NFL threatens to move Super Bowl events from Glendale

National Football League executives are disturbed by Glendale’s perceived lack of support for the 2015 Super Bowl and warn that without a serious attitude adjustment, they’ll move all non-game events to other Valley cities.

In that scenario, Super Bowl XLIX would still be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, but that would be the only signature event associated with the game staged in the city.

League executives already have assigned the popular fan-oriented NFL Experience to Phoenix.

Read more...NFL threatens to move Super Bowl events from Glendale

Glendale softens harsh tone on Tohono O'odham casino

The Glendale City Council recently resolved its four-year saga with the Phoenix Coyotes, so could the long-standing casino conundrum be next?

After a four-year battle, a change of tone is surfacing in council discussions about the Tohono O’odham Nation’s plans to build a casino near the Westgate Entertainment District.

During an Aug. 20 council meeting, a council majority, which included Gary Sherwood, Yvonne Knaack, Ian Hugh and Sam Chavira, called for opening a dialogue with the tribe and gaming experts. Councilwoman Norma Alvarez has been a longtime supporter of the casino.

Read more...Glendale softens harsh tone on Tohono O'odham casino

Idle Zanjero Falls complex poised to spring back to life - USATODAY.com

Winding balconies, roughly 130,000 square feet of office space behind white columns and lattice-stucco walls, a courtyard of sprawling bougainvillea and channels for streams.

They all lie silent. The channels mere dry trenches.

Six years ago, the hulking Santa Barbara mission-style complex at 91st and Glendale avenues was part of something big: A spirited commercial-development boom unlike anything Glendale had ever seen.

Read more...Idle Zanjero Falls complex poised to spring back to life - USATODAY.com

W. Valley homebuyers seeing housing prices skyrocket

Tricia Williams is painfully aware of the housing market rebound that began in 2012.

She and her husband began looking for a home along Happy Valley Road near Interstate 17 in early 2012, just before prices began increasing dramatically. Their wish list included 2,500 square feet and four to five bedrooms for less than $200,000 within the Deer Valley Unified School District.

They put in two other offers in the north Phoenix and Peoria area, but were outbid within a week for one and within a day for the other. They didn’t place counteroffers.

“I wasn’t going to get into the bidding game,” Williams said. “It’s not worth it. There’s been no house that I’d want to do that with.”

Instead, they opted for fewer bedrooms and a mortgage payment that was higher than hoped.

Read more...W. Valley homebuyers seeing housing prices skyrocket

Glendale's Westgate sees influx of bars, eateries

The Westgate Entertainment District area hasn’t seen such an influx of new businesses since shortly after opening seven years ago.

Westgate officials this week announced that Whiskey Rose Saloon, a bar, restaurant and music venue dressed in Southern flair, will open by July. That follows last month’s news that Buffalo Wild Wings will open by football season.

Across 95th Avenue, just outside Westgate proper, the area recently got its first coffee shop, Flora House Cafe, since Tulley’s Coffee closed a year ago. And next door sits the newly opened Majestic Sports and Grill, which is geared toward a Latino crowd with Mexican food and international soccer games on the TVs.

Read more: Glendale's Westgate sees influx of bars, eateries

West Valley cities easing building-permit process

Few people likely consider how long it takes to get a building permit in their city until they go to put in a backyard pool or build an addition to their home.

But beyond permits for individual homeowners, there’s a reason to pay attention.

West Valley cities court developers to bring in more jobs and revenue, and builders say one of the key variables is being able to easily maneuver through local bureaucracy.

Building permits can come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are a key hurdle for anyone starting a construction project. Developers need them for new housing developments and tenant improvements. Residents or contractors need them for projects such as pool installations or new electrical work that needs to comply with city building codes.

Time is money when builders wait for city staff to approve their projects. If a builder can get fast approval to start on a custom home, it makes it easier to line up subcontractors and ultimately get a new resident in that home, for instance.

Glendale, Peoria and Surprise say they fall within national standards, but Surprise was the only one that provided data to back it up.

Read more: West Valley cities easing building-permit process

Community land trusts offer affordable housing choices

An army of contractors has been busy for weeks fixing up an aging home on West Galveston Street in central Chandler. They’re replacing energy-inefficient windows, bringing the electrical system up to standards and expanding a tiny bathroom in the 60-year-old house.

It is not the work of some out-of-state investor hoping to flip the property for profit.

It will be added to a growing pool of affordable housing in Chandler made possible through a community land trust. The trust is a way cities can increase their housing stock while ensuring that some homes remain affordable.

Newtown Community Development Corp., a Tempe non-profit, operates land trusts in Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe.

 Read more:  Community land trusts offer affordable housing choices

Plan for casino near Glendale led to flurry of lobbying

A prospective tribal casino near Glendale drove the most lobbying in Washington by Arizona groups last year, federal records show.  Read more....  http://www.azcentral.com//news/politics/articles/20130124glendale-casino-plan-led-flurry-lobbying.html

Plan for casino near Glendale led to flurry of lobbying

A prospective tribal casino near Glendale drove the most lobbying in Washington by Arizona groups last year, federal records show.  Read more....  http://www.azcentral.com//news/politics/articles/20130124glendale-casino-plan-led-flurry-lobbying.html

Tanger to bring 85 new stores to Westgate in Glendale

Something always seemed to be missing at Westgate City Center, Glendale’s signature entertainment and shopping district: critical mass.

The crowds from nearby sports venues and a movie theater were sporadic, not reliable enough to fill Westgate’s restaurants, bars and concert events on a regular basis.

That could all change Thursday, when Tanger Outlets Westgate opens nearly 85 stores. The mall will be a critical third anchor, along with Jobing.com Arena and University of Phoenix Stadium, for the Westgate complex. Up to 5 million shoppers will go to Tanger each year, according to the mall owner’s projections.

Tanger is the tipping point, say executives with a stake in the 6-year-old Westgate. A company called iStar Financial Inc. took over a year ago.

Read more: Tanger to bring 85 new stores to Westgate in Glendale

Tanger to bring 85 new stores to Westgate in Glendale

Something always seemed to be missing at Westgate City Center, Glendale’s signature entertainment and shopping district: critical mass.

The crowds from nearby sports venues and a movie theater were sporadic, not reliable enough to fill Westgate’s restaurants, bars and concert events on a regular basis.

That could all change Thursday, when Tanger Outlets Westgate opens nearly 85 stores. The mall will be a critical third anchor, along with Jobing.com Arena and University of Phoenix Stadium, for the Westgate complex. Up to 5 million shoppers will go to Tanger each year, according to the mall owner’s projections.

Tanger is the tipping point, say executives with a stake in the 6-year-old Westgate. A company called iStar Financial Inc. took over a year ago.

Read more: Tanger to bring 85 new stores to Westgate in Glendale

Annexation near Loop 303 on radar for Glendale

Glendale and landowners' vision for annexing land near Loop 303, which was a hot topic in the boom but fell off the radar in the recession, is bubbling up again.

A plan should soon go before the City Council for review.

A group of landowners and city staff are working on a proposal to bring water and sewer infrastructure to the area, which the city strip-annexed decades ago, without financially burdening current residents.

Read more: Annexation near Loop 303 on radar for Glendale

Annexation near Loop 303 on radar for Glendale

Glendale and landowners' vision for annexing land near Loop 303, which was a hot topic in the boom but fell off the radar in the recession, is bubbling up again.

A plan should soon go before the City Council for review.

A group of landowners and city staff are working on a proposal to bring water and sewer infrastructure to the area, which the city strip-annexed decades ago, without financially burdening current residents.

Read more: Annexation near Loop 303 on radar for Glendale

Area's home market hot - USATODAY.com

Javier Vidana is only 19. But with his investor father's cash, he was ready to make an offer on a three-bedroom, 2½ bath home in Peoria on Thursday.

"I love it already," said Vidana, who rents a room in a Phoenix house. "I don't want to be living in a little room anymore."

His real-estate agent, Jesse Abarca, said Vidana and his father will have to be ready to make a solid cash offer literally the hour the house hits the market. Even then, they could get outbid.

"The game is to get an offer in as soon as possible to avoid the other bidders," said Abarca, who works for Re/Max Professionals in Glendale.

For real-estate agents, homebuyers and especially homesellers, the West Valley is burning up, especially for homes less than $150,000.

"The West Valley is really, really a hot market," said Chris Heagerty, director of the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc.

That heat is strongest in the market for homes of $100,000 to $150,000, forcing new buyers to move to higher ranges.

The sellers of the small, empty house Vidana has his eye on are aiming it at the hottest part of the investor's market -- homes from $110,000 to $130,000.

Distressed properties, those houses owned by people facing foreclosure or short sales, still make up the bulk of sales. But ARMLS statistics show they have decreased in metro Phoenix to about 43 percent in May. That's a drop compared with their high-water mark in September 2010, when distressed properties made up 74 percent of homes sold.

An equally significant number is the ratio of short sales -- in which a home sells for less than is owed on its mortgage -- to foreclosure. ARMLS statistics show that metro Phoenix had 2,245 short sales in May compared with 1,423 foreclosures. Short sales increased that month by 5.5 percent over April figures, while foreclosures decreased by 1.9 percent.

By Lesley Wright, The Republic|azcentral.com Jun 16, 2012



Area's home market hot - USATODAY.com

Area's home market hot - USATODAY.com

Javier Vidana is only 19. But with his investor father's cash, he was ready to make an offer on a three-bedroom, 2½ bath home in Peoria on Thursday.

"I love it already," said Vidana, who rents a room in a Phoenix house. "I don't want to be living in a little room anymore."

His real-estate agent, Jesse Abarca, said Vidana and his father will have to be ready to make a solid cash offer literally the hour the house hits the market. Even then, they could get outbid.

"The game is to get an offer in as soon as possible to avoid the other bidders," said Abarca, who works for Re/Max Professionals in Glendale.

For real-estate agents, homebuyers and especially homesellers, the West Valley is burning up, especially for homes less than $150,000.

"The West Valley is really, really a hot market," said Chris Heagerty, director of the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc.

That heat is strongest in the market for homes of $100,000 to $150,000, forcing new buyers to move to higher ranges.

The sellers of the small, empty house Vidana has his eye on are aiming it at the hottest part of the investor's market -- homes from $110,000 to $130,000.

Distressed properties, those houses owned by people facing foreclosure or short sales, still make up the bulk of sales. But ARMLS statistics show they have decreased in metro Phoenix to about 43 percent in May. That's a drop compared with their high-water mark in September 2010, when distressed properties made up 74 percent of homes sold.

An equally significant number is the ratio of short sales -- in which a home sells for less than is owed on its mortgage -- to foreclosure. ARMLS statistics show that metro Phoenix had 2,245 short sales in May compared with 1,423 foreclosures. Short sales increased that month by 5.5 percent over April figures, while foreclosures decreased by 1.9 percent.

By Lesley Wright, The Republic|azcentral.com Jun 16, 2012



Area's home market hot - USATODAY.com

Area's home market hot - USATODAY.com

Javier Vidana is only 19. But with his investor father's cash, he was ready to make an offer on a three-bedroom, 2½ bath home in Peoria on Thursday.

"I love it already," said Vidana, who rents a room in a Phoenix house. "I don't want to be living in a little room anymore."

His real-estate agent, Jesse Abarca, said Vidana and his father will have to be ready to make a solid cash offer literally the hour the house hits the market. Even then, they could get outbid.

"The game is to get an offer in as soon as possible to avoid the other bidders," said Abarca, who works for Re/Max Professionals in Glendale.

For real-estate agents, homebuyers and especially homesellers, the West Valley is burning up, especially for homes less than $150,000.

"The West Valley is really, really a hot market," said Chris Heagerty, director of the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc.

That heat is strongest in the market for homes of $100,000 to $150,000, forcing new buyers to move to higher ranges.

The sellers of the small, empty house Vidana has his eye on are aiming it at the hottest part of the investor's market -- homes from $110,000 to $130,000.

Distressed properties, those houses owned by people facing foreclosure or short sales, still make up the bulk of sales. But ARMLS statistics show they have decreased in metro Phoenix to about 43 percent in May. That's a drop compared with their high-water mark in September 2010, when distressed properties made up 74 percent of homes sold.

An equally significant number is the ratio of short sales -- in which a home sells for less than is owed on its mortgage -- to foreclosure. ARMLS statistics show that metro Phoenix had 2,245 short sales in May compared with 1,423 foreclosures. Short sales increased that month by 5.5 percent over April figures, while foreclosures decreased by 1.9 percent.

By Lesley Wright, The Republic|azcentral.com Jun 16, 2012



Area's home market hot - USATODAY.com

Area's home market hot - USATODAY.com

Javier Vidana is only 19. But with his investor father's cash, he was ready to make an offer on a three-bedroom, 2½ bath home in Peoria on Thursday.

"I love it already," said Vidana, who rents a room in a Phoenix house. "I don't want to be living in a little room anymore."

His real-estate agent, Jesse Abarca, said Vidana and his father will have to be ready to make a solid cash offer literally the hour the house hits the market. Even then, they could get outbid.

"The game is to get an offer in as soon as possible to avoid the other bidders," said Abarca, who works for Re/Max Professionals in Glendale.

For real-estate agents, homebuyers and especially homesellers, the West Valley is burning up, especially for homes less than $150,000.

"The West Valley is really, really a hot market," said Chris Heagerty, director of the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc.

That heat is strongest in the market for homes of $100,000 to $150,000, forcing new buyers to move to higher ranges.

The sellers of the small, empty house Vidana has his eye on are aiming it at the hottest part of the investor's market -- homes from $110,000 to $130,000.

Distressed properties, those houses owned by people facing foreclosure or short sales, still make up the bulk of sales. But ARMLS statistics show they have decreased in metro Phoenix to about 43 percent in May. That's a drop compared with their high-water mark in September 2010, when distressed properties made up 74 percent of homes sold.

An equally significant number is the ratio of short sales -- in which a home sells for less than is owed on its mortgage -- to foreclosure. ARMLS statistics show that metro Phoenix had 2,245 short sales in May compared with 1,423 foreclosures. Short sales increased that month by 5.5 percent over April figures, while foreclosures decreased by 1.9 percent.

By Lesley Wright, The Republic|azcentral.com Jun 16, 2012



Area's home market hot - USATODAY.com

Big projects boost West Valley

When executives with Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. were scouting metro Phoenix last fall, they found their target site in Glendale's Westgate City Center. It had a lot going for it.

The 38-acre site bumped against Loop 101. Nearby sports stadiums would draw in potential shoppers. Best of all was the speed with which the deal could be done.

"We felt the city was going to be cooperative," said Tom McDonough, Tanger's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "In general, this went quicker than most."

Those are all factors that have helped West Valley cities rebound from the economic recession.

Major projects set for Surprise, Peoria, Glendale and the Southwest Valley could take off as the state continues to improve Loop 303 and make large pieces of the West Valley more accessible.

Barry Broome, president and chief executive of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, noted in a recent talk that the West Valley consistently delivers large business sites.

Broome said companies planning to build or relocate make side-by-side comparisons of cities and states. Such factors as taxes, real-estate and operating costs, infrastructure, incentives and workforce all come into play. Often, the prospective cities are unaware that they are in the running, giving them incentive to streamline bureaucracies.

"All your hard work is paying off," said Broome, who added that he was aware of two Chinese companies surveying the West Valley. "If somebody is looking for 150 to 200 acres, the West Valley is the only place."

Speed was a factor with the Glendale location of the Tanger Outlet Mall, which is under construction and expected to open for the holiday season. City officials did not offer any financial incentives, but they did use an expedited two-day planning process called a "design review charette," according to Jon Froke, Glendale's planning director.

by Lesley Wright - May. 25, 2012 05:17 PM The Republic | azcentral.com





Big projects boost West Valley

Big projects boost West Valley

When executives with Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. were scouting metro Phoenix last fall, they found their target site in Glendale's Westgate City Center. It had a lot going for it.

The 38-acre site bumped against Loop 101. Nearby sports stadiums would draw in potential shoppers. Best of all was the speed with which the deal could be done.

"We felt the city was going to be cooperative," said Tom McDonough, Tanger's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "In general, this went quicker than most."

Those are all factors that have helped West Valley cities rebound from the economic recession.

Major projects set for Surprise, Peoria, Glendale and the Southwest Valley could take off as the state continues to improve Loop 303 and make large pieces of the West Valley more accessible.

Barry Broome, president and chief executive of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, noted in a recent talk that the West Valley consistently delivers large business sites.

Broome said companies planning to build or relocate make side-by-side comparisons of cities and states. Such factors as taxes, real-estate and operating costs, infrastructure, incentives and workforce all come into play. Often, the prospective cities are unaware that they are in the running, giving them incentive to streamline bureaucracies.

"All your hard work is paying off," said Broome, who added that he was aware of two Chinese companies surveying the West Valley. "If somebody is looking for 150 to 200 acres, the West Valley is the only place."

Speed was a factor with the Glendale location of the Tanger Outlet Mall, which is under construction and expected to open for the holiday season. City officials did not offer any financial incentives, but they did use an expedited two-day planning process called a "design review charette," according to Jon Froke, Glendale's planning director.

by Lesley Wright - May. 25, 2012 05:17 PM The Republic | azcentral.com





Big projects boost West Valley

Big projects boost West Valley

When executives with Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. were scouting metro Phoenix last fall, they found their target site in Glendale's Westgate City Center. It had a lot going for it.

The 38-acre site bumped against Loop 101. Nearby sports stadiums would draw in potential shoppers. Best of all was the speed with which the deal could be done.

"We felt the city was going to be cooperative," said Tom McDonough, Tanger's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "In general, this went quicker than most."

Those are all factors that have helped West Valley cities rebound from the economic recession.

Major projects set for Surprise, Peoria, Glendale and the Southwest Valley could take off as the state continues to improve Loop 303 and make large pieces of the West Valley more accessible.

Barry Broome, president and chief executive of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, noted in a recent talk that the West Valley consistently delivers large business sites.

Broome said companies planning to build or relocate make side-by-side comparisons of cities and states. Such factors as taxes, real-estate and operating costs, infrastructure, incentives and workforce all come into play. Often, the prospective cities are unaware that they are in the running, giving them incentive to streamline bureaucracies.

"All your hard work is paying off," said Broome, who added that he was aware of two Chinese companies surveying the West Valley. "If somebody is looking for 150 to 200 acres, the West Valley is the only place."

Speed was a factor with the Glendale location of the Tanger Outlet Mall, which is under construction and expected to open for the holiday season. City officials did not offer any financial incentives, but they did use an expedited two-day planning process called a "design review charette," according to Jon Froke, Glendale's planning director.

by Lesley Wright - May. 25, 2012 05:17 PM The Republic | azcentral.com





Big projects boost West Valley