Latest news with #WorkerPower
Axios
25-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Union-backed Worker Power emerging as key player in Valley development clashes
An advocacy group tied to a powerful labor union has become a major player in local elections over land development issues in recent years. The big picture: Worker Power, a nonprofit connected to Unite Here Local 11, which represents about 32,000 hotel, restaurant and airport workers in Arizona and southern California, has become a key player in fights over high-profile land-use decisions. State of play: In Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe, Worker Power has led or supported campaigns to block major commercial projects, often citing concerns about transparency, community input and corporate accountability. In Glendale, the group spearheaded a ballot measure last year to raise the minimum wage for hotel and event center workers to $20 an hour, up from the state minimum wage — $14.70. Hotels and venues would have been exempted if they entered into collective bargaining agreements with their workers. Voters rejected that proposal. It collected signatures to force a public vote next month on zoning changes for a corporate office at the incoming VAI Resort. In 2023, the group pursued a referendum and filed a lawsuit over a property tax incentive for the resort that the city later reversed. In Scottsdale, Worker Power helped collect signatures to refer to the ballot a zoning change for Taser-maker Axon's proposed headquarters, which was challenged by opponents of the company's planned apartment units. Unite Here pitched Axon on signing what it called a "neutrality agreement" to facilitate unionization of its hotel employees, the Arizona Republic reported last December. State legislation later nullified the vote. In Tempe, Worker Power disputed a proposed Tempe Entertainment District centered around a new arena for the Arizona Coyotes, which voters rejected in 2023. The group raised significant funds but spent relatively little ahead of the election, per the Republic. What they're saying: While Unite Here is one of its numerous partners, Worker Power isn't exclusively a labor advocacy group and doesn't focus solely on labor issues, executive director Brendan Walsh told Axios. He said its advocacy regarding major commercial projects revolves around "equity and corporate and government accountability." The other side: Critics — including developers and business advocates — argue the group's efforts are more about expanding union influence than addressing zoning or environmental concerns. Grant Fisher, CEO and co-owner of VAI Resort, told Axios he doesn't believe Worker Power cares about zoning for park space and is instead seeking to unionize the resort's workers. Meanwhile, Axon spokesperson David Leibowitz said the group steps "into situations where they think they can create leverage for themselves to try to have some power over the process." Between the lines: Walsh said Worker Power objects to changes permitting an office building on a parcel previously zoned for park space and allowing the resort to flush water from its human-made beach and swimming pools into the city's sewer system. He also has concerns related to light and noise. He raised additional objections to other facets of the project, saying the zoning change is the latest in a "long line of giveaways" by the city. Garrick Taylor, a spokesperson for the pro-VAI Yes for Glendale campaign, said the project addresses noise and light issues and called the water concerns "another mischaracterization."
Business Journals
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Glendale mixed-use project Envision Encore clears City Council hurdle
A major rezoning decision by Glendale City Council paves the way for high-density housing and commercial space near popular attractions. Story Highlights Glendale City Council approved rezoning for "Envision Encore" project Project includes high-density housing, commercial uses and potential hotels A Worker Power representative expressed concerns about hotels, affordable housing A new mixed-use project in Glendale passed its first hurdle with City Council Tuesday. Council approved the rezoning of a 39-acre site just across the I-10 from State Farm Stadium for a project dubbed 'Envision Encore,' which is set to include high-density multifamily housing, commercial uses and potentially hotels. The project does not yet have a developer associated with it. The property owner is Porter Fields LLC, which traces to an address in Yuma, according to Maricopa County records. The applicant for the rezoning was the city of Glendale. During the April 22 Council meeting, a representative from social welfare organization Worker Power expressed concerns with the hotel aspect and lack of affordable housing in the city. 'We question the proposed inclusion of hotels. Why not keep the commercial development related to services that residents will directly benefit from, like the mentioned cafes and daycare centers, and maximize the amount of housing for the community," said Margaret Schultz with Worker Power. Worker Power has been politically active in the Phoenix area for the past few years, leading opposition to projects such as the VAI Resort and the arena development efforts from the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes hockey team. Sought-after site near other Glendale attractions On March 27, Glendale's planning and zoning commission recommended that Council rezone the site at the southwest corner of 99th Avenue and Ballpark Boulevard from agriculture to planned area development, along with a minor plan amendment from land zoned for a business park to entertainment mixed-use. The city envisions the mixed-use project as one 'that will complement and enhance the sports and entertainment district,' Senior Planner Alex Lerma told the planning commission. Attractions in the district include the Tanger Outlets, Desert Diamond Arena and popular hangout spots such as a new two-story Thirsty Lion location and the Tiger Woods-backed golf entertainment concept PopStroke. The site is also surrounded by several other planned developments. A business park is currently under development to the north. A Top Golf location is directly to the east, along with the new Andretti Indoor Carting and Games facility set to open this month. Dick's Sporting Goods is also expected to develop its new concept, Dick's House of Sports, to the northeast of the planned project site. Other mega entertainment projects nearby include the VAI Resort, which has faced several delays but is expected to include Arizona's largest hotel upon completion. Next door, the Mattel Adventure Park is set to include roller coasters and a Barbie Dream House upon completion, which is scheduled for the end of 2025. And next to State Farm Stadium, another 62-acre entertainment mixed-use development from Peoria-based Plaza Cos. is underway. Sign up here for the Phoenix Business Journal's free newsletters, and download our free app for breaking news alerts.
Axios
19-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Hobbs signs bill to cancel election over Axon HQ zoning
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed legislation Friday scrapping a scheduled election next year that challenged zoning for Axon's proposed headquarters in Scottsdale. Catch up quick: The Scottsdale City Council last November approved the company's rezoning request for a building near Hayden Road and Loop 101 that would include 1,900 apartments and a hotel. Opponents of the apartments specifically, with support from the organized labor group Worker Power, collected enough signatures to put the issue on the 2026 general election ballot. The intrigue: Axon CEO Rick Smith has said the apartments are critical to the project and threatened the Taser maker would leave Arizona if the special election proceeded. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X earlier this month that his state would welcome Axon. What they're saying: Smith called the bill-signing a "defining moment for Scottsdale, and for the state of Arizona" and "a bold step forward for Arizona's economy." "This legislation ensures that Arizona remains competitive in attracting high-impact global headquarters projects, providing the tools needed to create high-wage jobs and drive innovation at scale," he said in a statement. Hobbs did not comment on the bill. The other side: Opponents said the bill was driven by special interests and disenfranchised Scottsdale voters. Context: The bill would force cities with populations between 200,000-500,000, including Scottsdale, to allow apartments and hotels on the campus of an international business headquarters on land zoned for light industrial use. What we're watching: The Scottsdale City Council, with a current majority that opposes Axon's plans, could sue to block the legislation from taking effect.
Axios
03-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Glendale voters will decide on portion of VAI Resort in special election
Glendale voters will soon get a say on one aspect of the ambitious VAI Resort. The big picture: Labor advocacy group Worker Power collected enough signatures to force the City Council to put two measures on the ballot for the May special election in Glendale. Those two measures pertain to the City Council's November decisions to incorporate 10 acres owned by VAI into the resort project, and to change the zoning so it can be used for corporate office space. If voters reject Propositions 401 and 402, it would reverse the council's decisions. Why it matters: If the council's decisions are overturned, it would create "tremendous uncertainty for the developers as to what their timeline looks like" and would likely require VAI to seek another zoning agreement from the city, Garrick Taylor, a spokesperson for the Yes for Glendale campaign, told Axios. What they're saying:"Why inject any doubt into this project when we are so close to bringing it to completion?" Taylor said. Catch up quick: The $1.2 billion VAI Resort is slated to include four hotels with about 1,100 rooms, indoor and outdoor performance venues, a white-sand beach, 12 restaurants, bars, shopping stalls and the first-ever Mattel Adventure Park across 66 acres. The first phase of the resort is expected to open later this year just south of State Farm Stadium in Glendale's Sports and Entertainment District. It is expected to be Arizona's largest resort and to create about 2,000 permanent jobs. The intrigue: Worker Power argues that the 10 acres should be used for green space, as it was previously zoned for, per the Arizona Republic. The group is tied to Unite Here Local 11, which represents hotel, restaurant and airport workers in Arizona and California. In 2023, Worker Power backed a lawsuit challenging a property tax incentive the city planned to give VAI. The latest: Yes for Glendale, a campaign to support Propositions 401 and 402, launched this week. The campaign touts support from political and business figures including Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, Council Member Lauren Tolmachoff and Glendale Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Joshua Gunn. What they're saying: "The VAI Resort project represents our city's next step forward. This development will strengthen our economy, provide thousands of jobs and increase city revenues to improve police, fire, infrastructure and more," Weiers said in a campaign statement. The other side: Worker Power treasurer Brendan Walsh told the Glendale Star there's "significant dissatisfaction among residents" about the concessions the city has given VAI, saying people in Glendale want more input on large developments.
