by Peter Madrid | Nov 6, 2018 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZ. (November 6, 2018) – AZCREW, the leading organization for senior-level executive women in the Metro Phoenix real estate field, presented $10,000 in scholarships to a pair of Arizona State University Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) students.
The scholarship winners – Marjorie Wakefield and Santiago Fajardo – were announced at AZCREW’s annual Black & White Affair, held Oct. 24 at Pubblico Italian Eatery. The event benefits AZCREW’s “MRED Dollars for Scholars” program.
Over the past 8 years, AZCREW has supported MRED students by awarding more than 14 scholarships totaling nearly $40,000.
“This year’s event was a huge success for AZCREW and the MRED program,” said Cindy Winters of Eagle Commercial Realty Services, 2018 AZCREW President. “It was our best attended Black & White Affair event since its inception in 2010 with more than 125 people enjoying a beautiful fall evening. The courtyard of the Crown on 7th was a perfect venue. The featured tasting tables from Pubblico Italian Eatery, Rito’s Mexican Food, Wildflower, and Central Kitchen were a huge hit.
“We are thrilled to support Marjorie and Santiago as they continue their path in commercial real estate. We are excited to continue our partnership with the current MRED class through our UCREW event to be held next spring,” Winters said.
Wakefield, a Scottsdale resident, is Senior Ledger Accountant for Iron Mountain Data Centers. Fajardo, also a Scottsdale resident, is Professional Services Manager (account manager and customer service) for Axon.
Wakefield holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Fajardo holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and French and an MBA.
In nine months, the transdisciplinary W. P. Carey Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program prepares students to lead real estate development projects that are environmentally respectful, socially responsible, and artfully designed. Small class sizes provide opportunities for peer interaction and a number of synthesis projects cover the entire spectrum of development, preparing you for roles throughout the industry.
The MRED program is a transdisciplinary partnership between four highly regarded schools within ASU:
- The W. P. Carey School of Business;
- The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law;
- The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts;
- The Del E. Webb School of Construction.
by Peter Madrid | Nov 5, 2018 | News & Updates
TEMPE, ARIZONA (November 5, 2018) – Terracon, an engineering consulting firm, announced the opening of a West Valley office in Avondale.
Jennifer Tran, P.E., has moved from the Tempe office to the Avondale office. She will continue her role as Senior Project Manager and office lead. Tran’s expertise is in geotechnical and pavement engineering and design.
Marilyn Zenko, NCR group manager, will also move to the Avondale office. Zenko’s expertise is in natural and cultural resources.
Overseeing the Avondale office, 1050 N. Fairway Dr., Building G, Suite 103, will be Brent M. Borchers, P.E., Regional Manager for Terracon and Tempe office Principal.
“We are looking forward to servicing our clients with a presence in the West Valley,” Borchers said. “Not only does our Avondale office bring with it the benefit of being local, but also provides our capabilities and expertise as a national firm.”
Terracon is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm with more than 4,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 140 offices with services available in all 50 states.
Terracon currently ranks 24th on the Engineering News-Record list of Top 500 Design Firms and is ranked No. 1 in Asbestos and Lead Abatement Design.
“In addition to being closer to our West Valley clients and their growth, we simultaneously will be able to enhance some of our employees’ wellbeing by providing an office closer to home,” said Chuck Reynolds, Senior Client Development Manager and Principal.
To learn more about Terracon visit terracon.com/offices/phoenix/
by Peter Madrid | Nov 1, 2018 | News & Updates
TEMPE, ARIZONA (November 1, 2018) – Terracon, an engineering consulting firm, has promoted Derek D. Koller, CHMM, to Tucson Office Manager.
Koller was promoted after serving as Terracon’s Environmental Department Manager in Tucson. He will continue to oversee the Environmental Department while taking on the additional responsibility of managing the office. The Tucson office has been performing environmental, geotechnical, and materials testing services for 25 years and will remain committed to producing quality services.
“We are thrilled that a team member with Derek’s industry experience will be the Tucson Office Manager,” said Brent M. Borchers, P.E., Regional Manager for Terracon and Tempe office principal. “He has been in the industry for the past 12 years and has been with Terracon for five years. His promotion means a lot to Terracon as we continue to grow.”
A resident of Arizona for more than 30 years, Koller began his career as an environmental consultant in 2008 after completing a Brownfields Environmental Workforce Development Training Program through the City of Tucson. He has been in the consulting firm ever since.
Koller earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health, environmental and occupational health track, from the University of Arizona. He graduated magna cum laude. He is currently getting a Masters of Public Health, industrial hygiene, also from UA.
Koller is involved in numerous industry groups including the Southern Arizona Environmental Management Society, member, president, 2015-2016; historian 2016-present; and RCRA Seminar Planning Committee Chair the past three years. He is also a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, American Industrial Hygiene Association, and Southern Arizona Chapter CCIM.
He was recently elected to the Board of Directors for Tucson Clean and Beautiful.
Koller gives back to community by securing grants from the Terracon Foundation, a non-profit partner of Terracon that allows employees to apply for competitive grants on the behalf of organizations in its community. Last year he secured a $5,000 grant for the UA Health Sciences Department to provide stipends to graduate students.
Koller and his wife, Tanya, are the parents to three daughters ages 18, 16, and 9. In his spare time he enjoys reading and lifting weights.
Terracon is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm with more than 4,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 140 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon currently ranks 24th on the Engineering News-Record list of Top 500 Design Firms and is ranked No. 1 in Asbestos and Lead Abatement Design.
To learn more about Terracon’s Tucson office, visit terracon.com/offices/tucson/
by Peter Madrid | Oct 31, 2018 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (October 31, 2018) – NAI Horizon negotiated a long-term lease for Planet Fitness at Estrella Town Center in Phoenix.
With this deal, NAI Horizon has negotiated long-term leases in the past year totaling more than $21 million for Planet Fitness locations across the Valley.
The NAI Horizon retail properties team of Senior Vice Presidents Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega, and Associate Patrick Anthon represented the tenant, United PF TOM LLC of Austin, Texas, in the Phoenix transaction totaling $1.387 million.
“This is a strategic infill location that links three other clubs in the area, giving Planet the best market coverage of any health club,” Gerow said.
The Phoenix Planet Fitness, 7620 W. Lower Buckeye Rd., will occupy 15,750 SF at Estrella Town Center. The developer is working at securing other tenants in the adjacent 13 acres.
The landlord, HH-Estrella, LLC of Phoenix was represented by Tim Westfall of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank.
by Peter Madrid | Oct 31, 2018 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (October 31, 2018) – A trio of Arizona commercial real estate professionals recently earned the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute. The designation was awarded during the organization’s global conference in Chicago.
Sharon Mortenson, CCIM
Kris Holm, CCIM, Vice President SBA Commercial Loan Officer, Stearns Bank, Scottsdale; Sharon Mortenson, CCIM, Arizona Commercial, Prescott; and George Howell, Associate Broker, DBSI, Chandler; each earned the honor.
“The chapter board was honored to attend the pinning ceremony with our new designees,” said Jenette Bennett, CCIM, First Vice President with Kidder Mathews and Vice President of the Central Arizona CCIM Chapter. “Earning the CCIM pin and designation is a distinguished accomplishment. We are looking forward to working alongside these three individuals as the chapter continues to provide this world class education in commercial real estate.”
The trio was among 210 commercial real estate professionals who earned the designation by passing the CCIM Institute’s comprehensive examination, the capstone element in the designation process.
This new group of CCIM designees represents 39 states and Canada.
George Howell, CCIM
To earn the CCIM designation, commercial real estate professionals must complete more than 160 hours of case-study driven education covering topics such as interest-based negotiation, financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, investment analysis, and ethics in commercial investment real estate. Candidates must also compile a portfolio demonstrating the depth of their commercial real estate experience and pass a comprehensive examination.
Learn more about CCIM Institute’s education and designation program at ccim.com.
by Peter Madrid | Oct 31, 2018 | News & Updates
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (November 1, 2018) – CivTech, a consulting engineering firm specializing in traffic engineering, transportation planning, and traffic design, is pleased to announce the addition of Jay Yenerich, P.E., as Director of Design.
Yenerich will be responsible for guiding the design staff of CivTech. He is on the forefront of the Smart City movement and will aid clients navigate this new and emerging technology. He is responsible for business development in the areas of traffic design, ITS, and transit.
Yenerich brings 23 years of industry experience to CivTech, joining the Scottsdale-based firm from Valley Metro where he served as Manager of Capital Development. He is experienced on a wide variety of transit and highway projects including planning, design, and construction of projects.
“Jay brings a new skill to CivTech that can be immediately implemented by our clients to help them stay in front of the emerging technology,” said Dawn Cartier, P.E., PTOE, President/Senior Traffic Engineer of CivTech. “Transportation and traffic technology are the least expensive options to improve how people travel.”
In 5 years at Valley Metro, Yenerich led procurements and negotiated scope and fees for more than $50 million of design and construction work. His experience also includes implementing transit signal priority, ITS design, fiber optic design, corridor and environmental impact studies, construction cost estimation, and intersection, roadway, and freeway interchange design.
Prior to joining Valley Metro, Yenerich served as a consultant for numerous firms including CH2M Hill and Parsons Brinckerhoff. He worked on a variety of highway, transit and ITS projects across the country.
He is involved with industry groups including, ASCE, Transportation & Development Institute, ITE, and America Public Transit Association (APTA).
A native of Wickenburg, Arizona, Yenerich earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Texas-Austin. He is married and the father of three children.
Yenerich volunteers as a youth soccer, football, and basketball coach at his church. He is past president of the Texas Exes Phoenix Chapter. It provides need-based scholarships to Arizona students who wish to attend the University of Texas.
by Peter Madrid | Oct 30, 2018 | News & Updates
TEMPE, ARIZONA (October 31, 2018) ‒ Liv Communities and development partner Rockefeller Group unveiled the newest Liv community October 23 in the vibrant and growing North Phoenix submarket.
Local dignitaries and project team members were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Liv North Valley, located at 31113 N. North Valley Parkway and the extension of the Loop 303 freeway in Phoenix. Liv Goodyear, located at 15361 W. Virginia Ave., near Pebble Creek Parkway, had its ribbon cutting the next day.
Representing a capital investment of more than $100 million, the pair is the seventh and eighth Liv communities completed in Arizona and Michigan. Six of those communities are in Arizona, three of which are in partnership with Rockefeller Group.
“We don’t just build buildings, we design communities where people connect and build meaningful relationships,” said Bill Fettis, Partner, Liv Communities. “Sustainability, technology, wellness, and community form the roadmap for our neighborhoods”
Liv North Valley features 385 units covering 490,000 square feet. Liv Goodyear comprises 326 units covering 400,000 SF. Both communities offer luxury apartments in two- and three-story buildings. Each community maintains 24/7 amenities, including over-sized and well-appointed gyms. Amenities include The Hub (a high-tech clubhouse), Liv Well (on-site personal training and group fitness), indoor and outdoor community entertainment and recreation, saltwater heated pool and spa, and walking paths.
“The Liv brand has been enthusiastically welcomed into the markets where we have built,” said Heidi Arave, Vice President, Liv Multifamily. “The first Liv community, Liv Avenida, was introduced to the Valley in Chandler in 2012 and right away we demonstrated that we deliver on our promise to help people Liv fuller lives.
“Awareness of our brand has grown quickly and we are proud of the reputation we’ve earned. As for our newest developments, we are very happy with the feedback on both communities from our customers and new residents,” Arave said.
According to CoStar, the North Phoenix and West Valley submarkets are a major draw for renters because of the many nearby jobs and they remain relatively affordable. Arave said the demographics of Liv residents range from Millennials to retirees. Luke Air Force Base also provides a strong base of residents at Liv Goodyear, she said.
Jamie Wessels, property manager at Liv Goodyear, said that community has helped bring density and quality to the West Valley city.
“Liv Goodyear has really been welcomed to the West Valley,” Wessels said. “They are grateful for a Class A community with 24-hour amenities. The servicemen and servicewomen at Luke like the flexibility. It has also helped support the existing retail businesses located nearby. The more residents, the more need for goods and services.”
Liv Communities feature a community garden, bark park for resident’s dogs, and sand volleyball court. They are both smoke-free communities. Liv North Valley also offers their residents a playground.
“It takes a great team to take projects like these from vision to reality,” said Daniel Moore, President and CEO of Rockefeller Group. “We’re proud to be partners with the team at Liv in the development of these communities.”
The pool area at Liv Goodyear. (Photo by Carl Schultz).
by Peter Madrid | Oct 30, 2018 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (October 30, 2018) – The $7 million sale of the largest multifamily-zoned land holding in Central Phoenix highlighted recent deals negotiated by NAI Horizon professionals. NAI Horizon Vice President Kim Kristoff represented Sidney M. Rosen as trustee on behalf of a lifetime grouping of partners and trust beneficiaries.
Sale Transactions:
Kim Kristoff negotiated the sale of a 7.01-acre parcel of land, representing the seller, Sidney M. Rosen, Trustee, for $7 million. The property is located at the NEC of 12th Street and Devonshire Ave., Phoenix, AZ. Brian Gausden with Western Retail Advisors represented the buyer, DECO Acquisitions, LLC.
Matt Harper negotiated the sale of a 2,789 SF retail property, representing the buyer, The Chahoud Family Trust, for $375,000. The property is located at 2829 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ. Brad Broyles with AZ Real Estate Options represented the seller, CAB Holding, LLC.
Tom Bean, CCIM, negotiated the sale of 1,239 SF office property, representing the buyer, Iscandar, LLC, for $272,580. The property is located at 1095 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ. David Bean with Commercial Properties, Inc. represented the seller, James J. Lemon as PR for estate of Julie Lemon.
Lease Transactions:
Tyler Smith represented the tenant, Magnus Title Agency, LLC, in a 76-month office lease for 5,150 SF at 2425 S. Stearman Dr., Chandler, AZ. Todd Noel with Colliers International represented the landlord, Stearman, LLC.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the tenant, Luxe Nail Bar, in a 7-year retail lease for 1,360 SF in Scottsdale Quarter, located at 15147 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ. Carol Schillne with CBRE represented the landlord.
Tyler Smith represented both the landlord, HF1-D Phoenix 1706, LLC, and the tenant, SSCW Corporate Office, LLC, in a 63-month lease for 6,448 SF at 1830 N. 95th Ave., Phoenix, AZ.
Tyler Smith represented both the landlord, Pacifica Palm Valley Center, L.P., and the tenant, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, in a 60-month lease for 2,738 SF at 1626 N. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the landlord, Glendale Center, LLC, in a 120-month land lease for 990 SF at 5080 W. Olive Avenue, Glendale, AZ. Tim Hurlery with JLL represented the tenant, USAA Federal Savings Bank.
Tyler Smith represented the tenant, Millenium Title Agency, LLC, in a 76-month office lease for 1,191 SF at 2425 S. Stearman Dr., Chandler, AZ. Todd Noel with Colliers International represented the landlord, Stearman, LLC.
Stan Matzinger and Tom Bean, CCIM, represented the landlord, 10240 Bell Road Associates, LLC, in a 48-month office lease for 2,806 SF at 10240 W. Bell Rd., Sun City, AZ.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the tenant, Squeezed Arizona, LLC, in a 60-month retail lease for 1,600 SF at 14891 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ. Michael Achtman with ORION Investment Real Estate represented the landlord, Northsight Scottsdale Crossing, LLC.
Isy Sonabend represented the landlord, Grimco, Inc., in a 35-month industrial lease for 5,016 SF at 23910 N. 19th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the tenant, Total Tractor, LLC.
Chris Gerow, Shelby Tworek, Gabe Ortega and Patrick Anthon represented the landlord, New Bell Tower, LLC, in a 60-month retail lease for 1,080 SF at 4915 W. Bell Rd., Phoenix, AZ.
Matt Harper represented the landlord, Yee Legacy II, LLC, in a 60-month retail lease for 1,152 SF at 18914 E. San Tan Blvd., Queen Creek, AZ.
Matt Harper represented the landlord, Elmo Tari Trust, in a 60-month retail lease for 1,335 SF at 12235 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.
by Peter Madrid | Oct 29, 2018 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (October 29, 2018) – NAI Horizon continues to grow its Phoenix office with the hiring of Antonio Carmona as Research and Marketing Specialist.
Carmona will assist NAI Horizon’s marketing and research department, retrieving, organizing, and analyzing market, demographic, and property-specific data. He will also assist in compiling marketing materials for current and prospective transactions.
Carmona, a recent graduate from the University of Arizona in Tucson, participated in a summer internship with Kowalski Construction, a Phoenix-based general contractor. He also served an internship in the marketing department at Robert Porter Construction in Phoenix. Carmona earned a BA in economics with a minor in mathematics from UA.
“I am happy to add Antonino to our team,” said Terry Martin-Denning, CEO and Designated Broker of NAI Horizon. “He is a bright young man who will help us continue to provide the best resources possible for our agents.”
Carmona is a native of the Northern Mexican state of Durango. During his time at UA he volunteered with the Community Food Bank.
Carmona is a boxing enthusiast and enjoys spending time with his family.
by Peter Madrid | Oct 24, 2018 | News & Updates
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (October 24, 2018) – Construction of the Great Wolf Lodge Arizona, the first indoor water park in the state, utilized tilt-up construction to build the water slide tower, unlike many of the other Great Wolf Lodges across the nation.
Tilt-up construction creates a faster and safer process for workers and has enabled the project to move forward efficiently from concept to operation. Recently, the first slide tower frame panels were lifted into place as the project continues on schedule toward an August 2019 completion date.
Mortenson is working with Suntec Concrete, Gensler, and the erection engineer to utilize this innovative construction method – in lieu of cast-in place construction – as it has been done on previous Great Wolf Lodge projects. Great Wolf Lodge Arizona will be located at 7333 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale.
“The use of tilt-up construction yields a number of benefits to the project and owner, including time and cost savings, increased quality, and most importantly the reduced risk of injury,” said Brad Hughes, Mortenson’s project manager on the Great Wolf Lodge Arizona project.
By using the tilt up panel construction method, the project team was able to sequence the schedule in a manner that allowed work in multiple areas on site by multiple crews, which has maximized efficiency and site usage.
“Tilting these frames has eliminated hundreds of man hours working at heights and allowed us to move the work to the ground where it’s much safer, efficient and easier to control quality,” Hughes said. “We are always looking for a better way to do something, so when we started talking about this method, we knew we had to do it.”
Tilt-up construction is a process by which a concrete panel is formed, reinforced, and cast horizontally on the ground. Once cured, the panels are lifted with a crane and set on a foundation, creating the shell of a building or structure, piece by piece.
Tilt-up construction is a proven method for large, non-residential facilities such as office buildings, retail centers, and warehouses. It remains a strong choice for safer delivery, large structures, flexible designs, and aggressive schedules. It’s application in the construction of the Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is ideal.
Weighing in at a more than 365,000 pounds and measuring more than 78 feet high and nearly 63 feet wide, the tilt-up panel frame will serve as the backbone to the water slide tower.
For more information on the lift and details into the partnership between Mortenson and Suntec, please visit this link.
Tilt-up construction creates a faster and safer process for workers and has enabled Great Wolf Lodge Arizona to move forward efficiently from concept to operation.
