“We are committed to setting a new standard for urban residential living in Phoenix.”
—Nick Benjamin, director, VeLa
Clayco broke ground on Ray Phoenix, a 26-story, 523,000-square-foot residential tower in Phoenix, on May 31. The project is scheduled to be completed in early 2026, the project is being developed as a joint venture between Ray and VeLa. Design is by Johnston Marklee & Associates in collaboration with Lamar Johnson Collaborative.
The design-forward 401-unit multi-family residential building features studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows offering mountain and skyline views. The tower will also house a large fitness center, yoga studio, resort-style outdoor pool, community kitchen, fireplace lounge, sunken lounge with theater experience, indoor and outdoor gardens, as well as 4,500-sq.-ft. retail on the ground floor.
Other features include a street-level art gallery open to the public and a lobby mural by artist Alex Israel.
“We are committed to setting a new standard for urban residential living in Phoenix,” says Nick Benjamin, director of VeLa.
Las Vegas Area’s $250 Million Bus Rapid Transit Project Nears Construction Start
The Southern Nevada Regional Transportation Commission plans to begin construction this year on its $250 million Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit project in Las Vegas, RTC officials announced May 28. The transit agency says the improvements are necessary to provide better accessibility, safety and comfort. for people traveling along the corridor, which receives around 35,000 vehicles and 9,000 travelers in transit every day.
Plans by GCW Engineering Inc., Las Vegas, call for a 12.5-mile corridor between the South Strip Transit Terminal and the Las Vegas Medical District. Maryland Parkway currently has three lanes in each direction plus a center left turn lane.
The project would reconfigure the road to include a shared bus and bike lane on the outside in both directions and replace parts of the center lane with a median. RTC also plans to build 42 shelters and traffic platforms, widen sidewalks, improve crosswalks and replace signals.
Construction will be done in phases, with completion expected in 2026. Officials recently awarded a $129.8 million contract to Las Vegas Paving Corp. for the construction of the Las Vegas portion of the project.
Another contract covering work in Clark County is scheduled to be awarded in July.
The improvements would include bus priority signals, which would allow service to run on the corridor 24/7, as often as every 12 minutes during the day Monday through Saturday and every 15-30 minutes at night, according to the Federal Transit Administration. FTA records). There are 25 transit connections along the route.
The work is also expected to have other benefits, including bringing new economic development opportunities to the area and creating “a stronger sense of identity for Maryland Parkway,” RTC CEO MJ Maynard said in a communicated
“At the same time, the use of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses along the corridor will provide a faster and more environmentally friendly transport option,” he said.
The FTA is helping fund the work with a $149.9 million grant it awarded in April. In a statement, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the “cleaner, better and faster commute” the project is expected to help provide 63,000 residents and the more than 100,000 people who work in the area
– By James Leggate
New Mexico to contribute $12 million to municipal energy efficiency efforts
The New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources (EMNRD) awarded $11.78 million in grants to eight projects across New Mexico through the Community Efficiency Development Block Grant Act , helping efforts that provide financial support for residential energy efficiency improvements in underserved communities.
The act empowers local governments, in partnership with community organizations, to address the impacts of climate change by helping low-income households reduce energy bills and harmful emissions while creating job opportunities.
“This program has the potential to change the way people live and feel in their homes, giving them a renewed sense of comfort and real money in their pockets,” says Rebecca “Puck” Stair, Director of the Conservation Division and Energy Management of EMRND, which administers the program.
The New Mexico Legislature provided $10 million in funding for the program, and the US Department of Energy provided the remaining $1.78 million.
New Mexico municipalities with projects selected for the initial round of funding are Albuquerque, Aztec, Bernalillo, Las Cruces, the City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County and Taos County. The New Mexico Finance Authority is also receiving funding for its effort to bring fuel switching and lower energy costs to rural residents.
The Innovate48 industrial park project opens near the Phoenix airport
Ryan Cos. has broken ground alongside joint venture partner Alidade Capital LLC on the Innovate48 Industrial Park at the corner of 48th Street and Washington Street, one mile from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The 163,000-square-foot institutional-grade Class A industrial building is adjacent to the Valley Light Rail Station and less than a quarter-mile from access to Interstates 10 and 17. The building will with 25 high gates, 18 trailer stalls, four level gates and a fully insured concrete truck ramp, as well as 3,500 square feet of speculative office space.
Butler Design Group is the architect of record for the project, which is being developed and built by Ryan.
Josh Tracy, senior vice president of real estate with Ryan, said in a statement that more manufacturing, logistics and semiconductor companies continue to relocate to Arizona.
Las Vegas gets RAISE grant for Stewart Avenue overhaul
Las Vegas has received $23.9 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s RAISE Grant program to rebuild Stewart Avenue into a safer, more convenient and more attractive corridor between downtown Las Vegas and East Las Vegas, the Hispanic core from the city.
Pedestrians and cyclists account for more than 35% of traffic in the corridor, which includes three schools, two parks, a community center and several neighborhood shopping centers. Based on community input, the project will improve the safety of vulnerable road users; encourage circulation on foot, by bicycle and by public transport; increasing affordable and accessible transportation options; give shade; encourage corridor reinvestment and economic opportunities; and improve drainage and flood control facilities.
The city, with its team of consultants, will complete the full design with the intention that construction of the corridor will be completed by January 2029.
