Quote:
Originally Posted by HX_Guy
Seems there is another version of the design for the hotel? This one is in AZCentral.com article posted this evening...
Speaking as a Prescottonian now I don't have an issue with it, but Im also a pro development guy.
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Probably, because I'm not a big fan of Whiskey Row - didn't know about this. Just learned tonight. The only reason I walk on that stretch is to go to The Grumpy Sicilian - the best pizza. With all the bars - it gets too trashy, dirty, and too much smoking on the sidewalk (and too many tourist)- but, the pizza is the best. Bill's Pizza on the other side of the courthouse - is popular - just not for me. That is where they shot "Billy Jack" fifty years ago. I respect Whiskey Row - it is historic Arizona - like me. The Palace - with its bar - is the oldest original bar in the territory. I live due south - up high maybe, 400 feet higher about 1 to 2 miles as "the crow flies." So - I see it straight away. The lights of the street - the lights of the alley behind it. You can't really see the courthouse because of all of the trees - but, at xmas - the lights on the trees are real pretty. Later tonight, I'll see a lot of blue and red flashing from the cop cars.
I find it hard to believe that there will be an approval - the chaos and demo alone - would be a nightmare. Isn't Whiskey Row deemed historic. The owner would know what he was getting into when he bought the property. There is an election in a couple of weeks. Connie Cantelme is an incumbent and she is running. She has bought many houses over the years down there and has restored them. Not sure how she would vote on this. It took a long time - but, they did a real nice job with the new bistro in inside the St. Michael Hotel - right on the corner of Gurley and Montezuma - the far north end of Whiskey Row. Very pretty inside - dark wood, etc. The food is ok.
My concern is what is happening around the corner on Cortez between Gurley and Sheldon. All those antique stores. The owners tell me that some heirs of the DuPont family are buying up a lot of the properties and want to turn them into bars and restaurants. Not there.
Better opportunity: South of the corner of Goodwin and Montezuma - up to where Montezuma turns into Whitespar. They are starting to gentrify. They put that new restaurant on the southwest corner. They put a new commercial/retail with apartments on top - half way up Montezuma...and next door - they are gutting an old mini-mart. A new Hotel(?) all these Airstreams - unique place to stay. When they finish landscaping - should be nice. The best Mexican restaurant: Mayas - is on that stretch. Family owned and run. Small ...simple...great food. Just a few benches - order up ...no alcohol served (bring your own beer). The problem on that stretch: a few beat up trailer parks - and drug activity behind in the alley.