Scottsdale, AZ – Sterling Real Estate Partners, a value-add focused real estate investment company, announces the sale of Seventh Apartments, one of the trendiest multi-family properties in Uptown Phoenix. This is Sterling’s ninth sale in Phoenix, totaling $155M.

The 286-unit multifamily community is positioned on over five acres and is characterized by its vibrant, mid-century influenced architecture and recently modernized common area amenities.  The property is in an excellent location at 5145 N 7^th St., just north of Seventh Street and Camelback Road.  Sterling Real Estate Partners acquired the property in June 2018 and invested $2M into the property. Sterling converted the courtyards into an outdoor gaming area and a state-of-the-art indoor fitness center with outdoor yoga yard, transformed a dilapidated tennis court to a dog park, and did a complete remodel of the leasing office and clubhouse. Unit interiors were also renovated with modern style finishes, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops.

Sterling President, David Zeff stated, “This was a very gratifying investment, and we are excited for more opportunities like this one.  Due to the extensive capital improvements, Seventh is now up to date with current multi-family trends.”  The implementation of Sterling’s 6-point value add strategy allowed them to sell the property for $134,000/unit. “Sterling invested a great deal of equity to improve the quality of living for each resident,” said Zeff. This acquisition was brokered by Cliff David and Steve Gebing at IPA.

Sterling Real Estate Partners is known for their strong relationships and reputation for integrity and reliability. Sterling is actively pursuing additional opportunities in Arizona and Texas. For more information contact David Zeff (602) 396-5135, Chris Bade (602) 820-8318 or please visit www.sterling-partners.com

Judge denies request from Native Americans who say land has religious import

SUPERIOR, ARIZONA — A federal judge on Friday said he would not stop the U.S. Forest Service from transferring government-owned land in Superior, Arizona to Rio Tinto Plc for its Resolution Copper project, denying a request from Native Americans who said the land has religious and cultural import.

The judge’s decision is likely to escalate the clash between members of Arizona’s San Carlos Apache Tribe, who consider the land home to deities, and Rio and minority partner BHP Group Plc, who have spent more than $1 billion on the project without producing any copper, the red metal used to make electric vehicles and other electronics devices.

The ruling means the land transfer can now take place by mid-March under a timeline approved by Congress and then-President Barack Obama in 2014.

U.S. District Judge Steven Logan, an Obama appointee, said the group of Native Americans who brought the suit lacked standing and that the government has the right to give the land to whomever it chooses.

Tribal members claimed the U.S. government has illegally occupied the land for more than 160 years, but Logan sided with government attorneys by finding that Washington gained the land in an 1848 treaty with Mexico.

Representatives for the tribe, Rio Tinto and the U.S. Forest Service were not immediately available for comment. BHP declined to comment.

“We remain undaunted,” said Michael Nixon, an attorney for Apache Stronghold, the nonprofit group of Native Americans opposed to the mine.

Rio Tinto and minority partner BHP Group Plc have spent more than $1 billion on the project without producing any copper. (REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo)

Logan’s ruling was related to an injunction request. Apache Stronghold had also asked for a jury trial to determine, in part, whether the U.S. government can give the land away. It was not immediately clear when that trial could take place as U.S. courts have prioritized criminal cases during the coronavirus pandemic.

Some Native Americans work for and support the Resolution project, though many others have vowed to oppose it forcefully.

Logan last month declined to block the publication of an environmental study that started the 60-day countdown for the land swap.

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TUCSON, Ariz.  – The Sundt Foundation awarded grants to seven Southern Arizona nonprofits during its current giving round.

“Being able to live our company’s purpose every day and give back to our community is very rewarding for our employee-owners,” said Rick Buchanan, Sundt Foundation Tucson Board Member. “All seven charities selected this quarter are worthy of being selected for the work they’re doing to make Southern Arizona a better place.”

The Foundation awards grants each quarter to local charities that support disadvantaged children and families. Nonprofits are selected through an application process and reviewed by a committee of Sundt employee-owners.

Nonprofits that received a grant include:

•        Interfaith Community Services Tucson
•        Make Way for Books
•        Tucson Jewish Community Center
•        El Rio Center Foundation
•        Steven M. Gootter Foundation
•        Step Up to Justice
•        Bootstraps to Share of Tucson (BICAS)