By Keith Pomonis

Arizona (Sept. 9, 2026) — For Arizona commercial property managers, microbursts to maintenance the arrival of September bring a collective sigh of relief. The relentless triple-digit heatwaves are finally losing their grip, and the chaotic unpredictability of the summer monsoon season is winding down.

However, while the worst of the summer weather may be in the rearview mirror, the physical toll it leaves behind requires immediate attention.

Between violent microbursts, blinding dust storms, and sudden flash floods, Arizona’s summer weather tests the absolute limits of commercial real estate. Now is the time for a rigorous post-monsoon audit. Catching hidden structural damage in September is the single best way to protect asset value and avoid budget-busting emergency repairs during the upcoming winter holiday rush.

1. The Building Envelope: Look Up and Out

The first and most critical stop on your audit should be the roof. Monsoon winds routinely lift commercial roof membranes, while heavy downpours can expose clogged roof drains, leading to ponding water. Even if you haven’t noticed an active ceiling leak inside your office or retail space, water may be slowly pooling or compromising your insulation.

Have a certified roofing professional inspect flashing, seams, and parapet walls. Additionally, check the building facade for stucco cracks or window seal failures caused by haboob-driven sand and debris. Addressing these minor entry points now ensures your property remains watertight before winter rains arrive.

2. Asphalt and Drainage: Preventing Foundation Erosion

Monsoon floods don’t just disrupt traffic; they actively erode your property’s infrastructure. Flash flooding can wash away the sub-base beneath parking lot asphalt, leading to sudden potholes or sinkholes.

Walk your parking structures and surface lots to check for new cracks, oil stains lifted by floodwaters, and asphalt stripping. Just as importantly, clear out your retention basins and storm drains. Summer storms routinely fill these areas with silt, trash, and desert debris. If the drainage systems are choked, the next heavy rain could back up directly into your ground-floor tenant spaces.

3. Landscaping and Irrigation: The Silent Budget Killer

Desert landscaping is resilient, but microburst winds can easily split mature mesquite or Palo Verde trees, creating hidden structural hazards that could drop branches on cars or pedestrians.

Simultaneously, check your irrigation systems. Summer storms often shift soil or damage drip lines. If lines are broken or timers were adjusted to compensate for rain, your property could either be wasting thousands of gallons of water or allowing expensive xeriscaping to die off right as the planting season begins.

4. The Financial Payoff

September is the ultimate operational bridge in Arizona. By transitioning from reactive storm management to proactive capital planning, you protect your tenants, limit liability, and set a clean baseline for your upcoming 2027 budgeting cycle. Don’t wait for a minor summer strain to become a major winter failure, get out on the property this week.

Keith Pomonis is the President of Mesa-based EHS Restoration. For more information call (480) 306-5777 or visit ehsrestoration.com.

TUCSON, AZ (Sept. 8, 2026) — Tucson Lease Report activity totaled 23,774 square feet in the latest reported transactions, led by The Room Store’s 6,000-square-foot expansion at Speedway Square Shopping Center. The activity included retail, industrial, office and medical users across Tucson and Oro Valley. The 11 transactions totaled 23,774 square feet, consisting of 10,967 square feet of retail space, 9,784 square feet of industrial and office/warehouse space, and 3,023 square feet of office space.

NEW LEASES
Retail – 5611 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85712 – Northeast
The Room Store, LLC leased an additional 6,000 square feet at Speedway Square Shopping Center, 5611 E. Speedway Blvd. in Tucson. The expansion brings the furniture retailer’s total occupancy at the center to 14,994 square feet. Isaac Figueroa, CCIM, SIOR, of Larsen Baker represented the landlord and handled the transaction.

Industrial – 740 E. 46th St., Tucson, AZ 85713 – South
Revive Church of God leased 2,565 square feet of industrial space from RRL Inc. at 740 E. 46th St. in Tucson. Max Fisher of BRD Realty handled the transaction.

Office/Warehouse – 8101 E. Research Court, Suite 105, Tucson, AZ 85710 – East
Self-Synergy LLC leased 2,284 square feet of office/warehouse space from Research Investors LLC at 8101 E. Research Court, Suite 105, in Tucson. Max Fisher of BRD Realty handled the transaction. The space will be used for an outpatient physical therapy and medical rehabilitation clinic serving veterans.

Office – 9740 N. Oracle Rd., Suite 102, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 – Northwest
Inspired Life Chiropractic & Wellness, LLC leased 2,056 square feet of office space at El Corredor Shopping Center, 9740 N. Oracle Rd., Suite 102, in Oro Valley, from Christoferson AZ Investments LLC. Aaron LaPrise and Rob Tomlinson, Principals and Retail Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord. Bruce Suppes with CBRE, Tucson, represented the tenant.

Industrial – 2420 W. Ruthrauff Rd., Suite 160A, Tucson, AZ 85705 – Central
Tucson Tile & Grout, LLC leased 1,435 square feet of industrial space at Ruthrauff Commerce Center, 2420 W. Ruthrauff Rd., Suite 160A, in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner, LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

Retail – 446 W. Valencia Rd., Tucson, AZ 85706 – South
Zenith Vape & CBD leased 1,180 square feet of retail space at Valencia Mercado, 446 W. Valencia Rd. in Tucson, from Valencia Mercado Manager LLC. Rob Tomlinson and Aaron LaPrise, Principals and Retail Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, handled the transaction.

Industrial – 3820 E. 44th St., Suite 416, Tucson, AZ 85713 – South
South Tucson Wolfpack leased 1,100 square feet of industrial space from RR 44 Inc. at 3820 E. 44th St., Suite 416, in Tucson. Max Fisher of BRD Realty handled the transaction.

Office – 17 W. Wetmore Rd., Suite 300, Tucson, AZ 85705 – Central
The Watkins Agency, LLC leased 967 square feet of office space at 17 W. Wetmore Rd., Suite 300, in Tucson, from Coronado Tower Tucson, LLC. Thomas J. Nieman, Principal and Office Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord. Matthew Bustamante with Trilogy Commercial Real Estate represented the tenant.

Industrial – 5023 E. 29th St., Tucson, AZ 85711 – East
Tail Waggin L.L.C. leased 600 square feet of industrial space at Town Central Business Park, 5023 E. 29th St. in Tucson, from Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

RENEWALS

Retail – 3175 N. Swan Rd., Suite 125, Tucson, AZ 85712 – Northeast
BMO Bank renewed its lease with Swan Retail, LLC for 3,787 square feet of retail space at The Shoppes at Creekside, 3175 N. Swan Rd., Suite 125, in Tucson. Aaron LaPrise, Principal and Retail Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord. Bruce Suppes with CBRE, Tucson, represented the tenant.

Industrial – 3601 E. 44th St., Suite 106, Tucson, AZ 85713 – South
Bella Luna Beverages LLC renewed its lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 1,800 square feet of industrial space at South Dodge Business Center, 3601 E. 44th St., Suite 106, in Tucson. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA (Sept. 8, 2026) — One of central Phoenix’s longtime retail destinations could be headed for a significant mixed-use transformation as Federal Realty Investment Trust and RED Development move forward with plans to add multifamily housing and broaden development options across the western portion of Camelback Colonnade.

The developers are seeking to rezone approximately 23 acres on the western half of the shopping center to accommodate a mix of multifamily residential, retail, restaurant and office uses.

The Camelback Village Planning Committee recommended approval of the rezoning request at its Sept. 1 meeting. The case is scheduled to advance to the Phoenix Planning Commission on Oct. 1 before ultimately going to the Phoenix City Council for consideration.

An initial residential component calls for a 216-unit multifamily development on approximately 2.5 acres on the southwest side of Camelback Colonnade near Highland Avenue and State Route 51. The site currently includes underutilized parking and a Phoenix Public Library branch.

The rezoning would position the owners to gradually introduce higher density development into one of Phoenix’s most established retail corridors while retaining the shopping center’s significant retail presence.

As part of the rezoning conditions, the developers would also contribute toward construction of a new pedestrian bridge across SR 51 adjacent to the property. Funding could later be reimbursed as specified phases of the larger redevelopment are completed.

Changes are already underway elsewhere at Camelback Colonnade.

Burlington recently opened as a new anchor tenant at the center, while Dutch Bros is pursuing plans for a 986 square foot drive through coffee shop on approximately 0.72 acres between In-N-Out Burger and Fifth Third Bank on the eastern side of the property. The Dutch Bros project remains subject to city approval.

Camelback Colonnade, at 1919 E. Camelback Road, dates to the 1960s and remains one of the Valley’s best-known regional shopping centers. Current tenants include Fry’s Marketplace, Best Buy, Marshalls, PetSmart, Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, Ulta Beauty, Michaels, Staples and Floor & Decor. The property also includes Nordstrom Last Chance, one of only a limited number of the discount concepts operating nationally.

Its location near Camelback Road and SR 51 places the center in the heart of the Camelback Corridor, close to Biltmore Fashion Park, the Arizona Biltmore resort and a large concentration of offices, restaurants and residential development.

The proposed residential addition represents another example of the broader shift underway at mature Valley shopping centers, where owners are increasingly looking beyond traditional retail uses and introducing housing and other higher density development to established commercial properties.