Land platted by Empire Group for 273 single-family homes

Scottsdale, Ariz. –   Empire Group of Companies recently sold 99.43 acres to DR Horton for approximately $2.5 million. The land is located in the town of Florence, situated at the northeast corner of Central Park Avenue and Highway 287 near downtown.

Empire Group entitled and platted the property. The 99.43-acre parcel was platted in two phases and includes a total of 273 lots that are ready for DR Horton to begin building. The future neighborhood is also conveniently nearby Adamsville Medical Center and Florence High School.

“The town of Florence is a growing corridor between Phoenix and Tucson,” states Empire Group Founding Partner, Richard Felker. “We are seeing more and more businesses coming to the area and residents moving in, which continues to drive demand for housing.”

The transaction was handled by Ben Heglie of Land Advisors Organization who represented The Empire Group in the sale.

The Empire Group Companies, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., was founded by Richard Felker in the early 1970s. Under Felker’s direction the company built its reputation as a leading developer of Class A mixed-use projects and luxury build-for-rent communities throughout Arizona.

To learn more about Empire Group of Companies and their projects, visit builtbyempire.com.

PHOTO: Richard Felker, Empire Group Founding Partner

Phoenix, Arizona – Dominium, one of the nation’s leading owners, developers and managers of affordable housing, is holding a grand opening of 237 units of affordable senior housing in Mesa on May 16 and breaking ground on 568 units of both senior and family affordable housing in Maryvale on May 17. Elected officials for Mesa, Phoenix and Maricopa County will join in the festivities, as well as senior leadership from the Arizona Department of Housing.

Dominium has been in the affordable housing industry for 50 years and manages more than 38,000 apartments in 22 states. Dominium has a national reputation of developing high-quality properties that they own and manage for the long-term. To help address Arizona’s housing crisis, Dominium has opened an office in Phoenix and is collaborating with the Arizona Department of Housing, the Arizona Industrial Development Authority, and a number of other investor partners. Dominium’s current new construction pipeline consists of over 1,100 units of affordable housing, with an additional 3,000 units proposed across the Valley.

“In Arizona, the need for affordable housing is significant,” said Owen Metz, Senior Vice President and Project Partner. “Dominium is thrilled to play a critical role in improving the state’s housing crisis by adding high-quality, affordable apartment homes for individuals and families throughout the region.”

At 3 p.m. May 16, Dominium and its partners will hold a grand opening for Solstice of Mesa, a 289,840-square-foot, 237-unit apartment complex for seniors earning no more than 60% of area median income located at 307 E. Hawes Road (Hawes and Broadway roads in Mesa). The property consists of 99 one-bedroom, 120 two-bedroom, and 18 three-bedroom units. Each apartment home will include a walk-in closet, laundry, low-energy windows, low-flow water fixtures, and a covered balcony. The community has a fitness room, card room, craft room, salon, library, club room, theater, outdoor walking and sitting areas, grilling space, pool and lounge area. Solstice of Mesa will support green initiatives that will generate more than 1 million KwH of solar energy, providing up to a projected 50% in energy savings for the property. Solstice of Mesa is Dominium’s first new construction project in Arizona and is already 100% leased due to need in the area. Tofel Dent Construction of Tucson was the contractor and Todd & Associates of Phoenix served as the architect.

At 8 a.m. May 17, Dominium and its partners will break ground on two adjacent properties, the 274,936-square-foot Casa Azure, and the 498,521-square-foot Aviara Flats in Phoenix’s Maryvale neighborhood. Casa Azure, 7750 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, will bring 196 units of affordable senior apartment homes in the winter of 2023 while Aviara Flats, 7800 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix (78th Avenue and Encanto Blvd. in Phoenix), will bring 372 units of affordable apartment homes for families in the summer of 2024. To qualify for this housing, residents must earn less than 60% of the area median income.

Casa Azure will be 54 one-bedroom, 122 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom units and the community will offer a fitness center, pool, salon, craft room, library, theater and delivery/package service. Aviara Flats will feature 12 one-bedroom, 168 two-bedroom and 192 three-bedroom units and the community will feature two playgrounds, a sundeck, clubroom, picnic and barbeque area, fitness center, pool and delivery/package service. Each apartment at Casa Azure and Aviara Flats will include amenities such as a walk-in closet, granite countertops and a covered balcony. Solar panels at the site are expected to offset nearly 50% of the development’s energy consumption. The development will feature unique design amenities including a transit-oriented public plaza next to a future Valley Metro light rail station. WD Construction, of Phoenix, is the contractor and Todd & Associates of Phoenix is the architect.

TEMPE, ARIZONA – Bolstering its presence in one of its strategic markets, engineering consultant firm Terracon announces the promotion of Tracy Grover to Senior Vice President/Rocky Mountain Division Manager.

Grover, who has been with Terracon for 7 years, previously was the firm’s Vice President/Assistant Service Line Director for Materials, Western U.S., where he was involved with the firm’s technology and innovation development and adoption, and leadership development.

Grover has been in the engineering and consulting industry for more than 30 years and has served in many roles including construction inspector, project manager, office manager, and regional manager.

Grover will be responsible for the safety, growth, leadership and direction of Terracon’s employee owners and services in the Rocky Mountain Division. This includes Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, North Dakota, Arizona, and New Mexico.

“I am confident that Tracy’s proven track record in leadership, operations, and technical excellence will allow the Rocky Mountain Division to continue to thrive under his leadership,” said Tim Anderson, Executive Vice President/Western Operating Group Manager.

Grover is actively involved with the American Concrete Institute, and currently chairs ACI 311 Committee, Inspection of Concrete. He has also been involved with the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA) where he served on its Public Relations Committee.

Born and raised in eastern Idaho, Grover has lived all over the Western U.S. including Washington, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Grover and his family moved to Arizona 11 years ago.

Away from the office, he enjoys waterskiing, wakeboarding, hiking, fly-fishing, and spending time with his family, which includes his wife, five children and four grandchildren. He attended the University of Utah.

Grover has served for more than 30 years in various roles with his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He has organized countless activities with the youth to teach them outdoor skills and how to enjoy and take care of the natural environment.

Terracon is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm with more than 5,400 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states.

Terracon ranks 21st on the Engineering News-Record list of Top 500 Design Firms and is ranked No. 1 in Asbestos and Lead Abatement Design. To learn more about Terracon visit www.terracon.com.