Phoenix Development News (3)

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

If the Diamondbacks can talk about a new stadium when Chase Field is only 19 years old, I can hope for a similar timeline at CityScape. To be clear, though, my wishful thinking concerns only the two-story western half of CityScape. The eastern portion, with its two high-rise towers, is better designed and should be maintained indefinitely.

I apologize if I've asked this before, but I don't recall the answer...

Was the West block designed so that towers could eventually be built on top of the existing retail (albeit with modification)? I mean structurally were portions of the west block designed to allow for future vertical development, or would they essentially have to come down?

[nickw252]

The west block was not designed so that a tower could be built above it in the future.

The original plans called for the retail building to have a few floors of apartments above the retail. Adding the residential above the existing retail now I s probably out of the question.

[mdpx]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

If the Diamondbacks can talk about a new stadium when Chase Field is only 19 years old, I can hope for a similar timeline at CityScape. To be clear, though, my wishful thinking concerns only the two-story western half of CityScape. The eastern portion, with its two high-rise towers, is better designed and should be maintained indefinitely.

You can hope all you want. I understand the west area you were discussing. There were many flaws in how that was designed as a compromise for eliminating the park. However, it's not going anywhere anytime soon so it's a moot point. To wish for demolition after 7 or so years seems premature.

[Buckeye Native 001]

Because I know jack shit about engineering or architecture, how hard would it be (taking necessity of such a project out of the equation) to renovate so that the western part of Cityscape so that it's more "street friendly"?

[Crispy]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

I apologize if I've asked this before, but I don't recall the answer...

Was the West block designed so that towers could eventually be built on top of the existing retail (albeit with modification)? I mean structurally were portions of the west block designed to allow for future vertical development, or would they essentially have to come down?

I had heard once that western portion was limited due to a view easement related to the Renaissance properties to the north

[exit2lef]

Some (vague) news about restaurants that will be part of the Blocks of Roosevelt Row project:

http://www.theblocksroosevelt.com/2017/0...concepts-to-the-blocks-of-roosevelt-row/

[muertecaza]

Interesting coverage of an architecture firm's submission to an AIA Phoenix Metro competition: a giant rug propped up on stilts over 1st Ave, which would facilitate turning the street into a strictly pedestrian/public transportation "Jacaranda Avenue."

http://www.curbed.com/2017/1/5/14179940/shade-phoenix-canopy-climate-change

Here’s a smart idea by Phoenix-based Blank Studio for providing some relief for Phoenix residents.

The big scene-stealing move for Jacaranda Avenue—named for the purple flowering trees found in arid climates—is a crocheted canopy that would drape over the existing roadway. The structure would be made from loosely knit sisal, the same material that’s woven into outdoor rugs.

Sisal is made from the fibers of the agave plant, which grows easily and with little water in Phoenix’s climate, making the canopies environmentally sustainable and easy to replicate and repair.

But as you can see from a cross-section of the concept, it’s not just about stringing up some rope over the street. Jacaranda Avenue is part of a concept to turn major Phoenix streets into pedestrian greenways. The asphalt would be swapped with permeable pavers and rain gardens planted with native species.

And the idea is meant to expand to other streets, which would also be named for desert-dwelling trees, create a shaded plaza network throughout the city.

This idea of “engineered shade” is a hot topic in Phoenix. When I visited for my story on the city’s Central Avenue in 2016, I saw plenty of smart ways that the city is providing comfort for its humans, from canopies over light rail stations to solar panel-topped gazebos in parks. But what’s so lovely about Jacaranda Avenue is that it is not just about shading a street, but part of a comprehensive plan to cool the city by converting street use away from cars and returning it to the people.

http://aia-phoenixmetro.org/competition-1/



http://www.blankspaces.net/jacaranda-avenue/2016/11/22/ukbx75muh5grgwhmmjdmk0f4nii8mf

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by muertecaza

Interesting coverage of an architecture firm's submission to an AIA Phoenix Metro competition: a giant rug propped up on stilts over 1st Ave, which would facilitate turning the street into a strictly pedestrian/public transportation "Jacaranda Avenue."

http://www.curbed.com/2017/1/5/14179940/shade-phoenix-canopy-climate-change






http://aia-phoenixmetro.org/competition-1/



http://www.blankspaces.net/jacaranda-avenue/2016/11/22/ukbx75muh5grgwhmmjdmk0f4nii8mf

I'm sure this will get started just as soon as the Pin is topped out

[exit2lef]

^More shade is great, but closing streets to car traffic is usually a bad idea. The idea sounds appealing in theory but usually ends up draining all the life from the street. For every success like the 16th Street Mall in Denver, there are a dozen cases nationwide in which cities have made a downtown street into a pedestrian mall only to find themselves reversing that action a few years later. It would be far better for Phoenix to put its efforts into complete streets where cars, bicycles, and pedestrians are given equal priority. Did the Phoenix chapter of AIA learn nothing from hosting Jeff Speck's visit to Phoenix? He literally wrote the book on walkable cities, and even he sees the folly of pedestrian malls.

[LocoPhoenician]

Half of block 23 is fenced off along 1st and they are digging and breaking up the lot where the Fry's is supposed to be. So is this the official groundbreaking for this? The underground garage on 2nd st is still open along with parking in the lot.

[Phxguy]

Originally Posted by LocoPhoenician

Half of block 23 is fenced off along 1st and they are digging and breaking up the lot where the Fry's is supposed to be. So is this the official groundbreaking for this? The underground garage on 2nd st is still open along with parking in the lot.

Do we have official renderings yet for this project? Not just speculative "this is what it could look like" hodgepodge, but something we can actually expect to see?

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Do we have official renderings yet for this project? Not just speculative "this is what it could look like" hodgepodge, but something we can actually expect to see?

There were some from a while back. Pretty conclusive









This is interesting, its a massing with a bigger office building! maybe we can hope

[Phxguy]

^which one will it be? I'm confused which office rendering to expect.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

^which one will it be? I'm confused which office rendering to expect.

the top 4

the bottom one is the only one that stands out bu the plan from the get go was for a shorter office building with high ceilings and open floorplates to attract tech companies.

[biggus diggus]

Aren't the holes they are digging usually for utility relocation or soil testing? Usually a very early sign of construction?

[Phxguy]

Originally Posted by Obadno

the top 4

the bottom one is the only one that stands out bu the plan from the get go was for a shorter office building with high ceilings and open floorplates to attract tech companies.

Well no use I guess in complaining for a fuller or better project. Is there at least the possibility of a taller building being built atop of Fry's? Like the bottom rendering?

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Well no use I guess in complaining for a fuller or better project. Is there at least the possibility of a taller building being built atop of Fry's? Like the bottom rendering?

I remember reading an article a while ago where a RED Executive said that they are building the office building/portion in such a way where additional floor/height can be added later or even during the construction phase if the demand were to exist. He referenced the Hotel Palomar being built in a similar fashion and adding the apartments on top shortly after.

[ASU Diablo]

Cityscape update: Ahipoki Bowl going into the old Verizon space. From the PBJ article, "Cityscape has been revamping its shops here and there, taking out underperforming businesses and replacing them with more promising ones. Once the Verizon store is gone, Urban Outfitters and CVS Pharmacy will be the only remaining retail stores at CityScape."

[LocoPhoenician]

Here are a couple pics of block 23 I took on my lunch.

[nickw252]

That's all new. I was at the Suns/Cavs game last night and didn't see it.