MICROSOFT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WILL KEEP GUESTS CONNECTEDAT SHERATON’S NEWLY BRANDED SIGNATURE COMMUNICATIONS HUB:“LINK AT SHERATON EXPERIENCED WITH MICROSOFT”  WHITE PLAINS, NY – May 14, 2008 – Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Microsoft Corp. announced today a partnership to implement products and services at the “Link @ Sheraton,” its signature communications hub rolling out in Sheraton lobbies this year. Under the agreement, Sheraton will also co-brand and rename the space “The Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft.” The partnership is one component of a comprehensive effort to enhance and differentiate the guest experience at Sheraton’s 408 hotels across 75 countries, currently rolling out globally.   Sheraton’s Link is a unique virtual and physical lobby lounge space that meets the needs of Sheraton’s core guests by enabling them to work, relax and remain connected with friends and family during their travels. It offers a unique and convenient online experience, including free Wi-Fi and Internet-enabled computer stations, to allow guests to email, search the Web, review local attractions and even print up boarding passes. Through its relationship with Microsoft, the new, enhanced “Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft” will offer Windows-based computers providing visitors with search, maps, email and information. In addition, many Link computers will also feature webcams, allowing guests to have free video-chats or email video postcards back home. Guests will also have access to televisions, daily newspapers, and food and beverage offerings.

PHOENIX (April 7, 2008) – Still six months out from its official opening, the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown has exceeded its projections for advance group bookings, reaching the $52 million benchmark – a goal that the hotel had hoped to reach by the October opening. “Downtown Phoenix has emerged as a first tier destination, and reaching this ambitious goal so far out is a testament to the quality of this city, this hotel, and those people who have represented us so well” said Steve Spivak, director of sales and marketing at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. “Despite what’s happening in the economy, we’re encouraged by not only the number of commitments we’ve secured, but also the continued inquiries we’re fielding from all different markets.” Since the hotel’s sales effort began in early 2006, in cooperation with the Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, the sales team has secured commitments from groups varying in size from 50 to 2500 attendees. Committed groups include European software giant SAP and National Automobile Dealers Association. And like other Downtown venues, the Sheraton anticipates a major boost when Phoenix hosts the NBA All-Star game in 2009. With a projected on-time opening of October 1, 2008, the highly anticipated 1000-room Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel will be Arizona’s newest and largest hotel, offering luxury accommodations in the heart of Phoenix. Located in Downtown Phoenix, Sheraton boasts more than 80,000 square feet of meeting space, 17 meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 2,900 people, and three outdoor function areas. One of the more intriguing amenities of the new Sheraton is the Link at Sheraton, featuring the Link Café.  “The Link is a third place, we want our guest to have an option between the meeting room and their hotel room, an area that allows guests to connect with home or work or with each other.” said Spivak. The Link features complimentary Internet access, soft seating, flat panel TVs and a signature café experience that is social but not bar-like. Sheraton is rolling out the concept at all of its properties as part of Starwood’s focus on its largest and most recognizable brand.   The Sheraton’s 29,000-square-foot ballroom and 15,000-square-foot junior ballroom are an ideal location for annual fundraisers, training sessions or trade shows. High-tech presentations and business meetings can be held in one of two boardrooms offering state-of-the-art technology, video-conferencing capabilities and on-site audio-visual staff. Additional amenities include the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper^SM Beds, a 3,500-square-foot fitness center programmed by Core Fitness and a 4,000-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck.  The Sheraton is located in the center of the bustling Copper Square. It is the first hotel that has been built in Downtown Phoenix since 1976. It is owned by the City of Phoenix and managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts. It strives to be a place that is warm and comforting, second only to home, where visitors can come to connect and belong. For more information visit www.sheraton.com/phoenixdowntown.

I'm inviting downtown residents and anyone interested in downtown Phoenix to join me at a Community Coffee this Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Palette, 606 North Fourth Avenue (the corner of Fourth Ave. and Fillmore). This is the first in a series of Saturday morning meetings I'll be hosting quarterly at different locations throughout the downtown area. They are meant to give us all a chance to meet informally to talk about timely topics plus any topic on your mind related to downtown Phoenix. Plus, they are meant to give us a chance to drink coffee! This Saturday, Phil Richards, Chair of the Phoenix Parks and Preserves Board and Initiative campaign, will join me. He’ll provide information about the Initiative, also known as Proposition A, which is on the May 20, 2008 ballot. However, the majority of the hour will be devoted to Q & A. You’re welcome to buy your own breakfast from Palette (check them out at www.downtownbrunch.com) – but the coffee is on me!No RSVPs are required. Hope to see you there!

The most recent news in the last 2 weeks in Phoenix now finds Buyers pitted against each other, and against the savvy local investors, in a bidding war for properties in Phoenix.

Real Estate has dropped so low in Phoenix in some areas, that the $125k to $175k price range is now actually deluged with multiple offers.

Realtors are beginning to ask, "Is this the end of the downturn?" as they are losing out to other competing Realtors down the street and having to become aggressive again in their advice to, and bids on behalf of their clients.

Keep your eyes open and ears tuned in for the "psychological turn" that's coming soon.  Phoenix has always grown, and as the purchasing picks up, values will once again rise quickly off the bottom.

Thanks to FHA and $0 Down Ameridream Down Payment Gift Assistance, owner occupants can still enjoy the 0 down benefits of a great 30 year fixed, low rate guaranteed by FHA.

If you're interested in not missing the bottom, consider preparing quickly with your finance options, so you'll be prepared when you see the first Arizona Republic Headlines soon say, "PRICES RISING FOR FIRST TIME IN 2 YEARS".

Andrew Schmidt, Nations Home Funding BK0905991

ACSchmidt4@aol.com 602.371.8600

I was very hungry at about 11 AM today and was in search of a place to grab some breakfast.  Drove by Matt's Big Breakfast but the line was way too long for me.  Had a "bright idea" that I would maybe stop at the Downtown Public Market and grab something to eat and check up on things there.  I happened on a Vendor Booth serving Breakfast Burritos, sorry I didn't grab their card or remember their name, but armed with my Breakfast Burrito, I headed over to the seating area where I proceeded to devour my Breakfast Burrito while listening to a very "smooth" jazz trio called MJS.  I'm assuming that MJS are the first initials of the trio's members.  Anyway, they were very talented and pleasant people as well.  They had some very attentive fans including a couple of "extremely young fellows" who you can spot in the photo in this post. 

As I was leaving, had the opportunity to take a photo of some lovely ladies visiting the Market from the Sun Lakes area.

The Downtown Public Market is open on Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM and Wednesdays from 4 PM to 8 PM.

The largest contemporary art gallery in the West, Bentley Projects is located in a renovated 1918 Downtown Phoenix warehouse featuring soaring ceilings with clerestory windows and distinctive architectural details. Home to large-scale paintings, sculpture, photography and print exhibitions by mid-career local and internationally recognized artists, Bentley Projects also exhibits site-specific installations providing visitors with a unique experience at each visit.

Hosting an event? We have the space.

Bentley Projects can accommodate a variety of events ranging from large
receptions with live music for up to 600 guests, to sit-down dinners
for up to 350 guests, intimate cocktail parties, weddings, or business
meetings - all in a setting unlike any other in Arizona.

For more information visit our website or contact events@bentleygallery.com

I'm suscribed to this email update (below) from the Downtown Phoenix Partnership. 

You can sign up for this newsletter or other Copper Sqaure updates by visiting http://www.coppersquare.com/email/

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

The Link @ Sheraton will offer a unique and convenient online experience that will enable guests to surf the Internet, email loved ones, review local favorite attractions and even print up boarding passes. Customized features include free Wi-Fi and broadband Internet-enabled lounge installations in Sheraton hotel lobbies. The Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft was born out of guests' needs to have a sense of community and belonging while on the road.  In keeping with Sheraton's core values of warm, comforting, connections, the Link@Sheraton provides a place within Sheraton where guests can keep up with what's important to them, where they can work, relax, fit in and feel part of a community. 

The Link Café, which will be conveniently located next to the Link@Sheraton, will open early every day offering freshly brewed Starbucks® coffee, breakfast pastries, fresh fruit and sandwich selections. It's the perfect spot to relax over a cup of coffee, or grab one to go.

As seen on Arizona Republic website in March 2008:
Tour of Bentley Projects 22,000 sq ft art gallery and private event space.

Take Tour Now

Bentley Projects will be open Sunday March 9th from 12-6pm for Downtown Phoenix's anual Art Detour. Currently on view:

Internationally renowned Pat Steir's site-specific installation:

Tucson based artist Carrie Seid's Emergent Features:

Please contact Bentley Projects at 602.340.9200 for further information.