Phoenix people, I just saw the rendering of the Pin. I am so sorry that you guys have to deal with that.
http://inhabitat.com/big-wants-to-pu...rvation-tower/
With 4 and a half million people. Phoenix is already on the map.
Anyway....
Andreq
My definition of regular people was those who are not hippies, hipsters, occupy protestors Ect. I simply meant people who
Point being, I have more of a problem with what is sold inside the stores at 4th ave rather than what the building's condition is. Yea the new students are going to help sales but not for all stores because some are completely irrelevant to what these people need. I can see the restaurants and bars thriving, for sure but people need grocery stores, clothing stores and hardware stores. At this point I don't care if a Target Urban (if that's what it's called) comes by and inhabits the lobby of the cadence. I think that a trader joes would also be nice at the lobby of a building. The housing developers have taken advantage of the student population and streetcar but the retail side of this has not taken off.
I hate to break it to you but forth avenue does NOT have something for everyone. Unless everybody is in need of some metal yard art sculptures and Tucson postcards.
Famerk
Yes the Parisization is what can make Tucson become a great city. I imagine what the city would be like in 20 years. I always hope that the area between downtown and the UofA becomes full of 4-8 story buildings. Torch those old crappy "Historic" homes for all I care (the Pioneer fire guy got released from prison today). Sure they're nice for their age but their time on this planet has come to an end. Nobody wants a 70 year old home without air conditioning and has only 1000 square feet but cost more than a new suburban home. I read an EXTREMELY biased news article by the Tucson daily (or so I think) and its this middle aged woman talking about how awful the district on 5th is and how bad it looks, how she and many others attend candle light vigils for homes that get demolished. I'm not joking, people mourn and cry over demolition of an empty home.
Elsewhere
I know that Phoenix has built more than the Sheraton this era, they've built buildings taller than any here in Tucson but relative to the size of the city we should not look up to Phoenix for a healthy downtown. Cities like Atlanta and Miami have built themselves a much healthier downtown than Phoenix.
For the better of Tucson and Phoenix, we need to eliminate Casa Grande Development. A high speed rail SHOULD do the trick, as long as it's nonstop but for some reason the decision of stopping in Casa Grande will be up to them, even though they'll only account for 2% of all riders.