TUCSON, AZ (April 10, 2025) — Pima Community College has begun to demolish three historic hotels on the Miracle Mile corridor near downtown Tucson after a panel of judges denied efforts to block the project.

In an opinion released April 4, the state court of appeals upheld a Pima County Superior Court judge’s ruling and allowed the college to proceed with the demolition.

The college bought the three historic hotels on Drachman Street between 2018 and 2019 for $3.5 million. Tucson Inn, the Frontier Motel, and Copper Cactus Inn, formerly the El Rancho Motor Hotel, are adjacent to the college’s downtown campus.

The school began searching mid-2024 for potential developers to turn the buildings into student housing. The college authorized one developer to submit a proposal that included restoring the hotels. However, the college changed course in November 2024 when its governing board voted to demolish the hotels.

After hearing oral arguments on Dec.19, 2024, the superior court denied the request for a preliminary injunction but issued a temporary restraining order to allow the historic preservation groups to appeal. The restraining order prevented the demolition, but allowed the buildings to be abated, a process that removes hazardous or contaminated materials.

The court of appeals upheld that decision, ruling that the state laws governing preservation of historic properties controlled by state agencies do not apply to the college.

“We further conclude that Petitioners cannot establish either a strong likelihood of success on the merits or that irreparable harm will result if a stay is not granted,” Judge Peter Eckerstrom said in the appeals court opinion.

“The superior court did not abuse its discretion in denying Petitioners’ request for a stay pending appeal or the underlying request for a preliminary injunction, the denial of which is the subject of that appeal.”

The college said it is pleased with the Court of Appeals decision, which allows it to address “long-standing safety and security concerns at the site and continue to focus our efforts on serving students and the broader community.”

The college said preliminary work for demolition has begun, and the college will begin considering how to use the property.

Pima Community College faced backlash for demolition

The Tucson Preservation Foundation argued that saving the buildings from demolition would help preserve Tucson’s heritage and support revitalizing the historic neighborhood. The group said the buildings “hold significant cultural and architectural value” and “represent different eras in Tucson’s history and contribute to the city’s identity.”

Members of the public on the other side of the debate argued the college was not in the business of historic preservation.

The neighborhood’s history goes back to its heyday in the 1960s, when it was a popular stop for travelers driving across the country. The Miracle Mile strip was the perfect spot to pass through, connecting the city to Routes 80 and 89 and Arizona State Route 84.

Motels for fatigued travelers flourished in the area, as did hundreds of other businesses. The location was known for its billboards and story-high neon signs.

The decline of Miracle Mile started after Interstate 10 was added as the main entry into the city. With many off-ramps, drivers began to circumvent Miracle Mile, leading to the decline of the neighborhood’s economy. Eventually, many businesses and motels were demolished, while other buildings in the area were modified.

Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com . The Republic’s coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tucson college to demolish 3 historic Miracle Mile hotels after legal challenge blocked

Bella Encanta, a 212-unit, luxury, build-to-rent (BTR) home community in Mesa, Arizona

PHOENIX  (April 10, 2025) – CBRE negotiated the sale of Bella Encanta, a 212-unit, luxury, build-to-rent (BTR) home community located in Mesa, Ariz. CBRE’s Griffen Tymins, Asher Gunter, Matt Pesch, Sean Cunningham, and Austin Groen represented the seller, Bela Flor Communities. A global institutional investor acquired the community for $95.75 million.

“Bela Flor’s signature BTR communities provide a unique luxury lifestyle appeal and have been very well received,” said CBRE’s Tymins, an associate at CBRE who focuses on BTR communities in the Western . “Bella Encanta is the finest BTR product in Mesa, and the community’s design, large two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, and advantageous location attracted remarkable investor demand.”

Completed in 2023, Bella Encanta features duplex-style homes with the largest floorplans in the rental submarket, custom home-quality unit interiors, and comprehensive resort-inspired amenities, including a swimming pool area with two spas, poolside cabanas, sundeck, and barbecue grotto. The community’s resident clubhouse includes a large fitness center with a climbing wall, demonstration kitchen, billiards table, leasing office, conference room, meeting space, and seating areas. Bella Encanta has extensive outdoor amenities, including soccer fields, two pet parks with a wash station, a sand volleyball court, a basketball half-court, two pickleball courts, a children’s playground, walking paths and multiple picnic areas with barbecue grills.

Headquartered in Mesa, Bela Flor Communities has delivered for-sale communities and rental communities throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.

“We are extremely proud of Bella Encanta and this transaction is a testament to the community’s outstanding appeal and cutting-edge features,” said Bela Flor CEO Karl Huish. “Our focus on incorporating technology, sustainability, and energy efficiency in our communities clearly differentiates Bela Flor homes. Every home at Bella Encanta has LED lighting throughout, dual-pane insulated windows, tankless water heaters, video doorbells, smart thermostats and USB ports. Each home has a private, two-car attached garage with EV charging capability, which is truly a rare and desirable amenity in any market.”

Bella Encanta’s home interiors feature wood-style plank flooring throughout, 10′ ceilings downstairs and 9′ ceilings upstairs, full-size Samsung or LG washer and dryer,  and ceiling fans with LED lighting in all bedrooms and the living room. Gourmet kitchens include premium granite countertops with a large undermount sink, an eat-in island, stainless steel Samsung or LG appliance package with gas cooktops, pendant lighting, shaker cabinetry, and a subway tile backsplash.

According to CBRE research, national multifamily sales volume totaled $142.6 billion in 2024, and BTR sales volume topped $3.3 billion. The CBRE Build-To-Rent specialty practice group consists of more than 20 professionals covering all U.S. markets.

“BTR housing construction is essential in order to address the national housing shortage and investors are paying attention,” added Tymins. “The BTR asset class is one of the most attractive emerging investment vehicles available.”

Sahuarita, AZ (April 11, 2025) – Rancho Sahuarita invites the public to experience life in its award-winning community at ‘A Day in the Life’, a one-day event happening Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10 AM to 6 PM, as part of the 2025 Summer of Fun series.

Guests can explore Rancho Sahuarita’s parks and trails throughout the day, enjoy coffee meetups, participate in family-friendly activities, and connect with the community. The event concludes with live music and food trucks, offering a taste of the area’s vibrant social scene.

Attendees can also participate in the Rancho Sahuarita Passport Challenge, collecting stamps at activities to win a 75-inch TV. Early registrants receive a bonus entry, with additional chances available through event participation and model home visits. Attendees can pre-register, but walk-ups will be welcome on the event day.

“There’s something special about Rancho Sahuarita that you can only experience by being here,” said Jeremy Sharpe, Managing Partner of Rancho Sahuarita. ‘A Day in the Life’ is an open invitation for visitors to step into our community and truly experience why over 20,000 people choose to call our community home.”

For more information about the event and to pre-register, visit https://ranchosahuarita.com/summer-of-fun/