coles (mtges limited guy, and a handful of others)

[ASUSunDevil]

The crane for SkySong Residential is up at McDowell and Scottsdale Road. Construction will be done in four phases, with the first 83 units scheduled to open for occupancy in October 2013. All 325 units are scheduled to be built out by April 2014. Should be a nice project with Architekton at the helm. Hopefully the prices aren't as crazy as Optima.

[ASUSunDevil]

New apartments’ design called ‘fresh and exciting’

Optima Sonoran Village in Scottsdale.
Michael Schennum/The Republic
Optima Sonoran Village

6895 E. Camelback Road
optimaweb.com

By Peter Corbett
The Republic | azcentral.com
Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:01 AM

Downtown Scottsdale is getting its first new apartments in more than a decade.

Optima Sonoran Village will move in its first residents next month in a seven-story, 210-unit building of landscaped terraces, tinted green glass and an exterior color palette of yellow, orange and green.

Optima’s contemporary design is intended to bring something fresh and exciting to Scottsdale, said David Hovey Jr., Optima vice president.

“We wanted to have technologically advanced materials, great indoor and outdoor space, and colors that would really create a vibrancy to downtown,” he said.

Sonoran Village, southeast of 68th Street and Camelback Road, is the first completed project in a wave of thousands of apartments proposed downtown and throughout the city.

Optima also was one of the first developers to complete downtown condominiums in 2006, with Camelview Village, north of Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Sonoran Village’s first residents will occupy the lower floors of the building and construction of the interiors will move to the higher floors.

Optima’s first phase includes a 19,000-square-foot fitness center with a basketball court, racquetball, indoor lap pool and a yoga studio. There is a zero-edge outdoor pool and dog park on the 10-acre property.

A restaurant and office suites are planned for 8,000 square feet of commercial space fronting Camelback Road.

Sonoran Village is designed to include 571 additional residential units in three other buildings surrounding a courtyard.

Optima has built the apartments with finishes consistent with condominiums and plans to sell them when there is market demand for the units, Hovey said.

Sonoran Village is one of the first in the city to incorporate Scottsdale’s International Green Construction Code, a series of updated standards aimed at encouraging sustainable development.

Improving on sister project

Optima’s sister project, Camelview Village, still has 15 condominiums for sale, said Eileen Hovey, Optima Realty president.

Her husband, David Hovey, is the architect for both projects and for the Optima Biltmore Towers at 24th Street and Camelback Road.

Optima, with offices in Chicago and Scottsdale, has been designing, building and managing multifamily residential projects for 35 years.

“Our philosphy is to improve on each project we do,” said David Hovey.

In this case, the upgrades include curved and perforated aluminum panels that shade the glass-walled buildings but allow for natural lighting of the apartments.

Other improvements include more privacy on the terraces and upgraded designs for the interior hallways, he said.

Architecture critic Walt Lockley said he liked the design of Optima Camelview and is anxious to see if the developer continues to maintain the lush vegetation there and at the similar Sonoran Village.

Lockley, who splits time between the Valley and Portland, Ore., said he is concerned about shading on the southern and western exposures of Sonoran Village’s glass-walled apartments.

“That’s a signal to me that it could be slightly better,” he said. “That makes it a B-plus instead of an A.”

There are thoughtful and thoughtless examples of contemporary architecture and Sonoran Village is an example of the former, Lockley added.

Apartments start at $1,200

Sonoran Village’s apartments range from one to three bedrooms with 10 floor plans, all with outdoor terraces, DirectTV and high-speed Internet.

Among the options are a two-bedroom, two-bath unit of 1,169 square feet and a one-bedroom apartment with a study of 650 square feet.

Lease prices start at $1,200.

Sonoran Village is planning a grand opening Saturday.

Other apartment developments under construction include Broadstone on Lincoln, northwest of Lincoln Drive and Scottsdale Road; Liv North Scottsdale, northeast of Scottsdale Road and Greenway-Hayden Loop; and the Jefferson at One Scottsdale, northeast of Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road.

Gray Development Group submitted its first set of construction drawings Feb.1 for the 700-unit Blue Sky apartments northeast of Scottsdale and Camelback roads, said Dan Symer, Scottsdale senior planner.

Gray has a deadline of April 26 to have the project substantially under construction but it could request an extension, he said.

Alliance Residential obtained its building permits last week for a project at the Scottsdale Waterfront and on Feb.8 JLB Partners resubmitted its plans for the Portales apartments north of Fashion Square, Symer said.

The planner said he had not seen the Sonoran Village building recently.

“It’s one of those buildings that I want to see it when the rest of the landscaping is in,” said Symer, adding that it will be a nice building when it’s done.

[alexico]

Originally Posted by ASUSunDevil

New apartments’ design called ‘fresh and exciting’
.

^^^ hold off till the place is at least 80% done. paying expensive rent when there are cranes/repair trucks all day long is not worth it

[Leo the Dog]

Originally Posted by alexico

^^^ hold off till the place is at least 80% done. paying expensive rent when there are cranes/repair trucks all day long is not worth it

Leases starting at $1200 sounds about right for brand new luxury.

[Vicelord John]

1200 is too much to live where is be spending double that across the street at the mall or in old town restaurants.

Btw, the closest gas station is Hayden and camelback, right?

[ASUSunDevil]

Discovery Triangle circles back into Scottsdale view


By Beth Duckett
The Republic | azcentral.com
Tue Feb 26, 2013 10:44 PM

Scottsdale’s elected leaders may be open to renewed discussions on joining the Discovery Triangle, a regional planning effort the city has so far eschewed.

The Discovery Triangle Development Corp., a public-private partnership, is working to promote the 25-square-mile region anchored by downtown Phoenix to the west, Arizona State University in Tempe to the southeast and Papago Park to the northeast.

Its goals are to promote redevelopment and new investment by partnering with entrepreneurs, developers and municipal leaders, including those from Phoenix and Tempe.

Scottsdale has so far declined to join.

That could change if the Scottsdale City Council decides to renew talks and reconsider joining the 3-year-old initiative.

Last week, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane said he is “open to renewing discussions” after previously voting against the project. He said he still harbors concerns about the use of incentives to attract developers and linking the city’s well-known brand with its municipal neighbors.

Lane’s consideration, however lukewarm, could have the potential to tip the scales in favor of Scottsdale’s participation.

Four out of seven council members have expressed some interest in joining, though there are still some reservations, according to a recent Arizona Republic questionnaire.

Participation would require at least four yes votes from the council.

In a statement, Discovery Triangle officials said they are “delighted with some of the renewed interest expressed by Scottsdale council members and business leaders” and “look forward to continuing to explore opportunities to build on this regional urban effort.”

In his response to the questionnaire, Lane said he supports regional efforts but “cannot support Scottsdale signing on to a program” that surrenders the city’s “high standards in land-use control, use of development incentives or not and the overall use of the Scottsdale name in identifying Scottsdale with Phoenix and Tempe as one.”

A tri-city effort would expand the Discovery Triangle boundary northeast to encompass south Scottsdale and SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center at McDowell and Scottsdale roads.

Although SkySong is not a part of the boundary, Discovery Triangle officials said they continue to work closely with ASU and SkySong to promote innovation and attract businesses to the region.

In Scottsdale, a divide has emerged between supporters who believe the city should partner with its neighbors and those who say the project has the potential to erode its individuality and bring light rail into Scottsdale. While extensions of the rail system are planned over the next several years, Scottsdale leaders have yet to embrace the concept.

Council members shared their thoughts on the Discovery Triangle in the recent questionnaire.

Councilman Bob Littlefield, who voted against the project in 2010, said his stance hasn’t changed.

“I have met with the proponents of the Discovery Triangle many times, and they were never able to quantify any specific benefits that Scottsdale might derive from this effort,” he said.

Councilman Dennis Robbins said Scottsdale has enough regional associations and can serve the residents “without adding another one to the list.”

Newly elected Councilman Guy Phillips also is opposed, saying, “There is no need to advance a failed concept.”

“I am not an advocate of exploiting Papago Park, nor do I advocate light rail or modern streetcar coming up McDowell Road,” he said.

But Vice Mayor Suzanne Klapp said that the Discovery Triangle now has three years of experience and that the council “should consider the value of their track record” and the potential to further the city’s goals, particularly along and near McDowell Road in south Scottsdale.

“(The Discovery Triangle) is a creative group looking for ways to revitalize older neighborhoods,” Councilwoman Linda Milhaven said.

“We have much to learn from these creative minds. We must also remember that we are part of a larger regional community, and the economic tides of our region raise and lower all boats.”

She added that joining would give Scottsdale “a seat at the table.”

Councilwoman Virginia Korte said that she supports discussions with groups that share the city’s goals but that any potential alliances “must make good financial sense for Scottsdale.”