New Rooftop Solar Projects for ASU and Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns Solar Panel Project, US Airways Center, Phoenix, Ariz.

The Phoenix Suns, APS and the City of Phoenix plan to install a major solar panel power project at US Airways Center on the fifth level of the parking garage. The system is expected to be operational in 2009.

The 194 kW AC solar energy system will be designed and installed by EI Solutions Inc., and financed and operated by Tioga Energy. The system will utilize 1,125 Suntech panels, will cover approximately 18,000 sq ft and will produce 331,233 kWh each year.

Suntech Power Holdings Co. will also supply 1.6 mW of solar panels to Sun Devil Solar LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrys Energy Services, for its project with Arizona State University. The project will be installed on top of two elevated parking structures in the middle of ASU’s main campus using an innovative tracking system. The solar installations are to be completed by the end of 2008.

The total project size of 1.6 mW makes it one of the largest university installations in the U.S. It will generate more than 3 million kWh annually, the equivalent of 260 households.

ASU has long-term plans to install 7 mW of solar-generating capacity at the Tempe campus as well as other campus locations.

The ASU project team includes SolEquity Inc. of Scottsdale and CarbonFree Technology Inc. of Toronto, ON, as project developers, ViaSol Energy Solutions of Tempe as the prime contractor and ETA Engineering and IronCo Enterprises as subcontractors.

Both projects are partly subsidized through a Renewable Incentive Program implemented by APS.

Macerich and Dillard’s Unveil Future Northeast Valley Shopping Area

Macerich announced plans for the northeast Phoenix future retail development, Palisene, including a one million sq ft, retractable roof-enclosed regional shopping center with Dillard’s signing on as the first of four planned anchors.

Located in northeast Phoenix, the project has an anticipated 2011-2012 shopping center opening. Earlier this year Macerich entered into a partnership with DMB, developers of the adjacent mixed-use development One Scottsdale, and in April acquired the land for Palisene from Arizona’s State Land Department.

The center’s design includes a potential retractable roof with the interior to include concrete sidewalks or pavers in the place of tile, plush landscaping on the interior as well as the exterior and store fronts designed as typical street front shops.

Massive Resort and Conference Center Planned for Mesa

DMB Associates Inc. and Gaylord Entertainment announced an agreement to bring a destination resort and convention center to Mesa Proving Grounds, a 3,200-acre portion of land used currently by General Motors as its desert testing facility located near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

While precise details are not finalized, developers expect the hotel to be the largest in the state.

Westcor is the retail developer on the project. The project will also include a Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course with clubhouse, pro shop and other amenities/facilities. Since purchasing the Proving Grounds from General Motors in December 2006, DMB has worked closely with the City to develop a comprehensive vision and a carefully conceived land plan for the property to transform it from an obsolete, 50-year-old test facility into a destination for tourists and a vibrant urban hub of economic activity.

EMCOR Awarded Mechanical Contract for Children’s Hospital Expansion

University Mechanical & Engineering Contractors Inc., a subsidiary of EMCOR Group Inc. has been awarded the mechanical systems contract for the $588 million expansion project at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

UMEC will install the mechanical systems involved in the expansion of the 759,000-sq-ft, 11-story patient care tower and will be utilizing its preconstruction and design assist services, including full 3D CAD/BIM in connection with the project. The project will include the mechanical systems for the 80,000 sq ft of shell space and new patient rooms on the upper seven floors. UMEC will also be responsible for the installation of mechanical systems for the basement and first four floors, which will consist of diagnostic, treatment and support facilities.

HKS Inc. is the architect and Kitchell Contractors is construction manager. Expected to be complete by 2012, the number of licensed beds will increase from 299 to 632 and the size of the campus will nearly double.

Meadow Valley Awarded $21.8 Million in New Contracts

Meadow Valley Corp. has been awarded a $19.8 million contract with the Arizona Department of Transportation to construct a new interchange on I-17 at Dove Valley in northwest Phoenix. Work on this project, which includes earthwork, structures and paving, is scheduled to begin in December 2008 and to be completed in approximately twelve months. ADOT also awarded Meadow Valley a $1.6 million contract to place rubberized asphaltic concrete on a section of I-17, and a $0.4 million project to repair certain pavement locations on I-17.

RED selects DAVIS as CityScape Phase II Architect

Tempe architecture firm DAVIS has been selected by RED Development as the architect for CityScape Phase II which will include a Palomar Hotel by Kimpton, a residential tower and retail shops at street level.

Phase I is currently under construction and Phase II is scheduled to break ground in early 2009.

Tempe Gateway Goes Vertical

Tempe Gateway, Tempe, Ariz

Opus West Corp. in joint venture with US Airways is now under construction on Tempe Gateway. When completed by early 2009, the new mixed-use project will rise eight stories on 3.5 acres at Mill Ave. and Third St. and provide direct access to Light Rail. The ground floor will offer 25,000 sq ft of dining and retail space below 235,000 sq ft of office space. A 1,000-plus-space above-ground parking garage will support the project.

Tempe Gateway is located on land owned by US Airways and adjacent to the airline’s corporate headquarters. US Airways contributed the site for the project but is not investing capital in the development and has not committed to taking space in the building.

The design by Tempe-based DAVIS includes an appropriate north/south orientation that provides for natural light in 75% of the floor space, coupled with exterior shade structures and construction materials that minimize energy consumption. It will contain high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and high-efficiency, air-cooled HVAC system with full controllability to reduce energy usage while maintaining thermal comfort.

Schuff Reaches Milestone on Glendale Spring Training Facility

Schuff Steel Co. reached a major construction milestone at the Glendale Spring Training Facility, new home of Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. The steel erector placed the last major piece of steel on the project: a pedestrian bridge connecting the skybox with the ticket office. Officials from the cities of Glendale and Phoenix, general contractor Mortenson Construction and project ironworkers helped celebrate the event.

Schuff erected 1,100 tons of steel on the project, which includes a 10,000-seat stadium and 15 different buildings. Other major elements of the project include 3,000 lawn seats, 12 practice fields (four major league and eight minor league), and 118,000 sq ft of major and minor league clubhouses for the Dodgers and the White Sox. There will be enough parking to accommodate over 5,000 vehicles.

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