General Phoenix Metro Discussion Thread

[Classical in Phoenix]

Thank you.

[exit2lef]

So here's a theory I've been spinning in my head. It's pure speculation with no inside information involved.

-- From the point of view of customers and tenants, the DeSoto Central Market closed abruptly, but the notice given suggested a new use of the building was already in the works.

-- Within a week of the closure, the DeSoto Central Market held a sale to unload furniture, glasses, and other items. That would suggest a tenant that would not need those items or would prefer to supply its own.

-- A few months before the DeSoto closure, Pedal Haus withdrew from the Churchill project without any explanation.

-- The high ceilings and open space within the DeSoto building make it a potentially good spot for a brewery.

-- So, my wishful thinking scenario is that Pedal Haus got the word that the original DeSoto business model wasn't working out and that the building would be available soon. Rather than operating a small taproom at the Churchill, it could create something on a larger scale, similar to what's already in place at CenterPoint in Tempe, in the DeSoto Building.

Feel free to poke holes in my speculative musings or come up with your own. Even if I'm totally wrong (which I consider highly likely), I hope there's some announcement soon of a future use of the DeSoto building.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

So here's a theory I've been spinning in my head. It's pure speculation with no inside information involved.

-- From the point of view of customers and tenants, the DeSoto Central Market closed abruptly, but the notice given suggested a new use of the building was already in the works.

-- Within a week of the closure, the DeSoto Central Market held a sale to unload furniture, glasses, and other items. That would suggest a tenant that would not need those items or would prefer to supply its own.

-- A few months before the DeSoto closure, Pedal Haus withdrew from the Churchill project without any explanation.

-- The high ceilings and open space within the DeSoto building make it a potentially good spot for a brewery.

-- So, my wishful thinking scenario is that Pedal Haus got the word that the original DeSoto business model wasn't working out and that the building would be available soon. Rather than operating a small taproom at the Churchill, it could create something on a larger scale, similar to what's already in place at CenterPoint in Tempe, in the DeSoto Building.

Feel free to poke holes in my speculative musings or come up with your own. Even if I'm totally wrong (which I consider highly likely), I hope there's some announcement soon of a future use of the DeSoto building.

Interesting theory. I hope that it's not just wishful thinking. I really do enjoy Pedal Haus, however I'm not sure I love their beers or their food. I think i's the over atmosphere and patio, etc. Which, would be further supported at this site as it's got a similar setup to their Tempe location.

Where I'm not convinced is that, I worry about Pedal Haus in Tempe. I'm not sure they're doing great and that's why I think they pulled the plug on the second location. I enjoy the place, but I don't see a ton of people their weekdays and nights.

I hope that you are right.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

So here's a theory I've been spinning in my head. It's pure speculation with no inside information involved.

-- From the point of view of customers and tenants, the DeSoto Central Market closed abruptly, but the notice given suggested a new use of the building was already in the works.

-- Within a week of the closure, the DeSoto Central Market held a sale to unload furniture, glasses, and other items. That would suggest a tenant that would not need those items or would prefer to supply its own.

-- A few months before the DeSoto closure, Pedal Haus withdrew from the Churchill project without any explanation.

-- The high ceilings and open space within the DeSoto building make it a potentially good spot for a brewery.

-- So, my wishful thinking scenario is that Pedal Haus got the word that the original DeSoto business model wasn't working out and that the building would be available soon. Rather than operating a small taproom at the Churchill, it could create something on a larger scale, similar to what's already in place at CenterPoint in Tempe, in the DeSoto Building.

Feel free to poke holes in my speculative musings or come up with your own. Even if I'm totally wrong (which I consider highly likely), I hope there's some announcement soon of a future use of the DeSoto building.

Great theory and maybe has some legs to it? The thing I loved most about DeSoto was its community aspect and how all kinds of community events happened there. I just hope whatever goes in its place (a brewery would be awesome) kind of keeps this going...

[ASU Diablo]

Wow big loss for Buckeye and Maricopa County!!

https://www.pinalcentral.com/coolidge_ex...cc7ccbd-5d23-5103-ae76-b69205f39557.html

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by airomero83

Wow big loss for Buckeye and Maricopa County!!

https://www.pinalcentral.com/coolidge_ex...cc7ccbd-5d23-5103-ae76-b69205f39557.html

I wonder about this detail, though:

"Nikola headquarters, on the other hand, will be relocating to Phoenix. The new headquarters and research and development facility are currently under construction."

That could be good news, depending on where the HQ is placed and how many people it employs.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I wonder about this detail, though:

"Nikola headquarters, on the other hand, will be relocating to Phoenix. The new headquarters and research and development facility are currently under construction."

That could be good news, depending on where the HQ is placed and how many people it employs.

Yeah I did notice that. Anyone know where it's currently being constructed?

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

Where I'm not convinced is that, I worry about Pedal Haus in Tempe. I'm not sure they're doing great and that's why I think they pulled the plug on the second location. I enjoy the place, but I don't see a ton of people their weekdays and nights.

Interesting. I haven't been to Pedal Haus in Tempe for a while, so I don't have a good sense of how well they're doing.

Originally Posted by airomero83

Great theory and maybe has some legs to it? The thing I loved most about DeSoto was its community aspect and how all kinds of community events happened there. I just hope whatever goes in its place (a brewery would be awesome) kind of keeps this going...

I liked that community aspect, but I think it may have also been part of why the business model didn't work out. Whenever I was there, I would see tables occupied by groups of people who seemed to be holding business meetings, study sessions, or book clubs. Many of the attendees weren't buying a lot of food or drink. To prevent widespread freeloading, I think a food hall has to be so crowded and busy that there's an implicit message that you shouldn't claim a seat unless you've made a substantial purchase. I've seen that at places like the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, the Liberty Public Market in San Diego, and the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver. DeSoto, however, was never packed enough for that kind of implied rule to be necessary.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by airomero83

Yeah I did notice that. Anyone know where it's currently being constructed?

I believe it's 40th St./Broadway.

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news...tric-semi-truck-startup-hiring-more.html

I think the previous articles I read indicated that the plan was to move the HQ to the Buckeye. This might be preferrable--put the plant out in Coolidge, but keep the HQ in town.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by airomero83

Wow big loss for Buckeye and Maricopa County!!

https://www.pinalcentral.com/coolidge_ex...cc7ccbd-5d23-5103-ae76-b69205f39557.html

To be honest, a plant like that being built in the Florence/Coolidge community will be far more impacful for those towns than locating in the west valley.

Technically still in the Phoenix Metro but this will support thousands of households in the area and help those towns thrive beyond bedroom communities.

EDIT: Actual that address puts it right outside of Eloy, Florence, Casa Grande and Coolidge all within about 15-20 min drives.

For people (probably managers) willing to dive a little further you could live in San Tan Valley, Maricopa, South Chandler and Marana/North Tucson

So while its a loss for the valley its actually a huge win for an area of the state that quite frankly needs it more than Phoenix does. And its not far from where Lucid is supposed to set up shop (if it ever does)

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Technically still in the Phoenix Metro but this will support thousands of households in the area and help those towns thrive beyond bedroom communities.

Manufacturing employment is also preferable to working in a prison, which is a big part of the economy in that part of Pinal economy.

[DesertRay]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Manufacturing employment is also preferable to working in a prison, which is a big part of the economy in that part of Pinal economy.

That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm doubly excited because this extends the automotive expertise to a place where there could be a lot of growth. If an automotive innovation hub develops in that area, there is plenty of space to grow, while still adding to the economy without straining our city infrastructure. Win-win-win.

[AnthonyPHX]

Phoenix voted last Wednesday to study diverting prop 104 light rail money toward road maintenance.

Combined with the opposition to the South Central extension and the extreme FTA stinginess with funds, the current system may be all we get for the foreseeable future. I'd count on a lawsuit if they actually vote to divert the funds. if I recall correctly prop 104 specified certain percentages of the funds to be used for specific purposes.
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2018/08/31/p...moves-to-hijack-transit-money-for-roads/

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by AnthonyPHX

Phoenix voted last Wednesday to study diverting prop 104 light rail money toward road maintenance.

Combined with the opposition to the South Central extension and the extreme FTA stinginess with funds, the current system may be all we get for the foreseeable future. I'd count on a lawsuit if they actually vote to divert the funds. if I recall correctly prop 104 specified certain percentages of the funds to be used for specific purposes.
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2018/08/31/p...moves-to-hijack-transit-money-for-roads/

It says its just a study and the final vote is next week.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Obadno

It says its just a study and the final vote is next week.

One of the aspects being studied is the legality of shifting funds from one bucket (rail expansion) to another (street maintenance). My guess is that under the wording of Proposition 104, it may be legal, although I don't think it's advisable -- at least not this early in the process. On the other hand, if the studies for potential new rail corridors come back favoring BRT or a no-build option, then I would have no problem with reallocating any "found money" resulting from that outcome.

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

One of the aspects being studied is the legality of shifting funds from one bucket (rail expansion) to another (street maintenance). My guess is that under the wording of Proposition 104, it may be legal, although I don't think it's advisable -- at least not this early in the process. On the other hand, if the studies for potential new rail corridors come back favoring BRT or a no-build option, then I would have no problem with reallocating any "found money" resulting from that outcome.

Since I just responded to this in the other thread, I will just reiterate my stance that I think if this happened, it will be hard to gain voter approval on future transportation ballots. This will for sure leave a bad taste in the mouths of voters that voted for this and build distrust with future initiatives.

[AnthonyPHX]

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

Since I just responded to this in the other thread, I will just reiterate my stance that I think if this happened, it will be hard to gain voter approval on future transportation ballots. This will for sure leave a bad taste in the mouths of voters that voted for this and build distrust with future initiatives.

Agreed. Though I'm sure Sal Diciccio and Jim Waring would love that kind of outcome.

[Obadno]

Mayo Clinic plans major expansion to double Phoenix campus; hiring 2,000

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news...lans-major-expansion-double-phoenix.html

Mayo Clinic is embarking on a $648 million expansion that will nearly double the size of its Phoenix campus — paving the way for 2,000 more high-paying health care jobs.

Plans are so preliminary the nonprofit health system has yet to issue requests for proposals for an architect and general contractor, said Dr. Wyatt Decker, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona and vice president of Mayo Clinic's overall operations.

The project will be financed by a combination of internal operations, philanthropy and a bond issue, Decker said.

"We are prepared to finance it all internally," Decker said. "We are confident of that. We'll look at debt financing and doing some fundraising to augment our own internal funds."

Plans call for breaking ground within the next 10 to 12 months, he said.

The expansion project, dubbed the Arizona Forward Project, will add 1.4 million square feet of building space to the existing 1.7 million square feet at the hospital campus at 56th Street just south of Loop 101.

The first thing to be built will be a six-story patient tower that will increase the number of inpatient beds from 280 to 374 by 2023.

"If you look at our total overall bed occupancy for inpatients, it's been greater than 80 percent," said Decker. "If you look at any patients — including observation patients — it's been 99 percent occupancy in the past year. That makes it hard to manage when you have unexpected admissions and that sort of thing. This will provide much needed relief of a very tight hospital situation."

Also planned for construction is a three-story building to house an expanded emergency department, laboratory medicine, radiology and pharmacy. Two parking structures also will be built, with a 1,600-space parking garage for staff and a 1,000-space garage for patients and visitors.

Hiring plans
The expansion will create the need for 2,000 jobs, with 200 of being physicians and scientists and the remaining being nurses, technicians and support staff, he said.

Mayo Clinic currently employs 6,500 people at its north Phoenix hospital campus and its Scottsdale education/research campus in Arizona. About two-thirds of the staff spends most of their time on the Phoenix campus, he said.

Even so, there are no plans to close the Scottsdale campus and move those operations to Phoenix, he said. The Scottsdale campus serves as the headquarters of Mayo Medical School and also where research and executive physicals are conducted.

While 75 percent of Mayo Clinic in Arizona patients are from within the state, the hospital has continued to attract patients from across the U.S. and the globe.

"Last year, Mayo Clinic in Arizona took care of patients from 70 countries," Decker said. "We're seeing a global and a national demand come to Arizona, which is good for the economy, and the hospitality industry benefits tremendously from this."

As part of the vision for that Phoenix campus, Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University are working together to develop a biomedical corridor next to Mayo's Phoenix campus. Four years ago, Mayo and ASU were working with New York-based KUD International Inc. to develop what was being called the 150-acre Arizona Biomedical Corridor.

While ASU and Mayo no longer are working with KUD on that corridor, they are ready to start moving dirt this fall so construction can begin in January on a health education and bioscience research campus on 25 acres adjacent to Mayo's Phoenix campus.

Originally, that project was expected to break ground in 2017 and cost upwards of $200 million to develop, but the budget is now closer to $80 million, said ASU officials.

DPR has been selected to build that project, while Dick and Fritsche Design Group is architect.

"The alliance with ASU and Mayo has been very strong," Decker said. "That will be one of the key parts of the biomedical corridor."

For the second year in a row, Mayo Clinic's Phoenix hospital made the national honor roll of the 2018-2019 U.S. News Best Hospitals list. For a closer look at Mayo's top-ranked specialties — as well as those of other top Arizona hospitals — click on the gallery below.

Great news for Phoenix Metro, 200+ doctors, not to mention Nurses and many "tech" jobs at hospitals are median Phoenix income and Up

So this is almost 2000 well paying Jobs for the metro.

[Obadno]

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news...-buys-big-chunk-of-land-in-goodyear.html

Microsoft Corp. has bought 272 acres of land in Goodyear, west of Phoenix, for nearly $48 million.

The Redmond, Washington, tech giant bought the land on the southwest corner of Maricopa County 85 and Lower Buckeye Road in the Airport Commerce Center.

RL Brown, founder of Scottsdale-based RL Brown Housing Reports, said he’s not exactly sure what Microsoft plans to do with that parcel.

“It’s a great piece of dirt,” he said. “You’ve got rail, air and freeway adjacent to this huge piece of dirt by a huge company that is probably thinking in terms of either a manufacturing facility or something of that sort — because they don’t farm.”

Messages left Wednesday with Microsoft were not immediately returned. Goodyear officials declined comment.

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) operates a data center at a former Honeywell facility in north Phoenix.

Land sales in metro Phoenix actually saw lower prices during the first half of 2018, except for residential uses.

Land banking? Data center and Back-end operations? Manufacturing? Take your bets

[AnthonyPHX]

HQ2? :-)
Eat your heart out, Amazon!