Volume 5 Issue 2
$4.99 Summer 2016
Serving Contracting Firms and the Arizona Community‌
And They're Off! The Turf Paradise Story Remembering the CinÉ Capri Theater Emery Harper: Still Moving Materials Rehabbing Insights from Lorenzo Perez T.S. Montgomery: Thoughtful Architect
Carving Out the Road to Success:
Three Horner Generations on the Cutting Edge
A CC Celebrates Years
5
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Summer 2016 Volume 5 Issue 2 Publisher William Horner Billy@arizcc.com Editor Douglas Towne Douglas@arizcc.com Contributing Writers John Bueker Peter Cheng Christia Gibbons Emma Green Elaine Hagen McBride Gayle Homes Martin Tamara Juarez Katie Mayer Donna Reiner Jaimee Robinson Luke M. Snell Doug Sydnor
Houston's because I love their ribs!
Barrio Cafe for the slow roasted 'Cochinita Pibil' pork tacos.
Production Manager Laura Horner Laura@arizcc.com Magazine Consultant Chuck Runbeck Chuck@arizcc.com Publisher’s Representatives Shane Addington Shane@arizcc.com
Alexi’s Grill in Mid-Town Phx.
Tom Hogarty Tom@arizcc.com Chuck Runbeck Chuck@arizcc.com
What’s your favorite Arizona restaurant and why?
Barry Warner Barry@arizcc.com Advertising 602-931-0069 arizcc.com/advertise.html
Serving Contracting Firms and the Arizona Community… Then & Now Printed at Lithotech Arizona Contractor & Community (ACC) magazine is published quarterly (spring, summer, fall, & winter). ACC is a professional publication designed for the contracting industry, engineers, architects, equipment rentals, suppliers, and others interested in Arizona and its history. Content including text, photographs or illustrations may not be reproduced without the written permission from the publisher. The publisher does not assume responsibility for unsolicited submissions. ACC reserves the right to reject any editorial and advertising material and reserves the right to edit all submitted content material. Arizona Contractor & Community Copyright © 2016 All rights reserved.
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Summer 2016
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Arizona contractor & Community
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Meet the Staff
John Bueker – Writer
Article on page 64 Favorite AZ restaurant: Minder Binders in Tempe, a beloved college hangout, which had a miraculous rebirth in 2014 after being closed down for 8 years. First job: A "pin jammer" at the Fairlanes Tempe Village bowling center, a fun job at which I made $3.35 an hour! New skill to learn: I'd love to be able to fix my car but sadly, I have no discernable mechanical aptitude whatsoever. Favorite holiday: Christmas because of all the great childhood memories and holiday music. Goal to accomplish: I’m currently reuniting my old band to record an album, and perform live somewhere.
Donna Reiner – Writer
Article on page 36 Favorite AZ restaurant: I don’t have one but I prefer places that have a genuine vegetarian option. First job: Babysitting back when I earned 50 cents an hour and most of my "customers" were girls. New skill to learn: To cross-country ski as I would probably break something trying downhill skiing. Favorite holiday: I don’t have one because every day is such a joy. Goal to accomplish: To climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Fuji.
Gayle Homes Martin
Writer Article on page 60 Favorite AZ restaurant: I love mom and pop restaurants, and one of my favorites has always been Jordan's Mexican Food on North Seventh Street in Phoenix. It's just as good as I remember when I was little. First job: Working as a receptionist for Homes & Son when I was 15. Nowadays I write romance novels under the pen name Marina Martindale. New skill to learn: Gosh, I do so much already, however I'm currently relearning a skill, and that is playing the piano. Favorite holiday: Christmas because it's such a magical time of the year. Goal to accomplish: Finish writing novel number five, and then do more traveling.
Billy Horner – Publisher
Article on page 72 Favorite AZ restaurant: The Prescott Brewery for their seafood platter. First job: Mowing lawns and working construction part time in the summer. New skill to learn: How to prepare fine vegan dining for my wife. Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving for my grandmother's stuffing! Goal to accomplish: Teaching the art of oldfashioned construction grading.
Meet more of our staff online at: arizcc.com/staff
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Summer 2016
Letters to the Editor: We’re OK in Tombstone I recently met Billy while working on a construction project. He introduced me to Arizona Contractor & Community magazine, which I enjoy, particularly the vintage and historical aspects. It’s one of the first magazines I have read cover to cover in a long time. My family is native to Tombstone dating back six generations. We have prospered in mining and construction since the late 1800's. I was raised operating much of the old equipment featured in the magazine. Thanks to you and your staff for producing such an excellent publication. Buddy Escapule Foreman, 5D Mining and Construction Tombstone, Arizona Helpful Tool Funny, your office called me the other day just as my associate Mike Smith & I were reading the latest issue of Arizona Contractor & Community magazine. The articles in the magazine are great! Many of our customers are advertisers in your publication. We find the magazine has been a helpful tool for our business and think it is exceptional. Here's to your continued success! Mickey Smith Axle Transmissions Phoenix, Arizona Inspiring Stories I was truly honored to be a part of your Spring 2016 issue of Arizona Contractor & Community magazine and have been spreading the word about the excellent publication through social media. More people need to know about your magazine so they can read the inspiring stories of the people that formed some of the larger construction companies, especially here in Tucson. You are all doing an impressive job, and I look forward to every upcoming issue. Thank you, Jenn Escarcega VP/Owner, Miura Contracting Tucson, Arizona
www.Arizcc.com
Quality Magazine We were introduced to this magazine by Chuck Runbeck and have enjoyed reading the articles about our business community. The older stories are quite good. Thank you for putting out a quality magazine. Vikki Noel Accounting Manager, C & S Sweeping Services, Inc. Phoenix, Arizona Send your thoughts and comments to our editor at douglas@arizcc.com
Note from the editor: Meeting Mr. Wright I came to Tucson in 1950 from New Haven, Connecticut after achieving a degree in Architecture from Yale and after surviving a year-long bout with rheumatic fever. My doctors told me I had to move to a warm climate for my illness. My young wife and I chose Tucson, not only for the climate but its beauty and cultural life. Tucson in 1950 had a symphony, chamber music, opera, and a university. My wife, Lois, was very interested in Planned Parenthood in New Haven so when we moved she was thrilled to get a job in Tucson with Margaret Sanger, President of Planned Parenthood World Federation. Lois worked as her secretary from 1950-1952, and was responsible for her correspondence and party arrangements, and sometimes met her visitors at the airport and took them to their hotels. Mrs. Sanger entertained many visiting notables including her friend Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous architect, who was then in his 80’s. We attended some of her parties for the visitors, including one where Mr. Wright attended. At this party, Mrs. Sanger delayed her entrance until all the guests were assembled. Lois had to make all the introductions, so she introduced me to Frank Lloyd Wright. I opened with, "I have always wanted to meet you, Mr. Wright." He replied,
"Now that you're here what have you got to say?" I told him I had recently graduated from the Yale School of Architecture. He said something to indicate to me that he didn't think that was a good thing for me to have done. I replied to him, "But Mr. Wright, it is only the beginning for me." He replied, "The beginning of the end," and turned on his heel and walked over to greet Mrs. Sanger. My thrill at meeting the great man turned to ashes. I found it hard to believe a man of that stature could be that arrogant. Despite Mr. Wright's opinion, I went on to enjoy a very successful and happy 40-year career in architecture in Tucson. Edward H. Nelson, F.A.I.A. Tucson Architect 1953-1993 Below: In a bit of serendipity, Arizona Contractor & Community Editor Douglas Towne recently met famed Tucson architect Edward H. Nelson thanks to overnight lodging provided by his badminton doubles partner, Rob Waters. Rob’s wife, Sarah, mentioned that her father, who designed “half the city,” was coming over for dinner. Learning her father’s name, Towne remembered that Nelson was the subject of our architecture columnist Doug Sydnor’s Fall 2015 column for Arizona Contractor & Community magazine. It is a small world sometimes.
Arizona contractor & Community
Summer 2016 Volume 5 Issue 2
CONTENTS
10. 12. 36. 38. 40. 45. 54. 56.
Don't miss a single issue Subscribe to Arizona Contractor & Community magazine
60. 64. 70. 72. 74. 77. 78.
From The Editor: ACC Celebrates Five Years Douglas Towne Construction Around Arizona: Projects • People • Practices It Is Not Maryvale: John F. Long’s Historic Infill Project - Donna Reiner Back When: Salad Dressing - Douglas Towne Carving Out The Road To Success: Three Horner Generations On The Cutting Edge - Katie Mayer Contractors West Inc. Celebrates 40 Years Special Advertising Section Hoover Dam: Hagen Construction's Arizona Connection - Elaine Hagen McBride Emery Harper: Still Moving Materials Douglas Towne Fifty Years Later: Remembering the Ciné Capri Theatre - Gayle Homes Martin And They’re Off! Cluer’s Enduring “Paradise” John Bueker Architect’s Perspective: Thomas Stuart Montgomery, Thoughtful Architect Doug Sydnor, FAIA Digging Through the Archives: Billy Joe Horner - William Horner Digging Through the Archives: Bob Horner - William Horner Bid Results - Bidjudge ACC Advertisers’ Index
Front Cover - Billy Joe Horner and Arza Van Wagner with a Cat 140G blade, 1985. Story on page 40.
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www.Arizcc.com
Arizona contractor & Community
ACC Celebrates Five Years Douglas Towne
“Y
ou’re fired!” Donald Trump would have told us with glee had we appeared on The
Apprentice. After the Great Recession, print media was on life support, with famous periodicals releasing their farewell issues. Was there a niche market for a publication about Arizona’s construction industry and its accompanying history? An unlikely four-person team decided to give it a try, attempting to pull off the improbable feat of creating Arizona Contractor & Community magazine. At least it would be a memorable ride if we didn’t succeed. The team, all working part-time on the magazine, wasn't exactly an all-star roster that inspired confidence:
Images courtesy of Arizona Contractor & Community
● Publisher William “Billy” Horner, a finish blade operator with a passionate vision for the magazine, but lacking media experience; ● Advertising Manager Chuck Runbeck, an Arizona construction publication legend, but a long-retired octogenarian; ● Production Manager Laura Horner, a corporate operative possessing an innate sense of style but lacking graphic design experience; and
● Editor Douglas Towne, a hydrologist, doing double-duty as a freelance writer for many years but a construction-industry neophyte. One factor working in our favor was how organically we came together to create the magazine. Billy, a third-generation Arizona construction worker, was the catalyst behind the magazine. A blade operator for Ace Asphalt, he’s also an accomplished drummer and performs regularly around the Valley. Despite his day job, musical inclinations, and tinkering with collectible vehicles, Billy was determined to launch a publication for the construction industry that highlighted its pioneer companies and vintage equipment. To begin the project, Billy tracked down Chuck – and was surprised to find him spry and energetic. Since 1953, Chuck had worked on magazines such as Arizona Builder & Contractor, Arizona-New Mexico Contractor & Engineer, and Southwest Contractor. He also served for 34 years as Executive Director of the Associated Equipment Distributors of Arizona. Chuck retired in 1997, only to be lured back to work on the magazine. I met Billy through the Trunk Space, an art and music venue on Lower Grand
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Summer 2016
Avenue. He performed there in bands while I curated the annual Grid Show art exhibit. The owner, Steph Carrico, suggested to Billy that I would be a good fit. As proof, she gave him a copy of another publication I edit, the Society for Commercial Archeology Journal, which focuses on roadside architecture and history. Laura joined the magazine from a slightly different angle: she went out on a blind date with Billy. The two immediately hit it off. When the lack of a graphic designer stalled the magazine's launch, Laura grabbed the reins. Adept at learning new software, she put the magazine layout together and automated the essential business aspects of publication. My initial expectations for the magazine were minimal: I figured the project would be a glorious failure, imploding after a few issues. Afterwards, Billy, Laura, Chuck, and I would occasionally get together and reminisce about what may have been. Although I was busy with other writing assignments, one thing kept me committed to Billy’s project: history. Despite my ignorance of the construction industry, I’d long been fascinated with the infrastructure these companies built dams, bridges, roads, signs, and buildings. The project also seemed as close as I would get to emulating City Magazine, a short-lived publication which covered civic life in Tucson in the mid-1980s, founded by the late iconic writer Chuck Bowden. Mostly, though, I enjoyed brainstorming with Billy, Chuck, and Laura – and the many writers and professionals who have worked with us over the past five years. It's scary; we enjoy each other's company.
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The list includes Shane Addington, Lee Addis, Paul Beaulieu, John Bueker, J.J.M. Czep, Connor Descheemaker, Christia Gibbons, Jennifer Giralo, Robert and Roberta Graham, Tom Hogarty, John Jacquemart, Taz Loomans, Carlos Lozano, Katie Mayer, Suad Mahmuljin, Donna Reiner, Luke Snell, John Larsen Southard, Doug Sydnor, Maureen E. Towne, Barry Warner, and others too numerous to mention. There were no hidden agendas or huge egos, just infectious enthusiasm to make Arizona Contractor & Community magazine a success. With that outlook and the generous support of our advertisers and readers, we’re slowly overcoming our surprise at still being in business to
celebrate our fiveyear anniversary. I just hope we don’t forget to uncork the champagne.
Arizona contractor & Community
Construction Around Arizona
Images courtesy of author
Construction Around Arizona
Projects ∙ People ∙ Practices
GCU Continues Camelback Corridor Revival Peter Cheng
T
he landscape of Phoenix’s Canyon Corridor neighborhood is rapidly changing with Grand Canyon University’s aggressive expansion plan. Several of the school’s projects are being built on the stretch of Camelback Road between 27th Avenue and the I-17 freeway. GCU Campus Development Director Richard Oesterle said, “We’re building a 2,400-car garage and a 325,000-sq.-ft. office building on that site.” The site also will include a new swimming pool, as well as restaurant and lobby attached to the 152-room Grand Canyon University Hotel, which opened
twelve
last summer. Like the hotel, the restaurant will be managed by the university’s hospitality management program. “The pool and the restaurant will open June 1, the parking garage and the office building will be late fall,” Oesterle said. Oesterle said the restaurant, “will serve a variety of food; it will be American cuisine. It's called Canyons '49 (because) Grand Canyon (University) was founded in 1949." The project was designed by suoLL Architects out of Scottsdale and is being built by Pono Construction of Glendale. Mony Wolver of Pono said her company is constructing nearly all of GCU’s current projects. Over the past decades, this section of town has seen some hard times, but Oesterle said, "We are doing a lot of construction in the area, and I think it's
helped improve the area along Camelback and I-17.” According to the Grand Canyon University development agreement with the city, a study by Elliot D. Pollack & Company found that “GCU’s development efforts over the next five years will result in a total of 6,743 direct jobs and 1,434 indirect jobs during the 10-year period from 2010-2019. “GCU is responsible for an economic impact of $1.1 billion annually and an estimated $11.1 billion from 2010-2019.” The same document states the city of Phoenix will reimburse GCU up to $19 million for infrastructure improvements made by the university. Peter Cheng is a student reporter at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Summer 2016