Voters Approve Bonds for Construction

Arizona voters passed two key bond proposals with the approval of a sales tax extension to fund $16.8 billion in road work and $951 million for community colleges.

The yes vote on 400 allowed the state to continue gathering a half-cent sales tax started in 1986 for the construction of new freeways. The 20-year extension is expected to fund new freeways, light rail and improved bus routes.

Proposition 401 will give the Maricopa Community College District $951 million for construction at campuses across Maricopa County. The bonds will be repaid through a slight rise in property taxes.

Holder Renovating Motorola Plant

Holder was selected to complete interior renovations of the Motorola Tempe Diablo Campus.

The 376,000-sq.-ft. campus comprises five interconnected buildings built between 1980 and 1997. The $6 million project includes 225,000 sq. ft. of renovation to create a more open floor plan, new lab and manufacturing space allocations, construction of a new interior lobby and exterior courtyard, and upgrades to security systems. Renovation will be complete by June 2005.

New "Green" School Planned

Architects at The Orcutt/Winslow Partnership have designed the new 86,000-sq.-ft. Pendergast Elementary School #12. The $7.6 million project is a K-8 students-first project funded by the Arizona School Facilities Board and is envisioned as being the first green school in the Valley.

Construction begins in April 2005, and the school is expected to open in June 2006.

The construction manager at risk is Jim O'Connor Construction.

Retail Work Starts on Bell Road

Weitz Company recently announced that the company has begun construction on Phase III of Surprise Marketplace, located on the southwest corner of Bell Road and Grand Avenue.

Phase III is the final phase of a 450,000 square foot power center anchored by Target and Lowes. This particular section will entail 55,500 square feet of retail space.

Butler Design Group continues as the architect for Surprise Marketplace and CC & G Strategic Investments, L.C. is the property owner and manager. The budget on this project is $3.7 million with construction scheduled for completion by February 2005.

Ground Breaks on New Service Center

Wespac Construction Inc. recently broke ground on Glenrosa Service Center, a 21,933-sq.-ft. City of Phoenix service and maintenance facility. Glenrosa Service Center is a City pilot LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.

Designed by Williams + Paddon Architects, a Phoenix-based architectural firm that specializes in the design of high-performance, sustainable building.

Green Ideas Environmental Building Consultants are advising the building team on L.E.E.D. construction. Glenrosa Service Center provides administrative and maintenance facilities for the following City of Phoenix departments: Streets, Solid Waste, Parks and Recreation, Utility Inspection and Sign Fabrication. The new 21,933-sq.-ft. facility will house staff from the Parks Department and Development Services Department.