New hotel in the works at Yuma Proving Ground

Lend Lease Inc., which holds a 50-year lease with the Army for the lodging program on 21 installations, plans to construct a new 92-room hotel at Yuma Proving Ground, reported Chuck Wullenjohn, YPG spokesman.

The company also will continue to maintain and upgrade the existing 10-room housing complex at YPG called La Casita.

This will result in YPG having more than 100 hotel rooms once the project is completed. Construction is scheduled to start in late spring or early summer of 2012, with the anticipated completion about 18 months from the first shovel in the ground.

Meryl Large, senior marketing manager for Lend Lease, said the new hotel will be a Candlewood Suites. A hotel at YPG has been discussed for several years to accommodate visiting contractors, traveling government officials and soldiers and their families.

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Thank you to everyone who has shared their fondest wishes for businesses and restaurants they would like to see come to Yuma.

There's still time for others to weigh in on the annual “Wish List” that will be published Christmas Day in the Yuma Sun's Sunday business section.

Send your wishes for a new store or eatery you're yearning for to jlobeck@yumasun.com.

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Plans are in review for a new police substation on 26th Street just west of the Yuma Fire Station off Araby Road, reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma deputy building official. He expects construction could start in early 2012.

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In other city of Yuma building activity, Kircher reported:

• Permits have been issued for a new 8,300-square-foot multitenant building as part of the Cielo Verde Center off 32nd Street and Avenue 8E.

• Plans are under review for tenant improvements to a space in the existing building at Cielo Verde Center for Pure Tone.

• A permit has been issued for grading and site work at Cibola High School for a new classroom building. Plans for the building currently are under review.

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A new store has opened at Yuma Palms Regional Center just in time for holiday shopping. The store, Planet X, is located in the former Anchor Blue space across from Chili's in The Village area of the mall.

Planet X carries martial arts name-brand clothing for all ages, sports-related apparel and shoes. It's open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The phone number is 919-7445.

The store is the labor of love for Tony and Deborah Stanley and Tony's father, Gene. They recently sold TANgo Tanning Salon in the Foothills to focus on their new enterprise.

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Yuma Copiers has moved and is now at 1216 S. 3rd Ave. The phone number remains 344-0887. The store is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Yuma Copiers was founded in 1990 by Peter Toczek, and today offers new and used office equipment, supplies and services.

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Westmoor Electric Inc. has been honored by the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce as the December Member of the Month. Nate Schug is the president of the business, which is owned by Don Peterson Enterprises.

For 55 years, the company has enjoyed a reputation for excellence in providing commercial and industrial businesses with complete electrical service, according to the nomination. The company's staff provides engineering and design service, cost consulting and start-to-finish construction.

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Foxy Lady, 670 W. Catalina Drive, is under new ownership with a new name after getting a new look with extensive renovations and the addition of new tanning beds.

Now called FX Tanning, new owners are Galen and Tracy Barker. The business offers tanning by certified tanning staff, a boutique and full-service salon for men and women.

New hours are 9 am. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The salon can still be reached at 344-6848.

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Saguaro Foundation is proceeding with plans to build a new Day Services Center in Somerton, according to an invitation to submit proposals that was published in the Yuma Sun public notices section. Bids to build and equip the center are due by Tuesday.

Saguaro Foundation couldn't be reached by press time for more details on the project.

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Yuma County Airport Authority held a little ceremony last week to congratulate Chris Freeman, owner of Million Air Yuma, for selling more than 4 million gallons of aviation fuel over the last 18 months since becoming the fixed base operator at Yuma International Airport.

The previous 18-month record was just over 2.6 million gallons in 2008, noted Bill Gresser, president of the Airport Authority.

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Financial Management Consulting Group ranked 1st Bank Yuma as the No. 2 community bank in Arizona in its third-quarter performance ranking.

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AT&T is fighting an uphill battle for its $39 billion proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. Facing the Federal Communications Commission's likely rejection of the deal, AT&T announced recently that it has withdrawn its application with the regulatory agency, at least for now. AT&T also said it would take a $4 billion pretax accounting charge to cover the break-up fee with T-Mobile.

However, AT&T also said it would continue to defend the merger in court against a an antitrust lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice in August.

So, T-Mobile customers who have been wondering what will happen, stay tuned.

Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/jlobeck or on Twitter at @YSJoyceLobeck.