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Convention Center
The Convention Center North Building currently under construction at 3rd Street and Monroe is set to be equipped with state of the art solar panel technology. In early April technicians will begin to install peel-and-stick solar panels marking the first use of such technology in the Phoenix area. The panels are expected to provide 150,000 kilowatts of electricity annually. The North Building is on schedule to be completed in December and will add 635,000 SF to the existing convention space for a total rentable area of 880,000 SF. The North Building will welcome its first guests in January 2009.
Criminal Court Tower Moves Ahead
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved funding to construct a Criminal Court Tower in Downtown Phoenix. The Board authorized $360 million to construct the tower on the site located between First and Second Avenues, Madison and Jackson Streets in an effort to alleviate delays in the criminal justice system. The tower is expected to be 14-16 floors in height and would house 32 criminal courtrooms.
Phoenix Children’s Museum Adds $1.75 Million
The Phoenix Children’s Museum announced donations totaling $1.75 million in March. The Ethel and Kemper Marley foundation added $500,000 to their previous $250,000 contribution. Also, an anonymous donor has agreed to match donations of $250,000 or more – up to $1.25 million. It is the largest donation to date for the Museum, which has raised more than $10 million towards the $12 million needed to renovate the old Monroe School at 7th Street and Monroe. The Museum is on schedule to open June 14th and will feature 55,000 square feet of exhibit space. For more information, visit www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
Plans Underway for “aloft” hotel
Copper Pointe development has entered into negotiations with the City of Phoenix to construct an “aloft” hotel . From W Hotels, “aloft” hotels are currently open in Arkansas, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania and South Carolina and feature loft-inspired design elements. The “aloft” is to be located at the southeast corner of Central Avenue and Adams, with groundbreaking in the fall of this year. With the 1,000 room Phoenix Sheraton opening in October, Hotel Monroe and “aloft”, Downtown Phoenix will offer over 3,700 hotel rooms for visitors and conventioneers. Pictured is a rendering of an “aloft” hotel currently under development in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information, visit: www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/index.html
ASU School of Nursing Breaks Ground
Today, the Arizona State University School of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation broke ground on its new building to be located at the southeast corner of Third Street and Fillmore. The 84,500 square foot, five-story building will help accomodate the largest nursing school in the country with over 2,000 students. The building will occupy the northeast corner of the block and will accent the existing structure that fronts along Taylor Street. The new building is scheduled to open in August 2009 and will feature five classrooms and a 200 seat seminar space. For more information, please visit: Groundbreaking ushers in new era for ASU Nursing
