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Mesa's Mekong Plaza expansion expected to open in late 2024
The much-anticipated Mekong Plaza expansion is expected to open by the end of the year, its developer tells Axios Phoenix.Why it matters: The plaza was the catalyst for what has become Mesa's Asian District, the state's largest collection of Asian restaurants, grocery stores and shops.The big picture: The 32,000-square-foot addition to Mekong Plaza will bring even more options, including Haidilao, China's largest hot pot chain.Zoom in: Drew Burtoni, Mekong Real Estate Investment Group development manager, told Axios that Haidilao typically seeks high-end areas and malls for its chain, which shows how far Mesa's Asian District has come.Flashback: Mekong Plaza opened in a shuttered Target in 2008.Burtoni said his father-in-law has operated grocery stores in California for decades and heard there was a demand for Asian goods in the Valley. He chose Mesa because of its easy freeway access.There are now more than 70 Asian businesses within a 2-mile radius of Mekong Plaza.
Olympics guide: How to watch and support Arizona athletes
Friday's opening ceremony marks the official start of the Paris Olympics and Team USA has plenty of locally connected talent to root for.By the numbers: Among the 10,500 athletes competing this year:Seven are from metro PhoenixFive play for one of Phoenix's pro teams38 attended ASU, UofA or NAUWho to watch:🛹 Jagger Eaton: The Mesa native is a five-time X Games medalist who took home the bronze in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.He's competing in street skateboarding on Saturday.🤸🏼♀️ Jade Carey: The Phoenix gymnast won the gold medal for her floor routine in 2021 and will join Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles,...
Why some Phoenix offices sit empty and others can't keep up with demand
Data: Moody's; Chart: Alice Feng/AxiosThere's a tale of two office markets unfolding in the Valley: Nearly a quarter of our office space sits vacant, and yet we don't have enough high-end buildings to meet employer demand.The big picture: The pandemic seems to have permanently changed the way many Americans work, and companies don't need as much space as they once did.Yes, but: The businesses that have returned to in-person work often want luxury headquarter-like buildings with amenities that make leaving the house worthwhile.Just in the past few months, PulteGroup Inc. and WillScot Mobile Mini announced they would relocate their Phoenix...
Six Democrats seeking chance to wrest Schweikert's seat from the GOP
Six Democrats are vying for the chance to challenge a longtime Republican incumbent and flip what might be Arizona's most competitive congressional district from red to blue.The big picture: Democrats view Arizona's 1st Congressional District, based in Scottsdale and northeast Phoenix, as a top pickup opportunity.The district is represented by Republican Rep. David Schweikert.Schweikert has served in the House since 2010, winning re-election two years ago by about 3,200 votes.These are the six candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in CD1:Andrei Cherny is former assistant Arizona attorney general and state Democratic Party chair, and he previously served as CEO of Aspiration,...
4 things to do in Phoenix this weekend
The weekend is calling your name. Answer with some fun plans.🚌 3rd Annual Adult Field TripHead to the Children's Museum on Friday for an evening of cocktails, cafeteria food and raffle prizes. This event benefits the Million Dollar Teacher Project.Tickets from $125🎭 Nick Cartell: A Thousand SpotlightsScottsdale-born Broadway star Nick Cartell will be at ASU Kerr on Friday to share stories of his time performing in shows like "Les Misérables" and "Jesus Christ Superstar."$10 general admission🐊 Croc WalkTake a twilight walk to see crocs and gators Saturday night at the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary.$35 for adults, $25 for children🍻 Barre in the Beer GardenTake a yoga mat to Greenwood Brewing on Sunday night for a dance-inspired workout class.$15, which includes a 5 oz. post-workout pour
How a Kamala Harris nomination could shift Arizona electoral math
Political strategists and pollsters are scrambling to determine whether Vice President Kamala Harris' potential nomination will win over Arizona swing voters who had soured on President Biden.The big picture: Within hours of Harris announcing her presidential bid, she became an internet sensation, broke grassroots fundraising records and won the support of virtually every major Democratic Party member.Harris appears to be invigorating voters who had checked out of the race, but it's uncertain whether she'll win over Arizona's moderate and independent voters who helped usher Biden to victory in 2020.Why it matters: Arizona is expected to be one of just six...
“Disorienting”: Basketball greats talk women’s sport surge at WNBA All-Star weekend
Phoenix played host to the WNBA All-Star Game over the weekend at a time that's both exciting and a bit disorienting for female athletes.The big picture: Women's sports, and basketball especially, have finally reached a large and engaged audience, but with it has come uninformed opinions and a lack of appreciation for the great players who came before today's stars, said some of basketball's biggest names, who were joined by soccer legend Megan Rapinoe over the weekend.What they're saying: "I am so excited for what's happening in women's basketball, this is everything all of us that have been involved in...
"Topgolf of Pickleball' slated to open Tempe location this winter
The "Topgolf of Pickleball" is slated to open in south Tempe later this year, just a few miles from the recently shuttered Picklemall.The big picture: The Electric Pickle — a bar, restaurant and pickleball combo — broke ground more than a year ago, and construction is well underway near IKEA and Main Event at Warner and I-10.Zoom in: The Electric Pickle will have indoor and outdoor dining areas, two bars, a pro shop and nine pickleball courts, the Phoenix Business Journal reported.The concept is partially backed by Eureka! Restaurant Group, which opened its first Arizona restaurant in Tempe's Novus Place earlier this year.What they're saying: "We want to create a fun, high-energy food and beverage experience with this giant entertainment concept," Eureka! founder Paul Frederick told the Business Journal.What we're watching: Electric Pickle's Instagram says it will open this winter, but the opening date has been delayed in the past.When it was first announced in 2021, the developers told the Arizona Republic they were aiming to open in 2022 or 2023, and the signage at the construction site still says "Spring 2024."
Sen. Mark Kelly rumored as possible Harris running mate
With President Biden ending his re-election bid, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly is among the names circulating as a possible running mate with Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden and other powerful Democrats quickly endorsed.Why it matters: Kelly could bring a lot of advantages to a national ticket with Harris, including representing a swing state, a sympathetic personal story with his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and cred as a combat veteran and former astronaut.The big picture: Speculation in various media reports was swirling around Kelly and a handful of other prominent Democrats, even before Biden made his decision...
Pro-crytpo group spending nearly $1.4m for Ansari as she and Terán face off in CD3
Outside money is pouring into the contentious Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District as the race enters its home stretch.Why it matters: The south and west Phoenix-based district is overwhelmingly Democratic, so the primary winner will almost definitely win the general election.Only two people have represented the district since 1991, and it's possible that whoever wins this year's election could hold the seat for many years.The big picture: Phoenix City Council member Yassamin Ansari and Raquel Terán, a former state lawmaker and Arizona Democratic Party chair, are vying for the open seat.Valley pediatrician Duane Wooten is also seeking the...
Phoenix company rents backyard pools you don't have to clean
Do you want the luxury of a backyard pool without the maintenance and installation expense? Two Phoenix dads say they have a solution for you.The big picture: Now Pools is a subscription service that installs and maintains an above-ground pool in your backyard during the summer months, and removes it when the weather cools off.Zoom in: Friends Matt Young and Ross Novotny developed the concept in 2020 after realizing they needed a summer outdoor activity for their kids, but didn't want to dedicate half of their yards to a pool they'd only use a few months out of the year...
Maricopa County voter guide: Recorder, treasurer, sheriff and more
High-profile national races are sucking most of the life out of this year's primary election, but metro Phoenix voters will also consider a handful of lesser-known but equally important elected positions.The big picture: There are several competitive primaries for Maricopa County offices and the outcomes could impact criminal justice, policing and the way we vote.Here's your quick guide to the candidates:AttorneyWhy it matters: The county attorney serves as the chief prosecutor in superior court and provides legal counsel to other county offices, school districts and the community college districts.Republican primary: Rachel Mitchell vs. Gina GodbehereMitchell, first appointed as county attorney...
Catch WNBA all-star action, make some bad art and enjoy your weekend in the Valley
Looking for something to do this weekend? We've got you covered.🏀 WNBA All-Star GameTickets to Saturday's All-Star Game are sold out, but you can still see the skills challenge and three-point shooting contest, starting at 6pm Friday.General admission tickets start at $25🎤 HamiltonDon't throw away your shot. Catch the historic hip-hop musical at ASU Gammage, with multiple showings Friday through Sunday, and continuing through July 28.Tickets starting at $49🛶 Neon NightsGo kayaking by neon light and moonlight at Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch. The season-long event begins this weekend with kayaking Friday and Saturday, and runs through Sept. 28.Tickets $50🎨 Bad Art NightNo artistic talent? No problem! Enjoy an evening of "amazingly atrocious art" at Arizona Science Center on Friday from 5-8pm.Individual tickets $25, groups $50🛼 Back to School SkateSummer break isn't quite over, so bring the kids to the roller skating rink with their favorite characters like Bluey, Mario, Pikachu and Spider-Man. Various times on Saturday and Sunday at USA's Skateland Chandler.Skate rental $4.50, admission ranges from $9.50-$12.🏄 Good VibrationsThe Beach Boys tribute band will play your favorites hits at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 8pm on Saturday.Tickets $20
Arizona has one of America's smallest 65+ workforces
Data: BLS; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosArizona has one of the largest senior populations in the U.S., but one of its smallest workforces of people 65 or older.The big picture: Only 15% of Arizonans ages 65 and up were working in 2023, according to preliminary census data for that year.That's well below the national average of 18.7%.Arizona's population people 65+ is lower than all but three states: West Virginia (13.3), Mississippi (13.6) and Arkansas (14.6).Vermont (25.6%), Iowa (23.9%) and Maryland (23.4%) have the highest share of 65-and-up adults in the workforce.Between the lines: The 2024 presidential campaign between Joe Biden and Donald...
Sheriff's office recommends forgery charges in Maricopa Democrats mailer investigation
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is recommending that activist Bruce Franks Jr. be charged with nine felony counts of forgery after an almost-yearlong investigation into a batch of unsent mailers the Maricopa County Democratic Party (MCDP) paid for shortly before the 2022 election.The big picture: The sheriff's office sent its recommendations July 10 to the Pinal County Attorney's Office, which would handle any prosecutions.Forgery is a class 4 felony that carries a penalty of one to 3.75 years in prison.Pinal County Attorney's Office spokesperson Mike Pelton said the agency will review the case and make a decision on whether to...
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