[Vicelord John]

Like I didn't fucking see this coming...


Tall buildings plan pulled back for Central and Camelback
5 commentsby Michael Clancy - Oct. 16, 2009 02:37 PM
The Arizona Republic
A Phoenix developer has pulled back from seeking approval for a project that would have included some of the tallest buildings in Phoenix.

Reid Butler submitted plans for the southwestern corner of Central Avenue and Camelback Road in May 2008, but the plans immediately ran into nearly unanimous opposition from the area's historic neighborhoods and the city councilmen who represent them.

Butler wanted to put up three buildings holding offices, a hotel and condos, topping out at 400 feet. The Chase Tower and US Bank Center in downtown Phoenix are the only buildings in the state that are that tall. The Qwest Tower at Thomas Road and Central falls just short.
What the project might have had going for it is its location at the north end of Phoenix's Central Avenue business area, and its inclusion of a light-rail station at a point where the tracks change direction.

But Butler never reached a point where he could argue those points before any official body.

Butler did not return a phone call, but in a letter to Councilmen Tom Simplot and Sal DiCiccio, Butler said he was responding to requests from both council members to discontinue the project. DiCiccio made his request publicly, while Simplot handled it personally. The corner is in Simplot's district.

But in the same letter, Butler says, "We continue to believe that significant density located directly on the light rail line, particularly at this unique property, would be of great benefit to the city."

Butler said he had worked closely with neighborhood organizations and residents, and believed he had the support of many of them. The project would develop "positive interaction and strong connections" between it and the neighborhoods, he argued.

"We continue to believe that a highly integrated project will create the best result for the adjacent neighborhoods," Butler wrote. "However, we now understand we have not done enough work on our project and with the neighborhoods to proceed with our 400-foot height request."

The property already is entitled to 250 feet of height. The tallest building on Central north of the Grand Canal, which cuts through north of Central High School, is an apartment building that is a little over 200 feet tall.