PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA – The Pima County Board of Supervisors today at an emergency meeting took several actions intended to help get better control of the spread of COVID-19 in Pima County.

The actions include:

Further mandating the wearing of masks throughout the county and asking all County jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies to assist in enforcement. The board included a $50 civil fine for failing to adhere to the mask mandate. The board cited success in reducing cases after the board initially made masks mandatory in Pima County during the month of July.

Revised requirements for restaurants and some public pools to allow only one incidence of failure to follow the protection measures before facing repercussions from the Health Department. These repercussions can include suspension of their operating permit depending on the severity of the infractions.

Imposed COVID Compliance deposit for anyone wishing to hold an event with more than 50 people. The deposit fee starts at $1,000 and increases depending on the size of the proposed event. Organizers would be entitled to receive the full deposit back should the mitigation practices in their event plan be fulfilled.

Mandatory reporting to the health department by businesses of employees who notify them of a positive COVID test. In numerous instances, the Health Department has identified outbreaks at businesses only after completing contact-tracing investigations. This action will allow infectious disease investigators to help businesses earlier in an outbreak in order to provide guidance, education, and support to businesses to better protect their staff and the public.

Endorsed the Health Department’s Public Health Advisory issued Dec. 3, calling for numerous voluntary mitigation measures. The Health Advisory measures include:

Continuing the voluntary 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, intended to curb evening social gatherings at bars and parties in order to limit and discourage activities where spreading COVID-19 are much higher and where adherence to strategies like wearing masks and keeping physical distance from others is less likely. Outside of their jobs, people are much more likely to be engaging in social, indoor activities and gathering in groups late in the day. The voluntary curfew is focused on reducing these activities in order to limit the spread of the virus.

After two weeks, the board may use the COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents and percent positivity metrics reported weekly by the Health Department to determine if the curfew should be made mandatory going forward.

A Shelter in Place recommendation that asks all County residents to remain at home as much as they can and only venture out for essential travel, such as to their jobs, medical appointments or groceries. People over 65 and who have medical vulnerabilities are strongly encouraged to follow this request.

“My hope is none of these measures taken today will need to be enforced because the people of Pima County, when facing this historic public health crisis, will make the right choice to protect themselves, the elderly, the sick, the vulnerable, their families, their neighbors, their coworkers and their classmates,” said Pima County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ramón Valadez.

“We will get back to living our normal, everyday lives sooner by wearing a mask if you have to go out or if you have family over to your house. Stay distanced from others, avoid gatherings, including gatherings of family. Wash your hands. Let’s stop the spread of this terrible disease.“

The measures adopted today are effective immediately.

More information about these actions is available in the December 4, 2020 Special Meeting Memo to the Board of Supervisors.

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz., Nov. 30, 2020 – Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), announced today the sale of Port Royale, a 252-unit multifamily property in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The asset sold for $30 million, which represents $119,048 per unit.

 “Southern Arizona, defined by its strong healthcare, high-tech manufacturing and defense industries, is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state,” said Hamid Panahi, IPA first vice president. “Port Royale is a prime candidate for interior renovations as the large majority of the unit interiors feature original finishes.” Panahi, Steve Gebing and Cliff David, IPA executive managing directors, represented the seller, Bascom Arizona Ventures, and procured the buyer, Element Property Company.

Constructed in 2004 and 2008 on 13 acres, the 18-building property is close to Arizona State Route 90, the University of Arizona South, Cochise College, and Karshner Caverns. Shopping is nearby at the Plaza Vista Mall, Cochise Crossroads, and Hastings Center. Sierra Vista’s major employers include Fort Huachuca and Canyon Vista Medical Center.

TEMPE, AZ – Constructed in 1987, an aging Days Inn-flagged hotel is slated to be renovated and rebranded over the next couple of years as reported by Zack Mishkin, Senior Vice President at ORION Investment Real Estate, who represented the Seller, Tempe Hotel Group, LLC, as well as the Buyer, Elliot West Hospitality, LLC, in this complicated lease-sale option-structured transaction.

Although the property’s actual ownership may not officially transfer for a couple of years, terms were reached this past week in a lease-sale option that is reportedly for in excess of $8 million of total consideration. Work will begin shortly by the new operator to renovate the 139 units.

“By structuring this transaction with a lease/sale option, we were able to achieve pricing of nearly $60,000 per key for the previous Owners. The structure of the deal afforded the Buyer time to put their transformation plan in motion. Ultimately, the Buyer will close on the deal and take advantage of the upside that this area offers as the property itself has very solid bones,” stated Mishkin.

The 139 unit hotel, includes a resort style pool, full-service elevator, laundry, vending and ice, a business center, large atrium/continental breakfast room, and a meeting room.

The 2.38 acre site is located in an amenity-rich and economically diverse area. While it is located in Tempe’s General Industrial District (GID) zoning overlay, it is also near the picturesque Ahwatukee Foothills and Pointe South Mountain communities, and Arizona Grand Resort & Spa and Golf Course. The property benefits from being in both an employment hub as well as a desirable residential area with a myriad of shopping and dining experiences.

The site is just one block west of Interstate 10, which runs through the heart of Phoenix providing convenient access to the entire Valley. The site is only 8 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, 6 miles from Arizona State University, 2.5 miles from Arizona Mills (one of Arizona’s largest malls) and walking distance to Starbucks and multiple dining establishments. Uniquely situated in a prominent convergence zone, the hotel is located on the boundary of Tempe, Chandler, and the Ahwatukee Foothills, which provides this rapid growth corridor with a very diverse demographics and a large and growing employment hub.

In addition to the “solid bones” of the property itself, it was the area that attracted the local buyer to this opportunity. Mishkin sums up the transaction with the old adage of “Location, location, location. This served as the driving factor for this sale. The property’s superior location provides the Buyer with strong visibility, a healthy income demographic and a bustling and walkable business setting. The Buyer plans to renovate and rebrand the hotel, taking advantage of the benefits this location has to offer. Once renovations are completed this will be a great opportunity for the Buyer and an improvement for the Community as a whole