Tempe Adding to Skyline

Tower Slated for Tempe

Avenue Communities, LLC, which designs and develops innovative urban living communities recently broke ground on it's newest endeavor, Centerpoint Condominiums, in Tempe. A presentation and groundbreaking ceremony took place highlighting the mixed-use development's four, 22-story buildings, which will be the tallest buildings in Tempe.

The project will take shape over the next 22 to 24 months, when the first phase is projected to be completed. The first phase will include several distinctive features - among them a 23,150-sq.-ft. public plaza, including a big screen television on the main street level for public and community programming, multi-level parking with 1,976 spaces, as well as a 13,657-sq.-ft. gourmet-café grocery that will encompass the majority of the first floor.

Phase one will also include the construction of 176 condominium residences, with floorplans ranging from innovative studio-style plans averaging just under 500 sq. ft., to three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bath homes with over 2,800 square feet of living space. Prices will range from the $250s to more than $2 million.

A penthouse level featuring four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths will adorn the entire twenty-second floor. This remarkable top-floor residence will be surrounded by 2,500 sq. ft. of private outdoor leisure area, complete with a swimming pool, spa and unlimited, exclusive views of the Valley.

Upon project completion, Centerpoint Condominiums will comprise more than 775 condominium homes. Centerpoint Condominiums is located on approximately five acres, bordered by Ash Avenue to the west, Maple Avenue to the east, Fifth Street to the north and Centerpoint Plaza to the south in Tempe.

Congested Road to See Work

One of Pinal County's most congested roads is being widened to accommodate development in the area. Sundt Construction, Inc., has begun work on the first of four phases that will eventually widen 17.5 miles of Ironwood Drive/Gantzel Road, from the Superstition Freeway south to Hunt Highway in the San Tan/Johnson Ranch area.

The entire project has an estimated design and construction cost of $60 million and includes a four-lane roadway with median, signalized intersections, a new storm drain system, extensive utility work, curb/gutter and sidewalks, and a new vehicle bridge that will span the Central Arizona Project Canal. Completion of the final phase is expected in 2007. Construction Manager at Risk contract is valued at $6.5 million and will be completed in the early part of 2006. Sundt's client is the Pinal County Department of Public Works. The design engineer is Kimley-Horn and Associates.

Firm Lands Car Dealership

Summit Builders was awarded the construction contact for the new Peoria Acura dealership, located at 91st Avenue and Bell Road in Peoria, for Automotive Investment Group of Phoenix.

The new automotive dealership will consist of a 32,000 square foot showroom/service area with 14 service bays. The project also includes a 30,000 square foot collision center. Summit Builders will break ground early 4th quarter, 2005 with a 7-month construction schedule. John Mahoney Architect serves as project architect.

Dealership to Expand

Superstition Springs Toyota at the Superstition Springs Center in Mesa, Ariz., has undertaken an $11.8 million dealership expansion and renovation program. The five-phase construction project is expected to complete in March 2006.

Known for superb customer service, Superstition Springs Toyota has embarked on this impressive project which is focused on enhancing their existing service capacity with the addition of a four-story 226,000-sq.-ft. parking structure and a 17,000-sq.-ft. expansion to their existing sales and service department. Renovations are designed to handle the demand in vehicle sales and service in the fast-growing East Valley.

Construction services are being provided by Johnson Carlier, Inc. Project architect is Barry R. Barcus Architects, Inc.

ROC Offers Online Renewal

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) has introduced online license renewal to provide contractors with a convenient and time-saving service to keep their licenses up to date.

The ROC provides 24-hour online license renewal at www.azroc.gov. The service provides easy-to-follow, on-screen instructions with prompts for users to enter the information needed to renew a license. Renewal fees are collected online, using a major credit card. The web-based system is designed to keep licensees' information secure and confidential. As part of the online renewal process, contractors can also use the system to report workman's compensation compliance and bond level certification. The service also provides an audit trail for tax purposes.