Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from June 12-14

From the Loop 303 expansion to a new Sprouts store, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from June 12-14.

Work begins June 15 on Loop 303 southward expansion

A $613 million multiyear effort to extend the Loop 303 southward through the West Valley is officially getting underway this month, transportation officials announced.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is construction work to build a 4-mile stretch of new freeway in Goodyear. The four-year project will extend Loop 303 from Van Buren Street down to Maricopa County 85 (MC 85), eventually creating a connection with the planned State Route 30.

Initial work to clear the corridor is scheduled to begin Monday, June 15.

The expansion will largely follow the current alignment of Cotton Lane. Once complete, the freeway will feature three general-purpose lanes in each direction between Van Buren Street and Lower Buckeye Road. From Lower Buckeye Road down to MC 85, it will taper to two lanes in each direction.

Sprouts sets opening date for flagship store next to new Phoenix HQ

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (Nasdaq: SFM), the Valley-based specialty grocery chain, has set the opening date of its new flagship store in north Phoenix.

On July 24, Sprouts will open the 25,000-square-foot store at 56th Street and CityNorth Drive, just north of the Loop 101, in Phoenix. The new store will be located adjacent to Sprouts’ brand-new corporate headquarters, which is slated to open in August.

Sprouts corporate offices will be located in a four-story, 144,500-square-foot building. The rest of the HQ campus includes the new store, a three-story parking garage and two other retail buildings. This area of north Phoenix near Scottsdale is gaining a reputation as a “Headquarters Alley,” where Sprouts, Discount Tire and Republic Services are all simultaneously working on HQ projects.

Sprouts’ new headquarters will include an atrium that can host company-wide town halls, an on-site Press Coffee location, gym, yoga studio, large deck on the top floor, culinary kitchens, tasting room and a garden.

This story is posted in partnership with Phoenix Business Journal. Click to read the full story.

Waymo acquires 5,458-acre proving grounds site in $220M deal

Waymo has acquired a massive proving grounds site near Phoenix in a $220 million deal that emphasizes the autonomous ride-hailing company’s growing commitment to the metro.

The property – which stretches 5,458 acres around 211th Avenue and Dove Valley Road – is in the far northwest portion of the city of Surprise, bordering Wittmann. Chrysler formerly used the site to test its vehicles, then Apple reportedly used it for its own autonomous vehicle testing.

Waymo has acquired a massive proving grounds site near Phoenix in a $220 million deal that emphasizes the autonomous ride-hailing company’s growing commitment to the metro.

The property – which stretches 5,458 acres around 211th Avenue and Dove Valley Road – is in the far northwest portion of the city of Surprise, bordering Wittmann. Chrysler formerly used the site to test its vehicles, then Apple reportedly used it for its own autonomous vehicle testing.

The city of Surprise approved transferring the obligations under the development agreement signed with the property’s previous owner – Route 14 Investment Partners LLC – over to Waymo during a May 5 City Council meeting. A spokesperson with the city was unable to be reached for additional comment by time of publication.

This story is posted in partnership with Phoenix Business Journal. Click to read the full story.

Missing man from Phoenix found dead at Canyon Lake

A man who was reported missing earlier this week was found dead at a reservoir around 45 minutes east of Phoenix on Friday night, authorities said.

The Lake Patrol Division of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office recovered Tyron Keyonnie’s body from Canyon Lake at around 8 p.m.

Keyonnie was reported missing to the Phoenix Police Department on Tuesday. He was identified by his next of kin.

Authorities said the Medical Examiner’s Office will determine Keyonnie’s cause of death.

Tempe councilman ‘mad as hell’ over Maricopa County recorder staff moving election equipment

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