Phoenix Development News (3)

[Vicelord John]

A shitty old building is still better than a parking lot.

[hrivas]

this posted to Roosevelt Row's FB Page

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by AnthonyA

I'm a new contributor, so forgive me if this has already been covered somewhere. Using the phrase "it never will be" absolutely kills constructive conversation. In a forum that emphasizes the difference between what was, what is, what is planned to be, and what could be, "it never will be" can not be defended. It's stated as a fact, but you can never claim to know the future with absolute certainty. "It never should be," "I don't see it becoming," and "It would better serve the region as a whole in its current state" would all be statements that you could defend and use to promote the conversation.

The primary response I have to the Circle K moving to this location is centered around the existing land uses. The construction of a third gas station on that corner is just as absurd as having coffee shops or grocery stores on three corners of a significant intersection - there's no diversity and no mix of complimentary uses. Personally, I wouldn't have too big of an issue with a gas station (even of this size) in this location with the caveat that Circle K scraped their existing site and performed a comprehensive environmental cleanup as well as a re-zone to exclude future gas stations (which would be a win-win for Circle K and the community). I'd prefer no gas station, but considering personal property rights and the existing presence of two gas stations at that intersection, the most prudent compromise I can conclude at this time is to hold Circle K responsible for environmental cleanup of the existing site so it can be used again immediately (theoretically) and extensive environmental safeguards (double-walled tanks, concrete tank-housing substructure, etc) on the new site to protect the long-term ability for Roosevelt Street and the Garfield Neighborhood to continue to reinvent itself.

I'm showing my age here, but your first paragraph makes me think of Led Zeppelin's classic song "What Is and What Should Never Be." Seriously, though, some great comments here. If a large, modern Circle K resulted in the closure and remediation of several small ones nearby, it would probably be a net gain for the area. Unfortunately, I haven't heard any promises of that scenario.

[HooverDam]

Originally Posted by hrivas

this posted to Roosevelt Row's FB Page

this is a GREAT get for Downtown/Roosevelt Row. Scratch is freakin' delicious.

Plus there are supposed to be 2 other restaurants going into the old Canvass building there, we heard that announced a while back. I can't recall what they were though...does anyone?

[Phxguy]

There was an Asian resturant (Vietanese I believe), an ice cream parlor, French cafe, and I'm positive they also mentioned a coffee shop or something.

[ASUSunDevil]

Big surprise, Glendale...

Nice to see companies looking for upwards of 100,000 sq. ft.



Phoenix office vacancy rate at 26 percent, but jobs gains could cut rate
Phoenix Business Journal by Mike Sunnucks, Senior Reporter
Date: Thursday, October 11, 2012, 1:26pm MST

New research from Jones Lang LaSalle shows downtown Phoenix with a 15 percent office vacancy rate.

More than one-quarter of Phoenix-area office space is vacant, but real estate brokers say increased local job gains and leasing activity could help improve the struggling commercial real estate market. Third quarter office statistics from the Jones Lang LaSalle brokerage firm shows the Valley had a 26 percent vacancy rate. The numbers were better in downtown Phoenix (15 percent), Tempe (20 percent), Chandler (23 percent) and central and south Scottsdale (20 percent and 21 percent, respectively). But the vacancy rates are higher in other submarkets, especially the West Valley: Glendale (47 percent) Surprise (33 percent) Midtown Phoenix (30 percent) Arrowhead section of the West Valley (28 percent). Still, the JLL report sees the market’s glass as half full going forward. The 3Q office report found some Phoenix market job gains in professional services, which is sparking some new demand for office space. The Jones reports also says there are several tenants looking for new space. That list include the Quarles & Brady LLP and Osborn Maledon PA law firms. They are looking for 125,000 square feet and 60,000 square feet, respectively. Home builder Meritage Homes is seeking 50,000 square feet and health care giant Humana is in search for 100,000 square feet of space.

[phxSUNSfan]

Can we get all of these "markets" in a concentrated location...like the Public Market and surround buildings for instance? Then we would get something going. I do understand that the Arizona Center is getting much busier with the growth of the universities' campuses and with future condos nearby, but a better job at marketing a growing public market will do wonders.

http://downtowndevil.com/2012/10/12/32498/mommas-organic-market-arizona-center/

[phxSUNSfan]

Cool videos filmed around downtown Phoenix:

http://www.youtube.com/user/davebrook?feature=results_main
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfmFAfaHb-Y&list=UUiNsmph3mNT9FyvqRd7Qp9w&index=1&feature=plcp

And the story behind the filming:
http://downtowndevil.com/2012/10/09/32210/dave-brookhouser-uav-phoenix-iphone-video/

[phxSUNSfan]

Interesting new consignment store in the warehouse district:

http://downtowndevil.com/2012/10/10/32307/downtown-phoenix-consignment-store/

[combusean]

From Vanishing Phoenix's facebook page around 10 AM:

"URGENT UPDATE: The Madison & St. James Hotels are going down AS WE SPEAK. Arizona Preservation Foundation Vintage Phoenix Phoenix Historic Neighborhoods Coalition. EVERYONE needs to get the word out on this and start calling the Mayor's office, the Suns, the City Manager's office, etc etc."

Add this to the Higley General Store's razing yesterday, and this might be the worst two days for historic preservation for the Phoenix area I can ever remember.

And the fact that both are going to auto-oriented uses--a parking lot or a wider intersection...utterly disgraceful.

[PHX31]

Seriously? I thought a deal was being worked out.

[HX_Guy]

Story is up on the Phoenix Business Journal as well... http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2012/10/17/phoenix-suns-bulldozing-old-hotels.html




Sucks...the last thing we need is more surface parking lots in downtown. I guess when you're a businessman all you care about is the money and not what's best for the city/downtown overall.

[Phxguy]

Was just down there about an hour ago. I sat there in complete awe yet anger while they tore apart the building. With each swipe another layer of the hotel was exposed, old wooden walls, doors, mattresses. Micheal Levine was being interviewed at the same time. I thought maybe... Just maybe Phoenix might finally start understanding how important historical preservation/ adaptive reuse is; then this happens. Before I continue venting I also have good news. Construction for the apartments on Mckinley and 2nd Ave has begun. Rebar is up.

[PHX31]

That is terrible. Oh well, maybe when there is no more need for parking this destruction will end (ie, when downtown is deserted and no one goes there anymore.).

I wonder if they will salvage things from the old buildings (or let people salvage things)... door handles, bricks, other hardware, etc.

Eff Sarver, he is such a weasely prick. Ruined the Suns and is a horrible person for the community.

[nickw252]

Frank Lloyd Wright house is up for sale.

http://m.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2012/10/17/historic-frank-lloyd-wright-home-in.html

[HooverDam]

Originally Posted by combusean

From Vanishing Phoenix's facebook page around 10 AM:

"URGENT UPDATE: The Madison & St. James Hotels are going down AS WE SPEAK. Arizona Preservation Foundation Vintage Phoenix Phoenix Historic Neighborhoods Coalition. EVERYONE needs to get the word out on this and start calling the Mayor's office, the Suns, the City Manager's office, etc etc."

Add this to the Higley General Store's razing yesterday, and this might be the worst two days for historic preservation for the Phoenix area I can ever remember.

And the fact that both are going to auto-oriented uses--a parking lot or a wider intersection...utterly disgraceful.

Indeed. All the preservation efforts are going towards the David Wright house right now and it just seems like the St James/Madison thing came at the wrong time (or right time for Sarver).

I had heard the City was very near a deal with Sarver to let him park in other places FOR FREE on City property, but Sarver had a bee in his bonnet to demolish for who knows why.

Personally, I won't be financially supporting the Suns until Sarver sells the team. He tore down the roster (the 2004 Suns were one of the most beautiful teams to ever grace the hardwood) and now he's tearing down the City.

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by HooverDam

Indeed. All the preservation efforts are going towards the David Wright house right now and it just seems like the St James/Madison thing came at the wrong time (or right time for Sarver).

I had heard the City was very near a deal with Sarver to let him park in other places FOR FREE on City property, but Sarver had a bee in his bonnet to demolish for who knows why.

Personally, I won't be financially supporting the Suns until Sarver sells the team. He tore down the roster (the 2004 Suns were one of the most beautiful teams to ever grace the hardwood) and now he's tearing down the City.

I couldn't agree more. What a piece of shit move by Sarver. Tear down a historic block for more fucking parking. I hope he chokes on something.

[PHX31]

Originally Posted by HooverDam

Personally, I won't be financially supporting the Suns until Sarver sells the team. He tore down the roster (the 2004 Suns were one of the most beautiful teams to ever grace the hardwood) and now he's tearing down the City.

I emailed him (not that he'll actually read it) and said almost the same thing word for word.

[westbev93]

That was essentially what I posted on the Suns facebook page until someone deleted it-first you destroyed a great franchise and then you destroy our City. Apparently, thou shall not criticize Lord Sarver on his social media.

I made sure to email the ticket rep who has been hounding my firm for the past 2 years to drop over $30k on floor seats to let him know that, as long as I have any say in our budget, we will NEVER buy a single ticket to a Suns game. If the team fully comprehends the financial backlash from this, perhaps they will rethink things the next time they want to tear down anything.

[HooverDam]

Good-ish news: it does look like one of the hotels won't be knocked over. The red brick one that says "Hotel" is still standing. I dont' recall if thats the St James or the Madison, I can never keep them straight.

Originally Posted by westbev93

I made sure to email the ticket rep who has been hounding my firm for the past 2 years to drop over $30k on floor seats to let him know that, as long as I have any say in our budget, we will NEVER buy a single ticket to a Suns game. If the team fully comprehends the financial backlash from this, perhaps they will rethink things the next time they want to tear down anything.

Good for you Me not buying my 10 or so tickets a year doesn't make a dent, but that sort of thing will.

I know David Stern has apparently been asking Colangelo to get back into ownership as Stern dislikes the current crop of NBA owners. In my fantasy world Sarver is unable to recover financially from the recession and has to sell the team back to Jerry, who oversees it in a care-taker role until a deeper pocketed owner can be found.