Phoenix Sky Harbor Receives Federal Approval for Expansion Projects

Terminal 2 Replacement Approved for Sky Harbor

Phoenix Sky Harbor received Federal approval to proceed with an airport enhancement program to help keep pace with demand. Ultimately all projects will need to be approved by the Phoenix City Council. Some of the key projects in the newly approved program include Terminal 2 demolition and replacement with a new, 33-gate West Terminal, a second stage automated people mover, re-alignment of Sky Harbor Boulevard, and improvements to the Terminal 4 international concourse. The first stage of the people mover has already been previously approved, which will carry passengers from the east economy garage and to Terminals 4 and 3. This new approval allows for connection to the Phoenix light rail and a continuation from Terminal 3 to the new West Terminal and the rental car center. Sky Harbor Boulevard will be modified on the west side of the airport to provide access to the new West Terminal and improve overall traffic flow at the airport. The new West Terminal will accommodate most international flights while modifications will be made to the Terminal 4 international concourse to improve efficiency.

U of A McClelland Park Celebrates Groundbreaking

As a part of the University of Arizona's Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences expansion, SmithGroup is designing McClelland Park, a 70,000-sq.-ft. facility that will accommodate classrooms, teaching, administrative and faculty offices and research space. The facility is envisioned to be an icon for the Norton School, reflecting its multicultural identity and diversity as a welcoming place for families, business and community members, faculty and students.

The facility was designed to be a respectful neighbor to the adjacent historic core buildings, while simultaneously creating a public presence on the university's science concourse. A distinguishing element of the project is the family plaza, which has been conceived as the school's civic living room. >> This shaded plaza is designed for formal and informal gatherings creating an amenity for the school and the entire campus.

Hensel Phelps Construction Company is the general contractor for the project. It is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2008.

Hotel Indigo Coming to Downtown Scottsdale

Everest Holdings has acquired the Hampton Inn near Scottsdale and Camelback roads in downtown Scottsdale. The property will be renovated into a fashion-forward boutique concept called Hotel Indigo, recently developed and being introduced worldwide by InterContinental Hotels Group. Mesa West Capital provided acquisition and construction debt financing and CB Richard Ellis brokered the transaction. The property will open for business in early December.

Everest is investing approximately $17 million in the purchase and renovation of the 126-room property, which will take approximately four to six months to complete. Hotel Indigo is unique in its approach to bring nature inside urban spaces, creating a rejuvenating experience for hotel guests. Furnishings, art and a highly developed graphics-based interiors program stylishly produce a calming and inviting environment for guests. Guestrooms will feature renewable elements such as vivid murals, area rugs, plush duvets and slip covers that will change periodically. Public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing artwork, foliage, murals and directional signage.

McCarthy to Build Phoenix Water Treatment Plant

McCarthy was recently awarded a $120 million contract to reconstruct a city of Phoenix water treatment plant. The project is the reconstruction of the Deer Valley Water Treatment Plant East Treatment Basins, located at 3030 W. Dunlap Ave. The plant currently treats 75 million gallons of water per day, and the city is replacing it with a new 100 MGD facility.

In addition to this most recent project, McCarthy is currently constructing the Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant in the East Valley and the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant in northwest Phoenix.

The first phase of Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant - the largest design-build-operate project in North America - is scheduled to be online in spring 2007. The $336 million project will provide enough water to supply 400,000 households in the growing northwest Phoenix area.

The Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant in Gilbert will treat wastewater for the city of Mesa, and towns of Gilbert and Queen Creek. The $145 million project is a joint venture with Sundt Construction and is anticipated to be operational by the summer of 2007.

Sundt to Update History in the Valley

Sundt Construction, Inc. is giving a fresh look, and expanded facilities, to a piece of Phoenix history with the demolition and renovation of the historic Arizona Country Club, located at 5668 E. Orange Blossom Lane in Phoenix.

Sundt's crews will replace the 60-year-old clubhouse with a modern 60,000-sq.-ft., one and two-level structure. They will also construct a porte cochere which will serve as the main entrance. Other features of the new clubhouse include a 3,000-sq.-ft. fitness center, day spa, dining, wine display, luxury men's and women's locker rooms, golf shop and extensive outdoor patios, a courtyard and cart storage facilities. The Country Club will remain open during construction, and limited dining will also be available. The $13 million project was designed by Douglas Fredrikson Architects and is scheduled for completion in spring 2007.