[Don B.]

More news on the project:

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/s...09/story2.html

Relevant quotes:

* Don Zeleznak said the market for high-rise condos is deeper than many realize because of changes in the Valley's demographics.

* The proposal's 50-story height could change and may be higher, depending on design input from Phoenix and ASU, Vento said.

* Vento said he plans to begin interviewing architects with national and international reputations in the next several weeks.

* "We hope to have a contract in the next several days," Rakow said. "This will change the skyline of Phoenix, and we plan to bring in a significant architect who will be identified with the building."

* Ryan Zeleznak said the company has about 110 reservations for the 176 condos in the 34-story 44 Monroe condo building at First Avenue and Monroe Street. The Weitz Co. expects to start construction in June after workers finish demolishing what was a 10-story office building on the site.

Looking good!

--don