 Let's talk about two different corners in Downtown Phoenix that have been slated for redevelopment in the coming years. The first we have mostly known about since the development plan for Margaret T. Hance Park was publicly released back in 2015, but the City has released new details on improvements to be made to the park and its surrounding area. The 32-acre park, built in 1992, is home to both the Burton Barr Central Library and Phoenix Center for the Arts. On First Street on the south side of Hance Park sits Fire Station #4, one of the original 13 fire houses in the Valley. The property is still owned by the city but has been vacant for some time. The updated to the revitalization plan includes the former fire station being transformed into a restaurant with a food truck area and cafe. Parks Director Inger Erickson provided an update on the Hance Park revitalization plan, saying, "We’re really pushing hard to activate the firehouse”. Over the next several weeks, Erickson said the city will solicit for people to turn the city-owned structure into a full-service restaurant. The historic firehouse restaurant is intended to be the new hub and center of redevelopment for the eastern portion of the park, near the Central Ave bridge. Erickson said a fundraising campaign will begin in March. The three-phase project is expected to cost around $100 million. So far, the city has committed $15 million.  The working plan is broken up into three sections, dubbed the Valley, the Canyon, and the Plateau. Each was part of the 2016 plan, but the details have evolved. The Canyon is located in the center of the site, over the I-10 freeway (hence the "Deck" nickname). The Valley is to the west, near the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Irish Cultural Center. The Plateau is to the east, home to the library and arts center. The fire house is located in The Canyon portion of the project which is also slated for, at this point, an interactive water feature, amphitheater, jogging loop, skate park, and garden. Judy Weiss, Deputy Director for management services with the city’s parks and recreation department has said, in regards to timeline, “We could start at the end of 2019, depending on how our funding partners do. If there’s a lot of momentum, we’ll finish the project faster." The city is working with Hargreaves Associates to finesse the plan, based on community input. People who didn’t attend the May 21 open house can still weigh in online.  Photo: Lynn Trimble
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Are you new to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area? Are you visiting for the winter or planning a trip? Or are you just looking for the perfect course at the right price for the end of this season? Look no further! Scottsdale is home to some of the most popular golf courses in the country. Use this handy chart hand crafted by Andrew to start your search for your ideal golf experience.
Before you book your trip to Arizona make your reservation to play one of these top rated golf clubs. If you are considering purchasing a golf home, I am the right REALTOR® for you! Andrew Starkman is an experienced REALTOR® who can help you with any golf properties in Scottsdale.
Situated at 440 E. Van Buren St., a one-acre parcel within the 16-acre Arizona Center is slated for the construction of a $100 million 31-story residential building, Phoenix's second tallest. Palm Court Tower is set to feature 350 luxury units, ranging from 500-square-foot studios to 1,300-square-foot three-bedroom apartments on top of a six-story parking garage. This new Will Bruder Architects designed building will join the $25M renovation currently underway at Downtown's Arizona Center.
The downtown location provides immediate access to the some of Phoenix's largest employers, along with sporting venues, upscale bars, restaurants and shopping destinations. The Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, ASU Center for Law and Society, and University of Arizona College of Medicine are all just blocks from Arizona Center.
The new tower will provide housing options for a large group of Arizona's workforce that seek living options closer to Downtown's expanding landscape. As reported by Elon Graves of Downtown Devil:
"Chris Chamberlain, a partner of North American Development Group, said the downtown Phoenix community pushed for the workforce housing units. He said the topic “repeatedly came up as a need in downtown” during discussions with city staff, council members and activists in the neighborhood. Workforce housing provides affordable housing for households with annual incomes between approximately $39,000 and $59,000, according to Phoenix’s Economic Development Department. Typically, these households earn a combined income that is inadequate considering the cost of living in areas near their place of work. In total, 35 of the 350 apartment units in Palm Court Tower will be classified as workforce housing. The price of the units will range from $1,000 to $1,200 and the sizes will vary in respect to income level." Construction at Palm Court Tower will also begin later this year and the estimated time of completion is late 2020. When, Where & How?
Use the tool below to find your polling place! Polls are open 6AM - 7PM on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 
WHAT IS THE GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 6?
The November 6 General Election is a regular election where voters determine who is elected to office, which statewide propositions will become law and which judges and justices will be retained. All registered voters can participate in the general election. WHY IS VOTING IN THE GENERAL ELECTION IMPORTANT? Voting in a general election is important because it allows voters to select the candidate they wish to represent them in office. Statewide offices have a term of four years, so the elected candidates will be in office until the year 2022. Legislative offices have a term of two years, so the elected candidates will be in office until the year 2020.
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As we approach the third decade of the millennium, the neighborhoods of Central Phoenix are beginning to resurge as community hubs and destinations for foodies and families alike. Check out 5 CenPho neighborhoods that will be worth the investment.  Garfield Trending Up: Artsy appeal, campus proximity, coffee & foodie destination The statue of a phoenix at Roosevelt and 13th streets proclaims “Garfield Rising.” After booms in the Willo and Coronado historic districts, Garfield is beginning to emerge. With artsy attractions such as Alwun House, Welcome Diner and Sundown Arts Gallery, and thanks to its proximity to Downtown, “the Eastlake-Garfield neighborhoods are nicely situated for becoming cool,” says Reinvent PHX’s Katherine Coles. With the 100-year-old properties being bought, remodeled and re-delivered to the public by developers like Trellis, Temac and "mom-and-pop" local residents, Garfield is seeing a new type of neighbor emerge. The recent delivery of luxury apartments, 11 Capital Place and 12 Capital Place, as well as the Roosevelt Row renaissance, have brought a resurgence of ASU students to the immediate area. In the next two years, a flock of job-creating developments in the area – ASU’s Arizona Center for Law and Society, U of A’s Cancer Center and Biosciences Partnership Building – could help Garfield take off even further. Local Attractions:
 "The Triangle" - Grand Ave Trending Up: Hip housing, cool cafes, historic vibes This urban pocket bounded by Roosevelt Street, Grand Avenue and Seventh Avenue has seen the beginning of its renaissance in the past 3 years with no plans to slow down heading into 2020. The hip hypotenuse, Grand Avenue, got spruced up with green bike lanes and Grid Bike Share spots. But it’s the "Containers on Grand" apartments that have locals talking. Fashioned from shipping containers, these edgy studios bring a futuristic feel to the historic 'hood. Meanwhile, Eighth Avenue is seeing traditional-style new builds go up routinely with White Stone Studios’ Danish-style homes being featured in Dwell magazine, and the upcoming Center 8 Townhomes bringing modern luxury to the area. “This area contains both charm and great stories of its past. The neighborhood’s small size also allows for these stories to be told and there’s easy communication between property owners, residents, business owners and developers.” - Local Resident, Kara Carwell Local Attractions:
 Sunnyslope Trending Up: Views of downtown, mountainside living, hiking & outdoor activity With commuting getting more expensive every day, working and living along the light rail makes sense for a lot of the central Valley's residents. With expansion of the light rail to reach Dunlap, in the near future, the breach of Sunnyslope will be a quick ride to the central corridor, Tempe, and Mesa. Residents live at the base of North Mountain, with the area extending about 2 miles west of the mountain. Homes here have stunning city & mountain views for a median price under $300,000. A few blocks to Dreamy Draw, Piestewa Peak, and Phoenix Mountain Preserve means easy access to mountain biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Local Attractions:
 Central City South (WHD) Trending Up: Downtown proximity, Venues & Stadiums, Warehouse District Cross over the Union Pacific railroad tracks and you'll find yourself in the (soon-to-be) tech hub of Downtown Phoenix. Central City South, home to the Warehouse District, has seen an influx of industry as historic warehouse buildings are being converted to support high-volume tech & healthcare companies and their sprawling campuses by companies like WebPT & Galvanize. Just blocks where the Suns and Diamondbacks play, the district is attracting an eclectic collection of office spaces, restaurants, galleries and one-of-a-kind venues for music and events. With luxury complexes like Symphony & Henson Village, you would not believe that you were on the south side of the tracks. New housing will open soon. JMA Ventures, a real estate investment firm, will break ground this spring on a 276-unit apartment complex. The project will cost $60 - $80 million and feature a rooftop pool and glass co-working spaces. With downtown living costs inflating and a plethora of attractive, historic, homes available in the neighborhood, there should be a lot of new demand for these areas. Local Attractions:
 South of Camelback East
Trending Up: New restaurants, fix & flips, Arcadia proximity This area, from 20th St to 32nd St between Indian School and Thomas, is beginning to see the outskirts of Arcadia Lite have a heavy influence on the retail, restaurants and residents. With the renovation and new-construction of retail on the both the SE and SW corners of 32nd St & Indian School, this area has seen the addition of health-food restaurants, big box retail, and farmers markets alike. This area encompasses various historic districts including Phoenix Homesteads, famous for its yearly Christmas-light drive down Pinchot Ave. Mature greenery and luscious lawns deck these homes and separate the neighborhoods from the rest of the nearby area. Close proximity to the Biltmore and Arcadia mainstays like LGO & Postino, as well as shopping at Gaslight Square, and a number of grocery shopping options make this part of town desirable but more affordable than the neighboring Arcadia Lite & Camelback East. New luxury apartments such as Park 28, and high-end townhome developments nearby are bringing prices of this neighborhood up almost daily. Local Attractions:
 Park Central Mall has been a staple in Uptown Phoenix since the 1950's. Formerly home to Goldwaters, JC Penny and Dillard's, architects like Welton Becket, Ralph Haver, and John Schotanus Jr had hands in designing the first iteration of the outdoor mall. Recently, the mall has been under construction in an attempt to bring the under-performing complex into the 21st century. Around this time las year rumblings of an $5 billion, 50,000 employee, Amazon campus at Park Central started swirling. This week we've received news of a new health-services project planing on calling Park Central home. The mall is already home to Banner Health Systems - occupying the original Goldwater's, Dignity Health - occupying the original Diamond's, and UnitedHealth Group - occupying the original J.C. Penny's. Park Central has reached an agreement on the construction of a new, nearly $100 million health sciences campus for Creighton University. The new building will be located along Central Avenue on the Park Central property, on land that is currently a parking lot. Phase one of the project includes a new building totaling 200,000 square feet and eventually will house nearly 800 Creighton health sciences students in Arizona. The expansion will include a four-year medical school, nursing school, occupational and physical therapy schools, pharmacy school, physician assistant school and emergency medical services program. [Source.] “For more than a decade, Creighton University has been a key partner in helping Arizona train highly skilled health care professionals,” said Gov. Doug Ducey. “Their significant new expansion and investment will help to meet our state’s growing need for health care professionals in the coming years, and it’s yet one more way that Arizona is solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for excellence in health care." Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams has welcomed Creighton’s expansion in Phoenix saying, “Creighton’s investment in our community will create new jobs and bring new life to a critical property in the heart of midtown Phoenix—but what’s more, it moves us closer to transforming our economy into one rooted in competitive, forward-thinking industries.” “I want Phoenix to be a destination for world-class medical education, research, health care and solutions, and our growing partnership with Creighton University is going to help us get there.”  Among the Top 100 Most Prestigious Private Clubs in America (Golf Connoisseur Magazine), Phoenix Country Club is rooted in its rich history in Midtown Phoenix. Founded in 1900 and opened in October 1921, PCC is about to jump head-first into the future of real estate with its request for rezoning a portion of the property. Meetings and hearings have been set for Rezoning Case No. Z-41-18, which requests a change in zoning for approximately 2.16 acres located at the northeast corner of 7th Street and Thomas Road from Parking P-1 to R-5 Multi-Family and HighRise HR. The area in its current form is a parking lot surrounded by the Club's exterior gate. Sunbelt Holdings have come together with the Club to propose "high-quality condominiums and to redesign and improve the entire Phoenix Country Club parking lot to continue to meet the parking needs of the Phoenix Country Club and to create a shaded, walkable environment along 7th Street." (Source.) Sunbelt Holdings recently completed the largest office project and commercial transaction in Arizona history with its involvement in the Marina Heights project in Tempe. Marina Heights consists of the 5 building State Farm Insurance regional hub and 2 million sq. ft. of office space as well as up to 60,000 sq. ft. of retail space. They are also responsible for Portland on the Park, a residential condominium building located 200 W Portland Street on the southern boundary of Hance Park in Downtown Phoenix. The neighborhoods "between the 7's" and surrounding areas are home to a multitude of high-rise condo buildings, the most recently-built being Crystal Point in 1983, followed by The Regency House in 1964, and Executive Towers in 1963. The Residences at Phoenix Country Club would be the first luxury new-construction high-rise in the immediate area in 25 years. The population growth rate of the Phoenix metro area increased by nearly 4% per year for the past 40 years. The municipal governments in the greater Phoenix region are planning for a population growth of at least two million residents over the next two decades, reaching an estimated population of 6.2 million by 2030. Both long-time and new residents of Phoenix's central city will have a new option for conveniently located living as well as a revitalization of an under-utilized intersection.
From the Residence's website, "We believe that an investment of this magnitude, on an intersection that has struggled to keep business open long term, will revitalize and stabilize the community. Ultimately promoting great improvements in the 7th St corridor including shops, restaurants, and housing." The multifamily high-rise condo project, reaching 164 feet and 15 stories, is facing opposition. "A city staff report issued on September 4 states that a high-rise at the proposed location doesn’t comply with several principles of the General Plan Land Use Map. The staff report includes a list of 18 stipulations that should be followed if the rezoning request is approved. The report also noted that the city received at least 20 letters of opposition from members of the community." (Source.) There are still remaining committee meetings if you are interested in learning more or making sure your voice is heard: Planning Commission Hearing: October 4, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. City of Phoenix Council Chambers 200 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ City Council Hearing: November 7, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. City of Phoenix Council Chambers 200 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ
September 6 marked the final structural concrete pouring ceremony on the building’s top floor. The event was attended by Phoenix Vice Mayor Jim Waring, Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski, Phoenix mayoral candidate Daniel Valenzuela, and Phoenix Director of Community and Economic Development Christine Mackay. “We’re excited to be part of the city’s changing skyline by completing a project that has been almost four years in the making,” affirmed Geoffrey Jacobs, partner at Aspirant. “This is the first high-rise apartment building constructed in downtown Phoenix since the 1950s. That shows you how much Phoenix is changing, and we’re proud to be a part of its evolution.” The Stewart is a pet-friendly property featuring modern studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments for rent, with 24 unique floor plans ranging from 477 to 1,899 square feet. Apartment homes at The Stewart feature distinctive amenities including expansive private balconies, the latest “smart home” options, abundant closet space, front-loading in-home washers and dryers, contemporary custom-wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, under-cabinet lighting, lofty nine- to 11-foot ceilings, and energy-efficient windows. Residents of The Stewart will enjoy access to an on-site concierge, an eighth-floor 24-hour fitness center with open-air sanctuary, gas BBQ grills, entertainment kitchen, bicycle storage and rentals, 24-hour on-demand parcel lockers, resident boardroom, club room lounge and garage parking. The property’s shimmering rooftop pool and spa, the highest in Phoenix, will afford breathtaking city and mountain views while providing residents with a refreshing oasis from desert temperatures. A restaurant will occupy part of the property’s 9,000-square-foot ground floor. Offering residents unparalleled convenience in downtown Phoenix, the building is close to the Phoenix Public Market Cafe and Open-Air Farmers Market, The Churchill, prominent sports venues including Chase Field and Talking Stick Resort Arena, performance venues including Comerica Theatre and Crescent Ballroom, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, museums, galleries, and copious nightlife and dining options. For residents traveling within Phoenix and beyond, the property is a five-minute walk to the light rail station and close to I-10. The Stewart was constructed on the site that formerly housed the Circles Records & Tapes building, and that was originally occupied by The Stewart Motor Company, a Studebaker dealership, in 1947. The upscale apartment building incorporates many architectural details from the original building, including the showroom turntable, where Studebaker cars were displayed and rotated in the semi-circular window. With its blend of historic and modern touches, extensive amenities, and claim to fame as the tallest residential building on Roosevelt Row, The Stewart will provide a distinctive lifestyle experience for discerning residents in the center of dynamic downtown Phoenix. “I’m proud that, in a city known for its sprawl, 450 people will enjoy an amenity-rich living experience at The Stewart on a little over three-quarters of an acre,” stated Randy Grudzinski, a partner at Aspirant. “Our vision for The Stewart is to draw residents who are looking for a unique urban high-rise lifestyle, and we look forward to enhancing the neighborhood and shaping a vibrant community here in the years to come.” Source Central Phoenix is home to the majority of the designated Historic Districts in the Valley. Check out some of my favorite high-rise projects in these highly-desirable neighborhoods. Embassy Condos
Artisan Lofts On Central
Portland on the Park
Landmark Tower
Crystal Point
Orpheum Lofts
One Lexington
Summit at Copper Square
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