Santa Cruz Commerce Center to be site of new manufacturing facility. The Ak-Chin Indian Community has agreed to a multi-million dollar investment in Quail Run Building Materials, Inc. of Phoenix to build a second site for the company in Ak-Chin’s industrial park. Read more about it at Indian Country Today Media Network.

Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board welcomes Native Dezine Printz to the Office Center. Native Dezine Printz is a screen printing, embroidery and promotional merchandise company owned by tribal member, Erica Manuel. Currently, Erica occupies Suite J in the Santa Cruz Office Center and operates her business by appointment. She is busy updating her website www.nativedezineprintz.com, and promoting her business on Facebook.

Desert Star Gymnastics got off to a high-flying start at their new location in the Mesquite Building at Santa Cruz Commerce Center.

About 250 gymnast hopefuls and their families flocked to the Grand Opening on October 6 and enjoyed food and fun, performances and prizes.

Current students showed off some of the skills they’ve learned while new applicants lined up to try out the new facilities.

Desert Star owner Amy Bratlie was very pleased with the enthusiasm for her new facility. “I think this is going to be a great location for us,” said Amy. “We are drawing new people from Casa Grande as well as Maricopa!”

We welcome Desert Star to our Community and encourage you to check out all their classes and specials at www.desertstargynastics.net. Also “Like” them on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/DSGAZ to follow their latest news and events.

SCCC welcomes Desert Star Gymnastics! In their new location at the Mesquite Building, Desert Star will be featured in a larger facility with 40’ trampoline and in-ground pit. Check all the new programs they’ve added, their birthday party program, and online registration — www.desertstargymnastics.net

AJP Electric, under the supervision of Armstrong Consultants, recently completed updating the markings on the Ak-Chin Regional Airport runway. After a 30-day cure period, a final striping will be completed to make the markings more reflective.

The $1 million renovation project at the Ak-Chin Regional Airport is proceeding on schedule.  In the  photo below, AJP Electric oversees the pouring of a concrete slab next to the FBO building for the above-ground electrical vault that will serve power to the new Airport beacon, reactivated fuel tank and future runway and taxiway lighting that is planned for 2013 construction.

An on-site inspector from Armstrong Consultants ensures all work conforms to engineering documents and FAA standards.

Orange cones/barriers (shown below) guide pilots through the construction area in accordance with FAA standards.

A full closure of the Airport for two weeks is expected for final resurfacing.  Check back for more construction updates.

A new logo for the renamed Ak-Chin Regional Airport was recently unveiled. Designed by NICE Creative of Tempe, the logo features an eagle taking flight while a stylized plane underscores the Airport’s theme, “Where Successful Business Takes Off.”

The new Ak-Chin Regional Airport logo

Build-to-suit option now offered at Santa Cruz Commerce Center. The Ak-Chin Community Council and Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board have agreed to offer a build-to-suit option to well-qualified tenants at its Santa Cruz Commerce Center. With shovel-ready lots ranging from 1.2 acres and up, the fully improved industrial park currently has more than 50 acres immediately available. “This option gives a business the opportunity to get a customized facility with a reduced upfront capital outlay,” said Board Chairman, Charles Carlyle. Leasing inquiries for the Commerce Center can be directed to Phil Entz, 520-568-3246.

Xpressions Center for the Arts opens in Suite E of the Mesquite Building. Xpressions Center for the Arts mission is to encourage our students’ passion for the arts in a family focused environment. Xpressions is designed to allow a complete immersion into all areas of the arts including Theatre, Cheer, Dance, Fine Arts, Music, Martial Arts and more. Xpressions Center for the Arts, will perform multiple shows throughout the year including various musicals, plays, dances, art shows and concerts, and will have an annual talent showcase that will feature all aspects of the school. In addition, they will host and visit additional workshops, professional shows, and conventions throughout the year including a professional talent agency casting. For more information, call 520-705-9648 or visit www.xpressionscfa.com.

Armstrong Consultants to design master plan and layout plans for the Ak-Chin Regional Airport, formerly known as the Phoenix Regional Airport. The master plan by Armstrong Consultants includes the Airport property itself as well as the surrounding properties. The Plans will establish the phasing for future improvements of the airport facilities. The plan is expected to be completed by August 30, 2012.

Phoenix Regional Airport renamed the Ak-Chin Regional Airport. The Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board and Ak-Chin Community Council announced the new name after considering submissions from a month-long Airport Renaming Contest held in the Community. The Airport property was purchased in 2006 and encompasses an area of approximately 450 acres with one 5,000 ft. runway. Armstrong Consultants, who specializes in airport engineering, has just completed the design for improvements at the Airport. The improvements will include renovations of the runway and taxiway, new runway lighting, renovation of the FBO (Fixed Base Operations) building and additional enhancements. Initial construction is planned to begin in April of 2012.

Dibble Engineering selected to perform an overall comprehensive drainage study for Ak-Chin Regional Airport and surrounding properties. The purpose of the study by Dibble Engineering is to provide tools for proper storm water management. The report is expected to be complete March 31, 2012.

Armstrong Consultants to start design improvements at Phoenix Regional Airport, owned by the Ak-Chin Indian Community. The improvements will include renovations of the runway and taxiway, new runway lighting, renovation of the FBO building and additional enhancements. Engineering of the first improvements is expected to be complete in October 2011, with initial construction beginning in November or December. Armstrong Consultants specialize in airport engineering and maintain offices in Grand Junction, Colorado and Gilbert, Arizona.

Second office/warehouse flex building in Santa Cruz Commerce Center now in design by Stroh Architecture of Prescott, Arizona. The new building will be located on lots 12 & 13 at the cul-de-sac on Miguel Street, fronting the Maricopa/ Casa Grande Highway. The approximately 13,000 s.f. building will accommodate multiple tenants. The building is being designed to accommodate a variety of users, including those desiring fully air-conditioned office/showroom spaces, or those desiring more typical office/warehouse set-ups. Reservations are being accepted now.

Renovation of M&S Equipment building complete. The Ak-Chin Indian Community completed a renovation of the building that is leased to M&S Equipment. Renovations included replacing the roof and all overhead doors; updating air-conditioning and evaporative cooling systems; and refreshing all exterior surfaces, installing a stone façade and architectural features to complement the new standard of quality established for the Commerce Center.

Hit-N-Pitch Batting Cages celebrates Grand Opening with free batting time and baseballs for kids. Maricopa’s only indoor batting cages offers three baseball and softball batting/pitching cages for individual and team practice or just family fun. Cage rental prices range from $15 for 15 minutes to $35 for 60 minutes.

CrossFit BattleFit opens doors in Suite B in the Santa Cruz Commerce Center. Having outgrown the garage gym owners Nathan and Matthew Maxcy started two years ago, the Commerce Center gives CrossFit’s trainers and clients additional space to experience their maverick brand of strength and conditioning.

CrossFit BattleFit leases Suite B in new office/warehouse complex at Commerce Center. CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program used by many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide. However, it can be scaled to the needs of the individual, regardless of starting fitness levels.

Hit-N-Pitch Batting Cages leases Suites C & D in Commerce Center office/warehouse flex space. Hit-N-Pitch is the lifelong dream of owners, Albert and Marissa Bandin. With four boys who all play baseball, plus Albert’s coaching of the Arizona Diablos 10U baseball travel team, the Bandins found they spent the majority of their time on the field or in the batting cages. But there were no training facilities in Maricopa. Now Hit-N-Pitch will offer three indoor baseball and softball batting/pitching tunnels and will be poised to offer camps as well as private batting and pitching instruction by former MLB players. And unlike other facilities further away, players can use their game bats for practice, since Hit-N-Pitch will use real baseballs at its facility.

New office/warehouse complex is substantially complete at Commerce Center. Norquay Construction begins tenant improvements. Norquay is in the finishing phase of construction of the new office/warehouse flex space at the Commerce Center and is already busy with tenant improvements. The new office/warehouse flex space already has received Letters of Intent from tenants, eager to lease three of the five suites. Backup offers are also being accepted. Lower lease and utility rates, long-term leases, and substantial tax savings are just some of the benefits offered to tenants of the Commerce Center.

Construction of the new office/ warehouse flex space in the Commerce Center is well underway. The excitement is building as the new office/ warehouse complex is on track for completion in March 2011. Each suite features two individually climate-controlled and fully built-out offices, a unisex bathroom and warehouse area with evaporative cooling. Ideal for service or light manufacturing businesses, the 1,522 to 3165 square foot lease spaces can be reserved by contacting Phil Entz at 520-568-3246 or Lester Tsosie at 520-568-1062.

Hickman’s Family Farms installs “Big Bill” at Santa Cruz Commerce Center. “Big Bill” is the newest member to the Hickman’s team at their Ak-Chin Maricopa Farm in the Commerce Center. This advancement in technology was a welcomed addition by Hickman’s staff who loaded millions of egg cases throughout the years. “Big Bill” can hoist 20 half cases of eggs in 60 seconds. That equates to 1,200 half cases every hour. To see “Big Bill” in action, visit www.hickmanseggs.com/gallery_maricopa.html.

Ak-Chin Indian Community celebrated the groundbreaking of its new office/warehouse flex space. The Ak-Chin Indian Community and Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board invited guests to celebrate the groundbreaking of the first of several projects planned for the new Santa Cruz Commerce Center. The featured speakers included: Louis Manuel, Jr, Ak-Chin Indian Community Council Chairman; Marvin Brown, City of Maricopa Councilmember; Lance Ross, Ross Property Advisors, Maria Hernandez, Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board, Vice Chair; and Terry Enos, Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board member. An opening prayer and blessing was offered by Community member, Joseph Enos. The Ak-Chin Dancers, under the direction of Carole Lopez, also performed. A reception followed on site.

Norquay Construction selected as General Contractor for Office/Warehouse Flex Space complex and M&S Equipment renovation. Norquay Construction of Tempe, Arizona, has been selected, to supervise construction of office/warehouse complex in the Santa Cruz Commerce Center. Groundbreaking on this building is set for July 16, 2010, with the construction scheduled for completion in March 2011. Norquay has more than 20 years of construction experience and has effectively completed more than one million square feet in projects ranging from offices, schools, public facilities and industrial developments to retail shops.

Final bids received for Office/Warehouse Flex Space construction. Final Bids have been received from the four finalist General Contractors and are being reviewed by the Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board and Ak-Chin Capital Projects. The submitted bids not only include the new office/warehouse flex complex, but also a major facelift to the building currently leased by M&S Equipment.

July 16 groundbreaking date set for Office/Warehouse Flex Space complex. The Ak-Chin Industrial Park Board and Ak-Chin Capital Projects have set a date of July 16, 2010 for groundbreaking ceremonies for the new office/warehouse building in Santa Cruz Commerce Center. The final selection of a contractor will be complete in June.