east valley
Volume 3 Issue 20 Mesa, AZ
November 29, 2020
EV men’s ‘escape bus’ no puzzle to fans BY CECILIA CHAN Tribune Staff Writer
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IN THE BIZ
ain Knudson and his friends are bringing brain-teasing entertainment right to people’s doorsteps. The Gilbert man and his group have created BrakeOut Arizona, an escape room game inside the hull of a former school bus where participants use their skills to figure out puzzles, riddles and clues to break out of a locked room within a given time frame. “We built this experience for success,” Knudson said. “Entertainment comes down to people feeling validated and they feel successful at the end of the day.” Knudson is the co-owner of 5 Gents Events and handles sales, social media outreach and marketing. The other East Valley co-owners are Dan Knudson, chief experience designer, architect and business logistics; Curt Easton, experience designer and maintenance; Burke Nichols, experience designer and maintenance; Isaac Sneed of Mesa, engineer and games master; and Jared Brimhall, financier and business logistics. All the men hold jobs outside of this side passion –two work in banking, one in construction, one is an engineering student at Arizona State University and one is going back to school for a business degree. Knudson himself works in sales in the semiconductor industry. “Our group has in the past put together these experiences and really enjoyed the Public Notices ............... page 2 © Copyright, 2020 East Valley Tribune
BrakeOut Arizona partners include, from left, Dan Knudsen, Dain Knudson, Burke Nichols and Curt Easton. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
thrill of them,” Knudson said. “We like challenging people’s critical thinking and letting people think creatively.” The first event the group ever did was CacheDashe, where people in an adventure race around the Valley deciphered clues as they hunted for a buried box of money. But, Knudson said the group always had in the back of their minds to do a mobile escape room that delved into the narrative and in January they acted on it. At an auction sale they purchased a retired Gilbert Public Schools bus for $2,250. “We were lucky to have it run super well right off the bat,” Knudson said. They ripped out all the seats and rehabbed the bus with some paid professional help along the way – all for just under $10,000, including the bus purchase. (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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Knudson said there are other mobile escape rooms but they are out of trailers and he was sure they are the first to have it in a bus west of the Mississippi. Before launching the new venture, the group invited members of the public to test it. “Having the test groups was super important for us,” Knudson said. “From our perspective we created (the puzzles) and know how everything is done and we needed from the public how their mind approached it.” He said there were elements the public liked that the group didn’t initially appreciate – such as having audio feedback when a puzzle was solved to let players know to move on. So, the group put in a white board with red and green lights. When a puzzle Subscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ 85026.
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is unsolved it’s red and when solved, it turns green and makes a ding sound. The group finally took their mobile entertainment on the road in September. They’ve taken the bus to private events like birthday parties and dropped in at the Queen Creek Festival and the Gilbert Festival. “We’ve had groups of teachers do it on their own time as a team-building experience,” said Knudson, adding all safety precautions are taken such as sanitizing the bus after each use. Most of the bookings so far have been in the East Valley but the The interior of the BrakeOut Arizona bus has been converted into a giant game room where players try to solve puzzles to company is getting interest for get out of the vehicle. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer) the bus from Prescott and Florence. difficult,” he said. theaters, bowling alleys, skating rinks, BrakeOut Arizona has several options Knudson said the company is focusing and amusement parks that require large for booking, including an enhanced on weekend events but is flexible to crowds to turn a profit, according to experience that lasts an hour and an bring the bus out during weekdays and Room Escape Artist. express experience that lasts 20 minutes can tailor the experience for bookings. Knudson said the company’s future with varying pricing. Escape rooms are largely pitched as plan is to expand its mobile entertainSo far, one group has broken the team building exercises for corporations ment. record for the 20-minute experience and but this year due to the pandemic, many “We would like down the road to buy escaped the bus in 12 minutes and 30 have their employees working remotely. more buses and have a fleet of buses seconds. The first escape opened in 2007 and anywhere in the Valley at any time with “One of the boys in the group just had today there are over 2,250 such facili- different themes and puzzles,” he said. a unique experience that fitted the room ties in the country and holding steady, “We have a goal of expanding offerwell,” Knudson said. “We were really according to Room Escape Artist, which ings over the next several years and also impressed with them.” tracks the industry. not just doing escape but other mobile Knudson said the success rate for comAlthough many escape rooms are tem- entertainment as well.” pleting the escape room is between 30 porarily closed due to COVID-19, they To book and to learn more about and 40 percent. are better positioned to operate in the BrakeOut Arizona, go to brakeoutaz. “It’s challenging and without hints and coming months than many other forms com, facebook.com/brakeoutaz or inswithout clues, going into it can be very of entertainment such as movie theaters, tagram.com/brakeoutaz.
Public Notice EASTMARK COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 1 and DISTRICT NO. 2, MESA ARIZONA CFD PHASE XVI OFFSITE & ONSITE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS (DU3/4 COMMERCIAL CORE) PROJECT NOS: S898, S899, S900 and S901 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. All bids will be
received electronically. Bids shall be submitted to the following email: En-gineeringBids@mesaaz.gov. Bids must be submitted as an unencrypted PDF attachment with a maximum file size of 20MB. Please ensure that your email is smaller than this before sending. Submit-ted bids that are unable to be opened by City staff will not be considered for award. Bidders may request a single opportunity to verify that a test email and attachment are received and can be opened by City staff. Test emails must be sent to Engineer-ingBids@mesaaz. gov. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.
EAST VALLEY BUSINESS
A non-mandatory PreBid Conference will be held via Telephone on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 2:00 pm. The Conference Bridge call in is 866.429.7190, conference ID 1746445 in order to join the call. A pre-bid review of the site has been scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. The site visit is recommended but not mandatory. Participants shall meet at the Eastmark construction trailer located at 9525 E. Elliot Road (between Ellsworth Road and Everton Terrace), Mesa, Arizona 85212. This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials,
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transportation, and services for the construction and/or installation of all improvements shown on the Plans, including, but not limited to the following: 1. Offsite Improvements E. Point Twenty-Two Boulevard (S898) The Project consists of intersection improvements at existing E. Point Twenty-Two Boulevard and proposed S. Momentum. Improvements include new right and left turn lanes and pavement, raised median removal, sidewalk removal and installation, planting removal, irrigation modifications, entrance improvements with sidewalk ramps, pavement marking modifications, minor water and
NOVEMBER 29, 2020
sewer line extensions, and dryutility relocations. E. Serenity Ave, S. Bradley Way) (S900) – The Project consists of constructing approximately 2,700 LF of new public 2-lane Local Commercial Streets with utility and drainage facilities. Prior to construction the site will be mass-graded with rough grade on roadways and adjacent retention basins. The three onsite entrances will be enhanced with stamped asphalt and raised landscaped medians where shown on plans. Utilities include installation of 12-inch water mains and stubs throughout, storm drain and bleedoff piping, gravity sewer main and stubs, dry-utilities, and landscape and irrigation. Street widths vary with typical width of 28 feet backof-curb to back-of-curb, and include detached 8’ wide sidewalk throughout. 4. Add Alternate No. 1 Offsite Ray Road (S901) – The bid alternative consists of intersection improvements at existing E. Ray Road and proposed S. Bradley Way. Improvements include new right turn lanes (north and south sides), leftturn lanes (north and south), raised median removal and pavement replacement, sidewalk removal and installation, planting removal, irrigation modifications, entrance improvements with sidewalk ramps, pavement marking modifications, minor water and sewer line extensions, storm drain relocation, and dry-utility relocations. Bid Alt 1 may be removed from the project and constructed separately. For information contact: Stephanie Gishey, City of Mesa, Stephanie.Gishey@Me-saAZ.gov. Engineer’s Estimate Range is $3,600,000 to $4,400,000. All project questions must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2020. See Section 11 of the Project Special Provisions for more information. Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above. Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.e-arc.com/arcEOC/ PWELL_ Main.asp?mem=29. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed. The cost
Public Notice
of each Bid Set will be no more than $46.00, which is non-refund-able. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com. One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call (480) 644-2251 prior to arriving to ensure that the documents are available for viewing. Work shall be completed within 206 (two hundred and six) consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed. Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to DMB MESA PROVING GROUNDS LLC, or a certified or cashier’s check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The successful bidder will be required to execute the DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC Contract and respective Addenda for construction within ten (10) days after formal Notice of Contact Award. Failure by bidder to properly execute the Contract and provide the required certification as specified shall be considered a breach of Contract by bidder. DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC shall be free to terminate the Contract or, at option, release the successful bidder. Payment and Performance Bonds will be required for this Work. The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, shall be required to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Con-tract Price, and a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. Successful Bidder shall name DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC as obligee on both the Payment and Performance Bonds and name the City of Mesa as an additional obligee on the Performance Bond using a Dual Obligee Rider form. An approved Dual Obligee Rider Form is included herein as Exhibit E in the Contract Documents. The right is hereby reserved to accept or re-ject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC; City of Mesa or Eastmark Community Facilities District No. 1 and District No. 2. BETH HUNING District Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen District Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Nov. 22, 29, 2020 / 34536
EAST VALLEY BUSINESS
CITY OF MESA PUBLIC NOTICE The Mesa City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the following ordinance at the December 8, 2020 City Council meeting be-ginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Mesa City Council Chambers, 57 East First Street. 1. ZON20-00398 (District 1) Within the 3400 block of East University Drive (north side). Located west of Val Vista Drive on the north side of University Drive (2.3 acres). Rezone from RM-3 to RM-3-BIZ; and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for the development of a multiple residence on the site. Tim Boyle, Tim Boyle Design, applicant; AM Properties & Investments, LLC, owner. 2. Amending Title 6 of the Mesa City Code (Police Regulations) by adding a new Chapter 25 entitled “Marijuana Prohibitions” prohibiting certain activities and facilities related to marijuana including: recreational marijuana re-tail establishments, except for retail sales by a state dual licensee at a shared location; marijuana testing facilities; delivery of marijuana unless delivered by a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary in accordance with state regulations; and the consumption of marijuana on City property, certain prohibited property, and in vehicles/ transportation. (City-wide) DATED at Mesa, Arizona, this 29th day of November 2020. DEE ANN MICKELSEN, City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Nov. 29, 2020 / 34645
Public Notice CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified firm or team to act as the Job Order Contractor for the following: JOB ORDER CONTRACT FIRE SAFETY SERVICES PROJECT NO. JOC-FS20 The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Contractor to provide Job Order Fire Safety Services. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Re-quest for Qualifications (RFQ). The following is a summary of the project. Fire Safety Services to provide fire safety services for minor and/ or major improvement projects, large maintenance projects, repairs, re-construction, and alteration services to City facilities. A Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on November 23, 2020, at 8 am through Microsoft Teams. Parties interested in attending should request an invitation from Stephanie Gishey at stephanie. gishey@mesaaz.gov. At this meeting, the project team, including City staff will dis-cuss the scope of
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work, general contract requirements and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the Pre-Submittal Conference is not mandatory. All interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether they attend the conference or not. All interested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other information published from the Pre-Submittal Conference. Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, assure that contract decisions are made in public and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below. RFQ Lists. The RFQ is available on the City’s website at https://www. mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/ construction-manager-at-risk-andjob-order-contracting-opportunities The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding PPVF’s and resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide one (1) electronic copy of the Statement of Qualifications in an unencrypted PDF format to Engineering-RFQ@ mesaaz.gov by December 3, 2020, by 2 pm. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer. Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/ purchasing/vendor-self-service). Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Stephanie Gishey of the Engineering Department at stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov. BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Nov. 15, 22, 29, 2020 / 34423
NOVEMBER 29, 2020
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