Quote:
Originally Posted by MMDelon
I wonder what this update could be?
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Given who is presenting the information, the update is likely around the beginnings or endings of a development agreement discussion between Phoenix's Community and Economic Development office and the developer.
I'm not 100% certain either way, but because the agreement doesn't involve city property so far, I think that the agreement discussions are concluding and what will be presented is what the City Council will vote on, subject to public outcry.
I think City discussions are ending. Business development negotiations between cities and private developers, etc are usually done in secret and don't violate the spirit of either open meetings laws or general good government practices. It would be out of the ordinary for either of the parties (CoP and Empire) to play their cards early.
I would watch out for a few points:
- Empire is also the company that ran into the problem with GPLETs in the past so I suppose they're trying to do it right this time with the appropriate community discussion.
- One important fact is a small detail in the agenda: DVC is hosting a discussion with CoP and Nick Wood as the developer's attorney who is also one of if not the most competent zoning attorneys in Arizona.
- I suspect the DVC presentation means they will do more than the typical small amount of affordable housing in exchange for the GPLET which is how previous projects have received the property tax benefits and still passed the Goldwater Institute's muster.
I've been sitting on this and I'm 50/50 on what's presented to DVC. It could be a new tallest or it could be a 200 - 400' wall on 2nd Avenue, or shorter.
The good news is that this is proceeding, whatever it will look like. And that's always a good sign.