Building on the Past: 1958: A “Heavy” Order of Superlite Blocks
“Do it big, do it right, and do it with style,” said actor Fred Astaire. Apparently, famed Valley developer John F. Long was listening....
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Aug 18, 20212 min read
Concrete Fountain Renews Tucson’s Historic Plaza
Jennifer M. Levstik Even the most innocuous objects have stories to tell. Tucson’s El Presidio Fountain is one of them. Constructed at...
Aug 10, 20212 min read
Architect’s Perspective: Concrete Innovations in Arizona
Doug Sydnor, FAIA Concrete is not only a long-lasting material; humans have also used it for a long time. Its origins are a concrete-like...
Aug 5, 20212 min read
Mid-Century Modern Blockheads: An Ode to the Humble Concrete Block
Heather M. David I am a blockhead. A mid-century modern (MCM) blockhead. I have been one for as long as I can remember. I started...
Jul 19, 20213 min read
Paving the Way for Four Generations: The Chesley Family
Douglas Towne “I loved spending time with my dad hunting, camping, or any other activity,” Phil Chesley says about his father, Elmo...
Jul 12, 20212 min read
Digging Through the Archives: Cook, West & West: A Truck Driving Family
William Horner I recently connected with a family with an impressive legacy of truck driving in the Valley. This linkage occurred when I...
Jul 1, 20211 min read
Jul/Aug 2021 "Cementitious" Issue Released by AZ Contractor & Community Magazine
In this 96-page “cementitious” July/Aug issue of Arizona Contractor & Community Magazine, we’ve focused on a building material that is...
Jun 28, 20211 min read
"Slingin' Hash About the Past" At Helsing's Coffee Shops
There’s nothing as appetizing as nostalgia, at least where Helsing's Coffee Shops are concerned. The four Phoenix-based restaurants were...
Jun 21, 20212 min read
Bentson Contracting: Building Everything from Driveways to Highways
By Douglas Towne Some Valley residents probably know Bentson Contracting Co. only from its sidewalk stamps around the city. That’s a...
Jun 7, 20213 min read
Dicey Construction: The Security Building’s Scandalous Financing Scheme
By Douglas Towne The Security Building was the toast of Downtown Phoenix when it opened in 1928 at the southwest corner of Central Avenue...
May 10, 20212 min read
Digging Through the Archives: Union Rock & Materials Company
By William Horner One of the largest midcentury construction rock and sand providers was started by a businessman who knew more about...
May 4, 20211 min read
May/June "Roadside" Issue of AZ Contractor & Community Released
Arizona Contractor & Community Magazine kicks off the summer by doing what many of us did with our families after the school year ended:...
May 3, 20213 min read
Editor’s Column - ACC: 10 Years and Counting
By Douglas Towne There was a running joke between my wife and me before Arizona Contractor & Community debuted in Spring 2012. “I’m going...
Apr 29, 20212 min read
Architect’s Perspective: Dennis C. Numkena, AIA: Use of Drama
By Douglas Sydnor Becoming a licensed architect is a challenging path requiring a minimum of eight years, including a professional...
Apr 6, 20211 min read
Back When: Cudia City’s Celluloid Sendoff
By Douglas Towne #CudiaCity #DouglasTowne To read the rest of this article, you are invited to purchase the digital issue here. This...
Mar 29, 20213 min read
B.L. Gustafson: Adept with Horses and Horsepower
By Douglas Towne After World War II, a Phoenix contractor became renowned for his talent moving materials and building highways across...
Mar 4, 20211 min read
ACC Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary with March/April Issue
Arizona Contractor & Community magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary with a little help from the ASU cheerleading squad. In this...
Feb 8, 20213 min read
Skousen: Three Generations of Arizona Road Contractors
By Douglas Towne “If all the roads that W.R. Skousen Construction paved were taken up, Arizona would be in pretty rough condition,” Ed...
Feb 1, 20210 min read
Jan 25, 20212 min read
Architect’s Perspective: Arizona’s Round Architecture
By Doug Sydnor, FAIA The circle has been informing global architecture for centuries. Examples of round structures include the ancient...
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