Arizona Business Gazette from Phoenix, Arizona • BG4

4BG THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 ARIZONA BUSINESS GAZETTE Regional Report Mesa will spend up to $2 million to renovate Benedictine downtown campus and facilitate the new partnership with Co- a private co-working business. An agreement unanimously ap- proved by the City Council commits Me- sa the landlord of 225 E. Main Street building to design and build out 10,000 square feet for Bene- dictine to provide to Co- McVay, manager of downtown transformation, told The Ar- izona Republic that the agreement is with Benedictine, not with As a by-product of that agreement, though, the Phoenix-based co-working company will have a build- ing in downtown Mesa for its commer- cial co-working space and to partner with the university, he said. is a key component of our at- tempt to establish a downtown innova- tion McVay said, pointing to university growth, employment expan- sion, investment and innovation in downtown Mesa. will be big part of he said.

This investment in Benedictine comes at the same time Mesa has prom- ised to spend $63.5 million for design and construction of a new building for Arizona State University in the city cen- ter. in the agreement? The city agreed to invest a maximum of $2 million to design and construct second and third improve- ments at the private, Illinois-based uni- Mesa campus to aid the vative education between Benedictine and This will include a new: Building entrance. Reception area. spaces. Restrooms.

Break room and other facility im- provements. will pay for all furniture and equipment inside the building. McVay said the city will require proof that Benedictine and have nalized their partnership before con- struction begins. Mesa expects its investment to cre- ate jobs, develop businesses, create en- trepreneurship academic programs, as well as the commercial co-working space, according to a report to the City Council. Mesa also agreed to extend its lease with Benedictine through 2038 and to expand rent reductions for the univer- sity.

The city promises nine more years of rent reduction facilitate Benedic- investment in expanding existing academic programs, developing new academic programs, hiring new faculty and and increasing according to the council report. The annual rent schedule is: $199,998 from December 2019 to July 2022: reduction from $666,660. $333,330 from August 2022 to July 2025; reduction from $666,660. $466,662 from August 2025 to July 2028; reduction from $666,660. $679,500 from August 2028 to July 2029.

$691,500 from August 2029 to July 2030. $703,500 from August 2030 to July 2031. $716,500 from August 2031 to July 2032. $728,500 from August 2032 to July 2033. Market-rate rent based on of appraised fair-market value from Au- gust 2033 to July 2038.

Benedictine will have the option to purchase the property beginning in Au- gust 2033. Per the agreement, by saving money on rent, Benedictine must increase stu- dent enrollment by expanding academ- ic programs and must hire more faculty and The Mesa campus has 568 students, 14 full-time faculty, 38 adjunct faculty and 24 members. Benedictine and must cre- ate a program in entrepre- neurship. must provide scholarships or internships for Benedic- tine students, create 300 jobs over 10 years in its commercial space and host weekly public entrepreneurship com- munity events. The agreement is not directly with but the company must meet certain requirements for Benedic- tine to continue its lease with Mesa, ac- cording to McVay.

Benedictine will have to report to the city each year on scholar- ships, job creation and entrepreneur- ship events. exactly the partnership that we need and will thrive from, so thank you for your patience and persistence and determination to be Councilwom- an Jen who represents downtown Mesa, told and Benedictine president on Monday. More about second co-working loca- tion in the Valley plans to open in Mesa in fall 2020. It opened in central Phoenix in 2010. The co-working space initially planned to open as anchor tenant in the Grid, a massive mixed-use development proposed for a lot next to Benedictine.

During that planning process, Co- agreed to partner with the uni- versity for mentorship and internship opportunities. When plans with the Grid fell through, the company expanded on its partnership with Bene- dictine, McVay said. Founder Jenny Poon and President Odeen Domingo told the council on Monday that Mesa has been three years in the making. That time gave them the opportunity to out a partnership with Benedictine that is re- and energizing, Poon said. Odeen said he is excited to provide entrepreneurship resources to students and impact small businesses and star- tups to drive the local economy.

A key component will be the Co- Institute for Entrepreneurship at Benedictine, a program to introduce students to innovation and business de- velopment, according to the company. The Mesa location is in an opportuni- ty zone an area where developers and investors can get tax breaks on invest- ments so Mesa will also aid entrepreneurs in accessing investment capital in opportunity zones. Have a story about Mesa or Gilbert? Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach or at 602-444- 4282. On Twitter, A version of this article appeared in The Arizona Republic. Mesa approves deal for co-work space City to pay $2M for work at Benedictine campus A design rendering of Mesa at Benedictine University in downtown.

COURTESY OF Alison Steinbach Arizona Republic USA TODAY NETWORK Kitchen has relocated to big- ger, shinier digs, but it gone far. The Mexican restaurant in the Grand Avenue Arts District closed its original location Nov. 28 and has moved into a more spacious location one block down on the northwest cor- ner of 16th Avenue and Roosevelt Street. The restaurant is located in the east- ern wing of the former National Guard armory. Along with more seating, Kitchen also has a larger parking lot, serves alcoholic beverages and will host mariachi bands on select days.

The original menu items, such as the best-selling burritos and huevos rancheros, will remain, con- owner Irma A grand opening was held Friday, Dec. 13. Who is the Irma of Kitchen? is a big change for said with excitement on the phone. In 2015, opened her res- taurant, Kitchen, at 906 N. 15th Avenue, where it became a popular lunch sit-down and pick-up spot for nearby workers, including government employees.

Born in Guatemala City, has lived in Phoenix for about 40 years. While she has had various jobs over the decades, it was her dream to one day own a restaurant, she said. came here with one pair of shoes, one pair of pants, one re- called. used to wash my clothes at night to wear the next Before opening her own business, worked as a dishwasher and then in the construction industry as a roofer, a trade she learned from her husband. later worked in Phoenix Ele- mentary School District where she taught a Success for All program, tu- tored non-English speaking students and did translation at teacher confer- ences.

Eventually, she and her husband opened which her hus- band still runs today, she said. But 62 now and as she got old- er, she work up on the roof anymore, explained. She saw this as an opportunity to start Kitchen, serving food that tastes she described. on the menu at Kitchen serves a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, including: Huevos rancheros with red or green sauce, served with beans and tortilla Shredded beef, carne asada and chicken burritos ($6.50 each). Red beef tamale, enchilada-style, with one taco or cheese enchilada, served with rice and beans has plans to later add more seafood options including ceviche, she said.

The alcohol menu features Hot Hor- chata with Jack Tennessee Fire ($5) and Coo Coo Berry Loca Lem- onade with vodka, fresh berries and Leaving the original Kitchen building meant also had to leave behind her guest book the green walls where customers had scrawled their names and notes. Her new walls are bare of scribbles, but she wants to designate one section where custom- ers can still leave their mark. Details: 1614 W. Roosevelt Phoe- nix. 602-252-2620.

Reach the reporter at Priscilla.Toti- ya or 602-444-8092. Follow her on Twitter: ya. Kitchen moves to new location Mexican restaurant Irma's Kitchen relocated to 1614 W. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix. PRISCILLA TOTIYAPUNGPRASERT Priscilla Totiyapungprasert Arizona Republic USA TODAY NETWORK The newly reopened Irma's Kitchen features more seating and parking.

PRISCILLA TOTIYAPUNGPRASERT Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey wants to sell his Paradise Val- ley mansion. The asking price is $8.75 million. The property, described in the listing as a French style sits alongside the Paradise Valley Coun- try Club and has views of Mummy according to the listing. the Duceys are selling their home, but worry, not leav- ing Ducey spokesman Patrick Ptak said.

staying right here. As many couples with kids leaving the nest do, decided time to The house, with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, sits on more than two prime acres in the heart of metro Phoe- most exclusive neighborhood ZIP code 85253. Ducey, who was CEO of Cold Stone Creamery before getting into politics, bought the land for the home with his wife, Angela, in 2005. The couple paid $1.825 million for the large lot through a group called DAD Properties, according to public real estate records. The Duceys then had the mansion built, where they raised their three sons.

Vicki Potolicchio of eXp Realty has the listing. Reach the reporter at Catherine or 602- 444-8040. Follow her on Twitter Gov. Doug Ducey's Paradise Valley home is now on the market. MADELEINE REPUBLIC Gov.

Ducey lists PV mansion for Catherine Reagor Arizona Republic USA TODAY NETWORK.