Showing posts with label Deer Valley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deer Valley. Show all posts

Turf Paradise to Ride Off Into the Sunset

Jun 19, 2023

For more than 60 years, Turf Paradise has been an iconic horse racing facility in North Phoenix. The 1,400-acre facility is located near 19th Avenue and Bell Road.

Horse Racing in Phoenix

The track is comprised of a clubhouse building that faces a 1-mile dirt oval track. Turf Paradise opened its doors in 1956, offering live thoroughbred horse racing from October - May and simulcast coverage. The track added off-track betting in the 1990s.

 

The facility has changed hands several times during its history, and the current owner is Jerry Simms, who purchased the facility in the year 2000.

The track is locally known for its live horse racing, as well as its many promotional days. The racetrack formerly had “Quarter Days” with 25-cent admission, popcorn, sodas, and other concessions. As time went on, this became “Dollar Days” due to increasing costs. Promotional giveaways included shirts and other memorabilia.

Turf Paradise has occasionally hosted other events, such as flat track motorcycle racing in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

New Ownership

In April 2023, local news stations reported that Simms had signed an agreement to sell the racetrack to CT Realty, a California-based developer. He told Axios that owning the track has been a great experience for the past 23 years, but it’s time to sell. “I’d rather spend time with my grandkids” he said.

What’s Next

The prospective owners of the racetrack say that they plan to continue racing operations for one or two more seasons.

Looking at the CT Realty website, their other projects include logistics park and industrial spaces in California, Texas, Illinois, and New Jersey. A managing partner for CT Realty told news website Axios.com that portions of the Turf Paradise site may be redeveloped “with industrial and multi-family uses” pending city approval. No firm plans have been announced at the time of reporting.

A Developing Area

The area around Turf Paradise has been redeveloping, slowly. Turf Paradise Marketplace including a Super Walmart and Sam’s Club opened just north of the racetrack in 2007.

In 2018, a San Diego developer purchased the 83-acre site of the former Phoenix Northgate development at a public land auction. They swiftly began construction of the Bell 17 Business Park. The site plan calls for 3 Industrial, 3 Flex-Manufacturing, and 5 Corporate Office buildings to be constructed, as well as 2 parking structures and 3 retail pads, totaling approximately 800,000 sq. ft. of uses.


 

A single 101,000 sq. ft. flex building has been completed as of late 2020, which is fully occupied by two tenants at the time of publication in 2023.

Looking Ahead

Redeveloping portions of the Turf Paradise site could continue the improvement of this area going forward. The long term prospects for Turf Paradise may include shutting down racing operations within the next few years.

North Phoenix Development News Update

Jun 12, 2022

Back in 2008 when I started this website, I wanted to write about news targeted to the hyper-local Deer Valley and Norterra region of North Phoenix. The problem was, it was the depths of the Great Recession and all new construction and building came to an abrupt halt.

Now more than a decade later, things have completely turned around. Despite the global pandemic, the stock market is reaching new highs every week. Housing values have jumped tremendously in a short period of time as demand outstrips supply. The 2020 Census revealed that Phoenix is the fastest growing city in the United States from 2010 to 2020, with an 11.9% increase in people, and the only U.S. city to see double-digit growth.

The North Phoenix submarket is reflecting these trends as well. New construction in the Deer Valley and Norterra neighborhoods is booming! Here is a development summary of what has been built in the past 2-ish years and what is currently going in.

Amazon Warehouse

A new Amazon warehouse has been constructed on Pinnacle Peak Road, between 3rd Ave and 7th Ave. Located just north of Deer Valley Road, the building is approximately 145,000 square feet of fulfillment space.

Union Park at Norterra

Union Park at Norterra is a massive 400-acre residential development in Northwest Phoenix. Ground was broken in 2018 with the project scheduled to be completed in multiple phases. The project is a joint venture between Sunbelt Holdings and USAA Real Estate. When completed, the mixed-use community will include single-family homes from three builders, multi-family residential, and a retail district, all centered around a recreation center. The community is also home to Union Park Elementary School, which serves PreK-8 students, and opened in fall 2020. At full build out, the community will feature 1,100 homes.

New homes under construction at Union Park at Norterra in North Phoenix.

New Multifamily Residential

  • Avilla Deer Valley - 23rd Ave and Pinnacle Peak Road
  • Springs at Deer Valley - 23rd Ave and Alameda Road
  • The Retreat at Alameda - NWC 19th Ave and W Alameda Road
  • Town Deer Valley - SWC 19th Ave and W Alameda Road
  • Elux at Deer Valley - SEC 19th Ave and Happy Valley Road
  • FirstStreet at Happy Valley - 17th Ave and Happy Valley Road


New Hotels

  • Holiday Inn & Suites Express - N 23rd Ave and W Whispering Wind Dr.
  • Best Western Plus Executive Residency - N 21st Ave and W Whispering Wind Dr.
  • WoodSpring Suites - N 23rd Ave and W Alameda Road

Best Western Plus / Executive Residency is one of three new hotels recently opened in the Norterra area.


New Commercial Businesses

  • Dollar Self Storage - 23rd Ave and Whispering Wind Dr.
  • Discount Tire - 23rd Ave and Happy Valley Road
  • Cobblestone Auto Spa - 18th Ave and Happy Valley Road
  • Greulich's Automotive Repair - 17th Ave and Happy Valley Road
  • AutoZone - 17th Ave and Happy Valley Road
  • Brakes Plus - 18th Ave and Happy Valley Road
  • SmartStop Self Storage - 17th Ave and Happy Valley Road
  • Caliber Collision - 23rd Ave and N Farmers Way
  • Mesquite Fresh Street Mexican Food - 17th Ave and Happy Valley Road


New Grocery Stores

  • Fry's Food Stores - I-17 and Jomax Road (across from Fire Station 55)


TSMC Supplier Sites

Other big chunks of land in the area are being snapped up for development of supplier sites for the Taiwan Semiconductor Factory (TSMC) which is under construction at Interstate 17 and the Loop 303 Freeway.

A conceptual rendering of what the TSMC factory in North Phoenix may look like.

 

Former Honeywell Plant to Become Microsoft Data Center

Jun 10, 2015

One of the largest private employers in Arizona is Honeywell, who has employed thousands of people throughout the Valley since the mid 1950s. Honeywell's Phoenix operations are a major center for aircraft and avionics manufacturing.

In 2008, the company underwent a major re-structuring which left one of their large facilities in North Phoenix completely vacant.

A recent article in the Phoenix Business Journal states that the old Honeywell plant at 25th Avenue and Union Hills will be getting a new tenant soon! The 575,000 square-foot building is likely to become a new data center for Microsoft!


John C. Lincoln Sonoran Health Center Under Construction

May 1, 2013

In spite of the recessed economy, there are still signs of growth in North Phoenix. Local healthcare provider John C. Lincoln is hard at work building a new facility at Interstate 17 just south of Carefree Highway.

The "Sonoran Health and Emergency Center" is a multi-story facility which is expected to open in late 2013 or early 2014. When complete, the facility will include hospital beds for up to 120 patients. This will allow John C. Lincoln to serve the growing communities of Anthem, New River, and Black Canyon City with medical care in a convenient location.

North Phoenix Full of Empty Office Buildings

Sep 6, 2009

Commercial Office Buildings For Rent in North Phoenix, AZFor decades the Deer Valley Airpark area has been one of the fastest growing regions of commercial real estate in North Phoenix, but these days it's looking more and more like a ghost town.

If you were to drive the two-mile stretch of road between Deer Valley Road and Happy Valley Road like I did today, you would see a startling number of For Rent signs in a sea of mirrored glass buildings. So why are there so many empty office buildings in North Phoenix?

Experience Classic Car Nirvana at Desert Valley Auto Parts

Jul 10, 2009

Desert Valley Auto Parts - North Phoenix, AZWhen it comes to car parts, it's no secret that the junkyards of Phoenix are among the best in the country. Cars do not get rusty and corroded here, thanks to the dry air and mild winters. This is the perfect climate for a place like Desert Valley Auto Parts.

Desert Valley is very different from your typical junkyard. It is a place that classic car enthusiasts might describe as the "mother lode." It's been featured in Car Craft, Mopar Muscle, and dozens of other magazines. It is a place of legendary status, like the Fountain of Youth or the Seven Cities of Gold.

Fireworks Display at Deer Valley Park 2023

Jun 24, 2009

Fireworks at Deer Valley ParkFor years, the City of Phoenix has held an Independence Day celebration at Deer Valley Park on the week before Independence Day. This annual event is held for residents of Phoenix looking to celebrate the 4th of July without the hassle of going to a major event such as Fabulous Phoenix 4th. It is a low-key way to enjoy the fireworks from a large neighborhood park in the Northwest Valley.

"After Dark in the Park" returns on Saturday, June 24, 2023!


This family-friendly and free will include live music, inflatables, food vendors, and a spectacular fireworks display starting at 8:45 pm.


What: Independence Day Celebration with Fireworks Display
Where: Deer Valley Park, 19602 North 19th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027
When: Saturday, June 22, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (Fireworks at 8:45pm)
Cost: FREE
Bring: Picnic blanket, chairs, and the family


Get Revved Up at Speed Sports USA in North Phoenix

May 7, 2009

Update: Speed Sports has gone out of business and their website is down.

An unassuming warehouse just north of Deer Valley Airport is home to one of North Phoenix's most underrated attractions.

It is here that contestants meet to do battle, where the difference between victory and defeat is measured in seconds, and where the only rule is: "No frowning."

Okay, I made that last one up. But you'd never know it wasn't really a rule, because everyone at Speed Sports USA sure smiles a lot. In fact, it's kind of contagious. There was a sense of excitement in the air as I stopped by to check it out one Saturday night.

North Phoenix High Rise Hotel Close to Completion

Apr 14, 2009

Drury Inn and Suites Happy ValleyDeer Valley's newest high rise hotel is getting close to completion.

The hotel is currently under construction at 23rd Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road, just East of Interstate 17. When the 7-story structure is finished, it will be the new home of Drury Inn and Suites. With a total of 180 rooms, the Drury will be the largest hotel in North Phoenix.

Drury is a family-owned hotel chain that was first founded in Missouri. Arizona's first Drury Hotel opened in Flagstaff earlier this year. The Drury Inn and Suites Happy Valley will be their second Arizona location. Additionally, Drury owns and operates 115 hotels in 17 states according to their website.

City of Phoenix to Open Agave Library This Summer

Apr 13, 2009

UPDATE: The Agave Library has been open since June 20, 2009.

If you haven't been up to North Phoenix in a while, you may not have known that a new branch of the Phoenix Public Library is set to open its doors this summer.

Agave Public Library, Phoenix, AZLocated just down the road from the Goelet A. Beuf Community Center, the new Agave Library is on the corner of 36th Avenue just North of Pinnacle Peak Road. This will be very convenient for people in the Deer Valley and North Gateway areas.

According to the Phoenix Public Library website, funding for the Agave Library was approved in a 2001 bond election, and construction began in the fall of 2007.


North Phoenix Blog Exclusive Interview with Mike Montalvo of CollabLab

Mar 29, 2009

CollabLab Coworking Space in North PhoenixMany small businesses in Arizona are feeling the pinch during these tough economic times. Among the hardest hit are the independent and self-employed professionals of North Phoenix.

In every industry from web design and graphic arts to freelance accounting and architecture, the struggle to keep their heads above water is constant. Fortunately, local entrepreneur Mike Montalvo has a solution.

What if there were a place for freelancers to meet and exchange ideas? What if they could network with like-minded individuals in a positive environment? What if they could offer suggestions and provide constructive criticism to one another?

These are the ideals at the root of the "coworking" movement, where freelancers and independents enjoy the synergy that is created when they come together in a collaborative working environment. Fostering this collaborative work environment is the goal of Mr. Montalvo's newest venture, appropriately dubbed "CollabLab."

New QuikTrip Under Construction in North Phoenix

Mar 17, 2009

North Phoenix QuikTrip Store Under ConstructionTimes are tough for many businesses in Phoenix, but one company continues to build and expand its network of convenience stores.

North Phoenix's newest QuikTrip store is now under construction at the Southwest corner of 19th Avenue and the Loop 101 freeway. For the past couple of weeks I have watched as construction crews cleared the land and prepared it for building. Just the other day, a friend told me about the newly installed sign confirming it will be a QuikTrip.

The new store will join three other North Phoenix locations including 17th Avenue and Bell Road, 7th Street and Loop 101, and the Cave Creek Road and Deer Valley Road store.

John Travolta's Airplane Spotted at Deer Valley Airport

Mar 15, 2009

N707JT on the tarmac at KDVTThe neat thing about living right by the busiest general aviation airport in the country is that you never know who's going to drop in.

Just the other day I was driving past Deer Valley Airport when I noticed a large red tail sticking up into the sky. I pulled over to take a couple of pictures of the aircraft, a Boeing 707-138 wearing red and white Quantas livery.

An aircraft this large is certainly an unusual sight at Deer Valley, where Pipers and Cessnas are standard fare for most pilots. The aircraft's tail number, N707JT, is known by planespotters to be registered to actor and pilot John Travolta.

Deer Valley Magazine Publishes Best of Deer Valley 2009 Guide

Mar 12, 2009

The Copper Star Bank was voted Best of Deer Valley 2009 by Deer Valley MagazineWhen in Phoenix, do as the Phoenicians do.

Fortunately for residents and visitors to the North Phoenix area, there is now a complete guide to the Deer Valley area. Deer Valley Magazine has recently published its "Best of Deer Valley 2009" list, which includes all types of local businesses from restaurants to financial and legal services.

When you want the top-rated businesses and services in North Phoenix, look to the Best of Deer Valley guide for their expert recommendations. You can pick up a free copy of Deer Valley Magazine at any of the fine locations listed on their website.

For the rest of the Phoenix area, be sure to check out the "Best of Phoenix" directory from the Phoenix New Times. What are some of your favorite places near Deer Valley Airport? Post your comments below!

More Hotels Sprout Up in Norterra Shopping Center

Jan 11, 2009

Recently, I wrote about the trio of new hotels that opened up in North Phoenix last year. "What's up with all of these new hotels?" I wondered. It would appear I spoke too soon, because two more hotels have also sprouted up in the same area! Seriously, the paint on the walls has barely dried and these places already had guests arriving when I went to check them out. Let's take a closer look:

Hampton Inn and Suites
Hilton Inn Suites Happy ValleyThe Hampton Inn and Suites Happy Valley opened in December of 2008. It is located on Charlotte Drive, behind the Super Wal-Mart on I-17 and Happy Valley Road. The four-story hotel has 125 rooms and suites, all of which include Hampton's "Cloud 9" beds and linens.

Guests will enjoy a full list of freebies such as flat-screen TVs with premium channels, wireless Internet, local calls, shuttle service, breakfast, USA Today newspaper, coffee and cookies in the lobby, and an outdoor pool and spa. The freebies you get here are better than the comps at many Las Vegas casinos!

Come Stay With Us: Deer Valley Opens 3 New Hotels

Nov 28, 2008

In a recent post, I wondered if North Phoenix was expanding fast enough to accommodate nine new banks within two miles of each other. It's a road we'll travel down once more, because this year we have seen three new hotels open up within one mile of each other, for a total of 432 new rooms available in the area.

Marriott Residence Inn Hotel - Phoenix
Marriott Residence Inn Happy Valley Phoenix, AZThe new Residence Inn by Marriott is now open on Whispering Wind Road, right next door to the Courtyard by Marriott. The two properties are located about a half mile off the Interstate 17, so you can sleep soundly away from the roar of traffic. The Residence Inn is a five-story building with 129 guest rooms. It's a no-nonsense kind of place with quality where it counts. Let me explain what I mean.

Deer Valley Rock Art Center is a Hidden Gem

Nov 24, 2008

It is fairly common for Arizona transplants to criticize Phoenix as a sprawling metropolis devoid of culture and history. For some reason, people love to move to Arizona and accuse the city of being nothing but an endless sea of shopping malls and housing developments.

Deer Valley Rock Art Center EntranceOne of my goals in starting this blog was to show the world that this simply isn't true, and the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve (formerly the Rock Art Center) is a perfect example of what a rich and diverse place Phoenix really is.

The Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve is a historically and culturally important part of North Phoenix. It is nestled at the base of Hedgpeth Hills in the Adobe Dam Recreation Area, just west of 35th Avenue on Deer Valley Road.


An Honest Review of Culver's Deer Valley

Nov 2, 2008

Overview
If you do not venture up near the Deer Valley Airport on a regular basis, then you may not have heard of Culver's by now. It's the newest contestant in the battle for fast food supremacy along Deer Valley Road, and it's going to be a tough one to beat.

Culver's North Phoenix, ArizonaThe Wisconsin-based franchise has selected Arizona for its newest test market. Culver's Deer Valley opened up earlier this year, in March of 2008. Besides the Phoenix location, there is another one in Mesa and a third one under construction in Surprise. That's a very small number of restaurants and if you do not live nearby, you may be wondering if it's worth the drive. Maybe I should start by explaining what makes Culver's different from the other fast food franchises.

Luxury Car Dealerships Cruise Into Deer Valley

Oct 5, 2008

It comes as no surprise that Phoenix is a hotbed of activity for automotive enthusiasts. From our growing network of freeways to our laughable public transportation system, there is no question that Phoenix is a drivers' town. I believe it has a lot to do with the fact that people in Phoenix just like driving.Every year in January, a mass migration of motorheads takes place in North Scottsdale where the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction is held. There's just something about the dry desert air and mild winter climate provides the perfect atmosphere for millionaires to mingle with rare and collectible automobiles.

Battle of the Banks

Sep 7, 2008

In the peaceful desert landscape near Deer Valley Airport, a storm cloud has been brewing for the last two years. The air has grown heavy with anticipation as 9 different opponents prepare to do battle. They have chosen North Phoenix as the arena, and it's going to be one heck of a fight.

Okay, so maybe it's not a fight in the traditional sense with guns and soldiers. But the competition for your business will be fierce with 9 new banks opening along a two-mile stretch of road. That's right; nine different banks have locations staked out along 19th Avenue between Deer Valley Road and Happy Valley Road. All of them are brand new locations constructed within the past two years. Let's take a look at the contenders:

 

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