Pinal County Project News

[phoenixwillrise]

What ever became of Phoenix Mart, The Electric Car Factory, the Auto Racing Facility and last but not least the next Disneyland? How is it even possible a city could have so many pipe dreamers show up in one place? What is up with that?

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by phoenixwillrise

What ever became of Phoenix Mart, The Electric Car Factory, the Auto Racing Facility and last but not least the next Disneyland? How is it even possible a city could have so many pipe dreamers show up in one place? What is up with that?

All big visions that need someone to put up the cash to make them happen. From a couple months ago:

https://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_gr...03f3b17a8.html

I think Casa Grande is attractive to a certain class of projects--cheap land, at the intersection of two major interstates, between two substantial metros. And Casa Grande seems to be willing to give fairly substantial incentives. But eventually the projects have to find funding. And I imagine that the type of proposals they're getting--start-ups with big ideas--take a long time to fund if they're funded at all.

[nickw252]

Originally Posted by phoenixwillrise

What ever became of Phoenix Mart, The Electric Car Factory, the Auto Racing Facility and last but not least the next Disneyland? How is it even possible a city could have so many pipe dreamers show up in one place? What is up with that?

The Lucid Factory appears to be moving forward, albeit at a slower rate than anticipated. This article below is from last week:

Lucid Motors factory in Casa Grande drives closer to a reality

After more than a year since its initial announcement, Lucid Motors announced on April 25th that production of vehicles in Casa Grande, Arizona will begin in two years.

The city was left in limbo for approximately 18 months as Lucid sought to secure $700 million in Series D funding. The two-year time frame comes from the estimated time and cost it will take to begin producing the Lucid Air model at the Casa Grande facility.

The electric car manufacturer secured an extension on the option to buy the land needed for the factory in mid-April. Pinal County Manager Greg Stanley said the county would potentially be the buyer of the 500 acres Lucid has chosen for its factory and then lease it to developers short-term.

Series D funding comes after the previous phases of funding such as raising seed capital followed by Series A, B and C. Typically C is the final round, but for companies looking to raise more capital and gain more investors, another round of funding can be implemented. Richard Wilkie, director of economic development for the city of Casa Grande, said Lucid Motors’ facility would add to the city’s growing reputation,

“(Lucid) helps draw more interest to other companies that may not necessarily be related to the automotive field, but because you have these types of high-quality jobs that would be created,” he said.

Lucid Motors has been short on cash in the past, but delays have not negatively impacted the city financially, Wilkie said.

“These types of projects take time, they don’t happen overnight,” he said. “This is next generation collector’s vehicle, they have autonomous technology in it, it is the wave of the future.”

The city is ready to go, Wilkie said. “If they came in tomorrow and provided us plans, we’d be ready to go.”

The initial announcement to build a factory in Casa Grande came with a proposal of approximately 2,000 new jobs and a new curriculum for the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program at Central Arizona College.

The year-long program has been designed for graduates to enter the workforce immediately in areas of advanced technology, said Advanced Technology Division Chairwoman Kristen Benedict. Since the announcement of the partnership with Lucid Motors, “we’ve seen a growth of the program by 1,300 percent,” Benedict said regarding the number of applications from students for the Advanced Technology Manufacturing Program alone.

“We’re seeing an alignment amongst the state on curriculum and all the colleges on the Sun Corridor will be offering the same curriculum,” she said.

Even with the delay of Lucid’s arrival, Benedict said she does not see wavering in the students’ interest desire to be in the program. The program is applicable to other manufacturing industries, which means the program’s need will not go away either, according to Benedict.

Stanley expressed the city’s eagerness and excitement for Lucid’s arrival saying it could potentially reduce long work commutes for many residents. “The county’s workforce is about 170,000, about 50 percent of that workforce travel outside of the county to places like Phoenix and Tucson,” he said.

“The economic benefits will be tremendous,” Stanley said.

“We have over 25 health-care related specialists in the community, we’re the health-care hub of Pinal County,” he said. “We have advanced manufacturing; we have Hexcel, which is an international company—they’ve been in the community over 40 years.”

Hexcel is one of the largest producers for the commercial aerospace industry and is among some other large corporations in Casa Grande like Frito Lay and Abbott Nutrition.

Wilkie said the proximity to the Interstate 8 and 10 as well as two major airports—Phoenix Sky Harbor International and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway—puts the area in a good position.

“That’s what makes us so enticing for these large, Fortune 500 companies to put distribution centers,” he said.

According to Wilkie, Lucid Motors could prompt more residents, new housing and a growth in food, entertainment and retail sales.

“You see a direct benefit with the jobs being created,” he said.

https://azbigmedia.com/lucid-motors-...-to-a-reality/

[biggus diggus]

Lots of guys with big dreams and shallow pockets try to make their dreams a reality in Casa Grande because land is cheaper, I think they realize later that they're going to lose a lot of money or realize that even though the land is cheaper they still can't afford it.

There's also a finite amount of developer hype to sell houses.

[Obadno]

I also think Casa Grande suffers from a 20 year old idea of massive suburban growth that has decidedly changed into (while still sprawly) much slower outward expansion than before 2008.

Back in the early 00's everyone thought Phoenix and Tucson would grow into each other with un-ending Socal style sprawl within 20 years.

Well, that clearly isn't going to happen for way more than 20 years even from now.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by Obadno

I also think Casa Grande suffers from a 20 year old idea of massive suburban growth that has decidedly changed into (while still sprawly) much slower outward expansion than before 2008.

Back in the early 00's everyone thought Phoenix and Tucson would grow into each other with un-ending Socal style sprawl within 20 years.

Well, that clearly isn't going to happen for way more than 20 years even from now.

I thank my lucky stars that the Gila River reservation exists--sprawl stretching south from Chandler to Casa Grande would be depressing.

It's too bad that Casa Grande doesn't have the territorial history of a place like Prescott. If it had developed a little more a little earlier it could be a pretty cool waypoint between Phoenix and Tucson. As it is, the few historic buildings they have (other than the High-School-turned-City-Hall) are not much to look at, and the pockmarked suburban subdivisions almost irrationally bug me when I drive through. I did have a good meal at Big House Cafe once though.

[azsunsurfer]

Originally Posted by muertecaza

I thank my lucky stars that the Gila River reservation exists--sprawl stretching south from Chandler to Casa Grande would be depressing.

It's too bad that Casa Grande doesn't have the territorial history of a place like Prescott. If it had developed a little more a little earlier it could be a pretty cool waypoint between Phoenix and Tucson. As it is, the few historic buildings they have (other than the High-School-turned-City-Hall) are not much to look at, and the pockmarked suburban subdivisions almost irrationally bug me when I drive through. I did have a good meal at Big House Cafe once though.

Also I had no idea until recently how gang infested CG is. It reminds me of the Hemet/ San Jacinito of the Inland Empire in CA.

[sh9730]

Wow - Haven't checked on this board for a bit - and then read this one - most of it is reasonable and I will provide updates - but let's get the last comment above out of the way....CG is NOT gang infested by any stretch....

As for the projects - yes they are all delayed more than expected - but none are dead yet either - here are updates:

LUCID MOTORS - This one IS still moving forward and we hopefully will be hearing some next step definitive news soon. As a matter of fact some other projects are in the works that were "contingent" upon the real likelihood of Lucid moving ahead - and THOSE projects are moving ahead in the back channels.

Attesa (Racetrack) - Also still in real development - the latest though is the land may (likely will) be annexed into the city of CG to allow for some better infrastructure, as well as tax options that the county cannot provide. In the meantime they are moving ahead. Here is their latest public announcement - just a couple of weeks ago:

https://goldencorridorliving.com/att...rings-eternal/

Phoenixmart - This one is a toss up. The good news is they have been cleared from their FBI investigation and that should help with investment efforts. They DO have some of that in process, AND they do still have all sorts of plans under review with the city etc.

They also just recently gained approval for some upgrades and zoning variances for the old Outlet Mall they also own along I 10 south of town and they claim we should see some real activity there before years end.

On the other hand - they have some liens, lawsuits, and tax issues that they must resolve quickly, or things will go downhill fast.

Dreamport Villages (Amusement Park) - another toss up - though they claim things are still moving in the background. Water approval may be an issue here - and ADWR is not being very cooperative with Pinal County applications now.

As for CG overall (but not really big project or SkyScraper related so I will be brief) - Homebuilders are back in town at a gaining pace - the NEW mall along I 10 has a new owner and they are being VERY aggressive with attracting new tenants to some of the abandoned suites/buildings in that center. AND there are several other projects "in the works" that are not ready for public release yet.

Hope this helps.

[azsunsurfer]

Originally Posted by sh9730

Wow - Haven't checked on this board for a bit - and then read this one - most of it is reasonable and I will provide updates - but let's get the last comment above out of the way....CG is NOT gang infested by any stretch....

As for the projects - yes they are all delayed more than expected - but none are dead yet either - here are updates:

LUCID MOTORS - This one IS still moving forward and we hopefully will be hearing some next step definitive news soon. As a matter of fact some other projects are in the works that were "contingent" upon the real likelihood of Lucid moving ahead - and THOSE projects are moving ahead in the back channels.

Attesa (Racetrack) - Also still in real development - the latest though is the land may (likely will) be annexed into the city of CG to allow for some better infrastructure, as well as tax options that the county cannot provide. In the meantime they are moving ahead. Here is their latest public announcement - just a couple of weeks ago:

https://goldencorridorliving.com/att...rings-eternal/

Phoenixmart - This one is a toss up. The good news is they have been cleared from their FBI investigation and that should help with investment efforts. They DO have some of that in process, AND they do still have all sorts of plans under review with the city etc.

They also just recently gained approval for some upgrades and zoning variances for the old Outlet Mall they also own along I 10 south of town and they claim we should see some real activity there before years end.

On the other hand - they have some liens, lawsuits, and tax issues that they must resolve quickly, or things will go downhill fast.

Dreamport Villages (Amusement Park) - another toss up - though they claim things are still moving in the background. Water approval may be an issue here - and ADWR is not being very cooperative with Pinal County applications now.

As for CG overall (but not really big project or SkyScraper related so I will be brief) - Homebuilders are back in town at a gaining pace - the NEW mall along I 10 has a new owner and they are being VERY aggressive with attracting new tenants to some of the abandoned suites/buildings in that center. AND there are several other projects "in the works" that are not ready for public release yet.

Hope this helps.

Oh really....?

https://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_gr...14d759e0d.html

https://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_gr...6924f95c4.html

http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/3...no-gang-member

[sh9730]

Originally Posted by azsunsurfer

Oh really....?

https://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_gr...14d759e0d.html

https://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_gr...6924f95c4.html

http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/3...no-gang-member

Yes - really - a complete exaggeration on your part - I could do a similar search for every area in the Phoenix metro - SOME gang activity is everywhere - that is a big difference than "infested".

As for these articles in particular:

#1 - this is for ALL of Pinal County - it barely mentions Casa Grande specifically.

#2 - yes, there are SOME gang members in CG - as there are in virtually every city and town in the country. What gang activity (especially violence) there is in CG is limited mostly to gang on gang issues (as was the case in this incident), and in some very limited areas of town.

#3 - this incident occurred in SELLS - a town about 50 miles from CG. It only had a CG byline because that is the Border Patrol station that covers Sells.

[sh9730]

At least one of the projects mentioned in this post got a major boost today - 1 Billion+ funding obtained with a major chunk of it going to the CG facility. :

https://www.azcentral.com/story/mone...ry/1337346002/

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by sh9730

At least one of the projects mentioned in this post got a major boost today - 1 Billion+ funding obtained with a major chunk of it going to the CG facility. :

https://www.azcentral.com/story/mone...ry/1337346002/

I think this pretty much garuntees it now gets built, and Nikolai is for sure being built getting built only about 20-30 mins outside of casa grande these two projects will bring major employment and wealth into the region finally

[Obadno]

https://azbigmedia.com/land-advisors...-motors-plant/

Land Advisors sells 80 acres for $800M Lucid Motors plant

Land Advisors Organization’s broker Kirk McCarville represented the Buyer, Pinal County, in the transaction of 80 acres from Vernon Lester Barnes on December 21, 2018.

The 80 acres are being used by Lucid Motors to develop an $800 million plant, with engineers planning to break ground in March or April of this year. In the next 4-5 years, Lucid Motors is expected to employee 2,000 people in the Pinal area, to help with production of the Lucid Air Car.

For more information regarding the Pinal market and more specifically this transaction, contact Kirk McCarville at kmccarville@landadvisors.com.

Looks like this is still moving, at a snails pace but still moving.

[Obadno]

Lucid Motors slowly becoming a reality:

Pinal County purchased 500 acres of land in Casa Grande to be leased and eventually sold to Lucid Motors Inc., which plans to create a $700 million production facility on the site.

The Arizona plant’s focus will be on the Lucid Air, an all-electric luxury sedan the company claims has a 400-mile range and top speed of 200 mph.

The county stepped in to help the deal by consolidating the land under one ownership that eventually would be sold to Lucid, Pinal County Manager Greg Stanley said. The county closed on the land at the end of 2018, spending $29.94 million through the issuance of bonds.

As part of the agreement, Lucid will pay $1.8 million per year in rent for the first four years of the agreement, and will buy the land in the fifth year, Stanley said. The county will break even on the deal.

Lucid eventually plans to employ 2,300 people at the site, which is expected to begin construction in the second quarter of this year.

Lucid is required to keep funds in an account that, if the plant does not come to fruition, will be used by the county to complete infrastructure improvements on the site to make it a shovel-ready industrial park.

Most of the land was owned by Scottsdale-based Saint Holdings before being purchased by the county. Kirk McCarville of Land Advisors brokered a deal for 80 acres from a separate seller of adjacent land, which was purchased by the county as part of the 500-acre total purchase.

Saint Holdings is owner and developer of the Central Arizona Commerce Park, which contains the Lucid land.

“We have quite a bit of interest in the northern parcels,” said Jackob Andersen, president and CEO of Saint Holdings of the Central Arizona Commerce Park, which is also part of an opportunity zone. “We are open for business on the neighboring sites, we hope the others will get auxiliary uses.”

Saint Holdings also owns and is developer of the Inland Port of Arizona in Coolidge, where Nikola Motor Co. plans to build a manufacturing plant. Nikola plans to manufacture its hydrogen-electric semi-trucks at the facility.

Andersen said he sees a good opportunity for Arizona to become a manufacturing hub for high-tech alternative fuel or autonomous vehicles.

[Mr.RE]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Lucid Motors slowly becoming a reality:

I inquired about their new Lucid Air and the customer service rep told me they are projecting delivery to be in Late 2020 or 1Q 2021. Definitely moving quickly to get this up and running

[azliam]

Dreamport Villages: Massive amusement park slated for Casa Grande finalizing 'any day now'

CASA GRANDE, AZ — It is supposed to be Arizona's big chance to host a major amusement park. Our own Disneyland in the desert where I-10 and I-8 meet in Casa Grande. That was two years ago.

"It's quite an endeavor, takes a long time to get everything together," said Florida-based Developer Alan Segall. "We started a lot longer than two years ago."

A world-class entertainment amusement park on 1,500 acres. Plans for Dreamport Villages include extreme sports, rock climbing, a water park and wildlife park.

The property also touts several resorts, shops and entertainment venues. Segall says the official green light to move forward is on the horizon. "It's literally coming down any day now," he said.

The big hold up is the big price tag, which could soar as high as $4 billion. Segall says he is working with investors daily to ease concerns, secure funding and finally get shovels in the ground.

More...

https://www.abc15.com/news/region-ce...ng-any-day-now

[xymox]

Originally Posted by azliam

Dreamport Villages: Massive amusement park slated for Casa Grande finalizing 'any day now'

You left off an important part, buried at the end of the article:

“The project could take 10 years to complete.”

10 years? Really? I really don’t think we’ll see this one happen. Smells like its designed to inflate property values nearby for a ‘pump and dump’.

At least the Lucid Motors factory is actually going to happen...’any day now’.

[azliam]

Originally Posted by xymox

You left off an important part, buried at the end of the article:

“The project could take 10 years to complete.”

10 years? Really? I really don’t think we’ll see this one happen. Smells like its designed to inflate property values nearby for a ‘pump and dump’.

At least the Lucid Motors factory is actually going to happen...’any day now’.

I only quoted parts since some forums edit posts that quote verbatim entire articles.

[Obadno]

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/...-millions.html

They really shouldnt call this the "valley" but whatever.

Nikola Motor Co. is another step closer to building its 1 million-square-foot electric, semi-truck plant in Coolidge.

Nikola, the fledgling Phoenix-based autonomous hydrogen-electric semi-truck startup, paid $23,085,682 on March 4 for the 389-acre property at State Route 87 and Houser Road in Coolidge, according to Walter Unger, a senior associate broker with Phoenix-based Kasten Long Commercial Group.

Nikola CEO Trevor Milton said the startup is excited to break ground in Coolidge for the new factory, which should happen sometime in 2020. The facility is expected to be operational by 2022.

“This factory will be state-of-the-art and will enable Nikola to build up to 35,000 trucks per year,” Milton said. “The world is changing at a very rapid rate and it requires a great workforce to help make that happen. We have been excited to see nearly all of our positions being filled quickly and the state of Arizona has been incredible assisting us to fill those positions.”

Nikola Motor Co. CEO Trevor Milton said he searched for a new city to move his company for a year and a half before choosing the Phoenix metro area.
Enlarge
Nikola Motor Co. CEO Trevor Milton said he searched for a new city to move his company for a year and a half before choosing the Phoenix metro area.
JIM POULIN | PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL

In January 2018, Nikola originally chose Buckeye for its new headquarters and manufacturing plant. The company said it would hire more than 2,000 people and bring its $1 billion manufacturing plant to the Valley for its zero-emission trucks.

Nikola since has moved its headquarters to Phoenix, where it is building a research and development facility. The company also did an about-face and decided to build its manufacturing facility in Coolidge instead of Buckeye because needed infrastructure was already in place.

Besides the hydrogen fuel cells, Nikola also plans to build short-haul electric semi-trucks, with its Nikola Two and Nikola Tre available in both electric and hydrogen configurations.

Nikola is busy preparing for its Nikola World event at WestWorld in Scottsdale April 16-17 where it promises to give the public a first look at its zero-emission trucks and powersports division.

In February, Nikola named Mark Russell, former president and chief operating officer at Worthington Industries Inc. (NYSE: WOR), as its first president.

[Obadno]

More Nikoli News: https://azbigmedia.com/nikola-motor-...ing-2000-jobs/

Nikola Motor Company (“Nikola”) and Saint Holdings today announced the acquisition by Nikola of approximately 400 acres of property in Pinal County at Inland Port Arizona in Coolidge. Nikola plans to build its hydrogen-electric class 8 trucks at its manufacturing facility at this location and anticipates the project will bring approximately 2,000 jobs to the region by 2024.

“We are excited to have Pinal County and the city of Coolidge as the future home of our manufacturing facility. Both the County and the city have been extremely helpful as we work to make this project happen. We are also grateful to Saint Holdings for their support of our vision on this groundbreaking endeavor,” said Britton Worthen, Nikola’s chief legal officer and company lead for the site selection process.

“From the first moment the Nikola team came to our offices, we knew that it was imperative that we be their number one choice for their new manufacturing facility,” stated Jackob Andersen, president, and CEO of Saint Holdings, LLC. “They are a huge complement to Pinal County’s transformation into a vehicle manufacturing hub. The County, City of Coolidge, Nikola and our team collectively pulled together to make this opportunity a reality, and we are grateful for the huge effort and laser focus made by all to achieve the goal. Both our rail-served industrial parks, Central Arizona Commerce Park and Inland Port Arizona are now anchored with two fantastic companies and have enough acreage to accommodate the continued vision and partnerships for years to come”.

“When we set out to build a factory, part of my vision was to help an entire community,” stated Nikola CEO Trevor Milton. “By completing the deal with Saint Holdings, we can now begin to realize that dream. Imagine what it will do for property values, schools, parks, and other city improvements. Bringing 2,000 jobs and thousands more from other suppliers will be a huge benefit to Coolidge and the surrounding areas for decades to come.”

“The partnership between Nikola and Saint Holdings has been exemplary from the start. Nikola’s vehicles and market vision coupled with Saint Holding’s world-class manufacturing destination has created the perfect economic development engine for the new automotive industry in Arizona”, said Tom Stringer, BDO’s Site Selection & Incentives practice leader who lead the nearly two-year national site selection process for Nikola.