west valley
Volume 29 Issue 16 Goodyear, AZ
January 17, 2018
Business Briefcase
ByConnorDziawura
IN THE BIZ
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Business Briefcase! This week is bound to be a good one, with several new and interesting developments approaching. As such, West Valley residents can look forward to these plans. But just like that, there is also a bit of bad news, as Sears Holdings is closing one West Valley Kmart. Let’s get on with the sure-to-be important details. First, let’s start with Sears Holdings’ news it announced Thursday, January 4. It is closing 64 Kmart stores and 39 Sears locations this spring. Of these businesses, the Kmart at 8701 W. McDowell Road in Tolleson is one, reportedly. Eligible associates of any of the closed locations will receive severance. They can also apply for openings at other locations owned by Sears Holdings. The company started the process of holding liquidation sales at various locations. The announcement of these closures comes as Sears Holdings continues to evaluate its business and determine the proper number of brick and mortar locations it deems necessary. In the company’s statement, Sears Holdings detailed its desire to verify its physical and web-based services are equal in benefit to customers. On to a big development, The Gates at Goodyear Ballpark is coming soon. The new high-rise condominiums are set for a spot adjacent to Goodyear Ballpark. The idea has been forming for the past two years, according to Andra Fair, CEO of Fair Development. The idea, he said, was given to him by his land
partner, David Byrd, who owns and operates several hotels in Goodyear. “I was trying to find a partner who had experience in that area and every person who I went to, they wanted to gouge me for it. So, I went, ‘No, that’s OK, I’ll just wait for a while,’” Fair explained. Once the time came, the plan was adapted from a previous mixed-use development of Fair’s that he said was shelved. “What we did was that we took the components from my mixed-use development and we put it right there,” he said. It will feature 80 residential units, with office, dining and retail space below. Noting Arizona’s heat and long-lasting sunlight as motivations, Fair also plans for the structure to be energy independent and efficient, with the goal of residents having net-zero energy consumption. One feature is that residents’ units will have what Fair describes as transition glass, which darkens when exposed to sunlight. “What that does is that it reduces the energy consumption from heating and cooling, so you don’t need to have window treatment,” Fair said. “On the inside of the units, it’s as clear as your windshield on your vehicle, but on the outside, as the sun’s out over the building, it turns as dark as your smartphone screen glass when it’s off.” The development also involves Sonnen home energy storage systems, so each unit will have two solarpowered batteries, allowing residents to go on or off the grid, he explained. Planning is ongoing, but Fair said (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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he hopes to get the ball rolling in the coming months. “Our goal, actually, is to start construction at least by the beginning of the summer or maybe end of the spring,” Fair explained. Before that, however, he is looking to organize a black-tie gala at the ballpark in March, which he says will feature a 3D model of the planned high-rise. Keep an eye out for more news on Fair’s plans. Wrapping up, David Weekley Homes is now selling properties in Windrose, a community of Litchfield Park. With six floor plans that range from 2,100 to 3,100 square feet, these homes start in the $300s. If that weren’t enough, however, the 66 home sites – each on 70-foot plots – are energy efficient. Built to Diamond Level standards of the Environment for Living Program, David Weekley Homes guarantees three main ideas: energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and durability benefits, according to the company. A heating and cooling energy usage guarantee is also a component of the Diamond Level standards. Shopping, dining, retail, parks and schools are easily accessible from the neighborhood. Those interested can view the company’s model home, The Foxhall, during tours. It is a 2,800-square-feet open-concept home boasting four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, one half bathroom, a three-car garage, a study and other features. Those are all the briefs for this week. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more developments in the coming weeks! Subscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ 85026.
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