PHOENIX, Arizona – Through a new partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) of Arizona, the Arizona Chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) has proudly established the first-ever sponsorship of a commercial real estate shop in JA’s popular JA BizTown facility in Tempe, Arizona.

Launched in 2001, JA BizTown gives students the opportunity to take business fundamentals they receive during a school classroom curriculum and apply them in a student-sized town, where they become business professionals for a day in a real-world mini economy. In 2009, in response to burgeoning demand, JA expanded their facility with the addition of a second, on-site JA BizTown, which runs the JA Finance Park program for approximately four months of the year.

With its sponsorship, SIOR has established a first-ever partnership for the commercial real estate business station at JA BizTown. The mock businesses – named Bizzy Commercial Real Estate – incorporates elements of the office, industrial, multifamily, retail and medical property sectors, giving JA BizTown participants a broad induction into the life of a commercial real estate expert.

“The new SIOR-sponsored station at JA BizTown will introduce children and young adults to the commercial real estate community and promote our industry as a future potential career,” said SIOR Arizona Chapter President and JLL Managing Director Mark Gustin. “It gives us the opportunity to help students learn more about office buildings, medical buildings, grocery stores and warehouses, and consider how each of these works as a critical element in a successful economy.”

Like every business station at JA BizTown, Bizzy Commercial Real Estate allows students to take on various job responsibilities that require them to conduct commerce with other businesses and navigate the realities of paying electric bills, taxes, rent and other everyday expenses.

“It’s an exceptional exercise in leadership, financial literacy and communication skills,” said SIOR Arizona Chapter Vice President and Colliers International Executive Vice President Rob Martensen. “We hope that by SIOR serving as the seed sponsor for this station, it will open doors and make it easier for our colleagues to join us in supporting this wonderful organization.”

Other support opportunities recommended by SIOR include volunteering at the Bizzy Commercial Real Estate station – giving students the opportunity to interact with real-time industry professionals – or attending a JA event, such as the organization’s 60th Anniversary open house celebration.

For more information, visit the Junior Achievement website at www.jaaz.org, call (480) 377-8500 or contact via email at [email protected].

PHOENIX, AZ – Colliers International in Greater Phoenix recently completed the investment sale of 16-acres of farmland in Avondale for $1.44 million, or $90,000 per acre.

TGV Investments LLC of Phoenix purchased the land, located at the southwest corner of Lower Buckeye and Avondale Boulevard, from Hudson Realty Capital LLC of New York City.

Paul Holland, vice president, John Finnegan, senior vice president, Chaz Smith, senior vice president, Ramey Peru, associate vice president and Adam Hood, senior associate; all of Colliers International, represented the seller. The buyer’s agent was Rob Martensen, CCIM, SIOR, senior vice president with Colliers.

The alfalfa-farmed land was purchased as part of a 1031 exchange. East of the Agua Fria River, the property is in a mixed area of farmland and single-family homes with La Joya Community High School to the north.

“Hudson is liquidating to use funds for other properties,” said Holland, who has worked with the firm previously. Hudson Realty Capital is a middle market real estate finance company focused on originating, purchasing and servicing debt secured by commercial real estate.

To learn more Holland, Finnegan, Smith, Peru, Hood and Martensen can be reached through the Colliers main number in Phoenix at 602 222 5000.

GLENDALE, AZ– Cushman & Wakefield of Arizona, Inc. negotiated a long-term lease for 23,288-square-feet of industrial space at 5714 N. 51^st Ave., bringing Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. to the property.

This marks a new location for Sunbelt Rentals Inc., the second-largest equipment rental company in the United States. Sunbelt took occupancy of the property this month and is occupying the entire building.

“The landlord’s property offers the tenant a desirable location for its equipment rental business,” said Keri Scott. “Its proximity to major arteries (NW Grand Ave. and W. Bethany Home Rd.) makes this facility ideal for the company’s clients in the construction industry.”

Scott, Jackie Orcutt and John Grady of Cushman & Wakefield represented the landlord, ABC Contractor Supply Co. in the lease negotiations. Rob Martensen of Colliers International represented the tenant.

To learn more Scott and Orcutt can be reached at (602) 253.7900, Grady should be called at (602) 229.5834. Martensen can be contacted at (602) 222.5082 and go to www.sunbeltrentals.com for more information.