Phoenix Development News (3)

[combusean]

I seriously do not understand when in countless cities we have evidence that pedestrian malls downtown have failed far, far more times than they have succeeded--so much that downtowns are re-opening theirs to mixed traffic--that we are seriously considering the idea of closing Adams St, the one of two hopes we have to a functioning east west downtown neighborhood street.

[HooverDam]

Originally Posted by combusean

I seriously do not understand when in countless cities we have evidence that pedestrian malls downtown have failed far, far more times than they have succeeded--so much that downtowns are re-opening theirs to mixed traffic--that we are seriously considering the idea of closing Adams St, the one of two hopes we have to a functioning east west downtown neighborhood street.

Thankfully that notion appears dead. It was being pushed by one Councilman (Nowakoski), who doesn't know diddly about urbanism but happens to represent our downtown.

[mdpx]

Originally Posted by HooverDam

Bah, you know what I meant! I just logged back on here because I thought "oh wait did I say you can go North to South, some sassy molassy is going to correct me."

Either way, there are enough super blocks in downtown Phoenix already. They close this block for December and that's fine, lets not make it a full time thing though. It really does odd things to the traffic flow and will put undue pressure on other streets.

If Phoenix is ever going to have a grand urban street, it'll be Central Ave., super blocking it won't help. Plus depending on how its all aligned, there's a chance Light Rail could be on that block at some point (it could be on all 4 sides of the main CityScape block), so it seems silly to change it and then potentially have to change it again when more rail comes on board.

You're spot on, Hoover. One would guess that those same people who decry Adams or Buchanan sts. being closed would feel the same toward Central, but this forum is full of contrarians.

[Jjs5056]

I was against the closing of Adams and Buchanan, and am opposed to the closure of this piece of Central.

The only "pro" I can think of would be that alcohol would be able to be consumed in the plazas. I'd rather see that happen closer the stadiums/warehouse district for potential peer gardens in the street, etc.

[bwaynoh]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I'm not a fan of pedestrian malls and have spoken out against efforts to make either First Street or Adams into one. That block of Central might just work, though, given how busy the interior of Cityscape can be. Regardless, anyone can voice opinions for or against these proposals during the two open houses being held this week.

I stopped by the open house today and it appears that when Central is planned to be converted to a pedestrian mall between Jefferson and Washington (in 11+ years from now) there will still be a dedicated bus lane and light rail. It seems the main reasoning behind wanting to close it was because once the south and west light rail extensions are completed, the city expects a train to go thru that intersection every 2-3 mins and getting cars thru the signal would cause traffic problems.

[Arquitect]

Originally Posted by bwaynoh

I stopped by the open house today and it appears that when Central is planned to be converted to a pedestrian mall between Jefferson and Washington (in 11+ years from now) there will still be a dedicated bus lane and light rail. It seems the main reasoning behind wanting to close it was because once the south and west light rail extensions are completed, the city expects a train to go thru that intersection every 2-3 mins and getting cars thru the signal would cause traffic problems.

That is pretty good news. It shows some foresight from the city, which unfortunately is a bit uncommon.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by bwaynoh

I stopped by the open house today and it appears that when Central is planned to be converted to a pedestrian mall between Jefferson and Washington (in 11+ years from now) there will still be a dedicated bus lane and light rail. It seems the main reasoning behind wanting to close it was because once the south and west light rail extensions are completed, the city expects a train to go thru that intersection every 2-3 mins and getting cars thru the signal would cause traffic problems.

That makes a lot more sense than creating a ped mall just for the sake of a ped mall. I'll be going to the lunchtime open house on Thursday and look forward to learning more.

[HooverDam]

I went to the Transportation open house, overall they had some good stuff. There were a few things I didn't like, IE turning 1st St into a one way North for seemingly no reason, as they're simultaneously talking about eliminating one ways on 3rd and 5th Ave.

My main complaint is the plan is so long term and slow to be implemented. Seeing things like they think it might take 10 years to fix the 7's is mind numbing, I can't fight for another decade to have human scaled streets downtown, I'll lose my marbles. There's no reason we can't have most of what they were talking about implemented in 2 years, street paint isn't that expensive.

[PHX31]

If ever you want some ammo against the City FOR fixing the 7s, let me know Hoover. My colleague did some pretty interesting, yet basic, research. It really takes what they used as support to keep in the "suicide lanes" and shows they are B.S. from a safety standpoint.

[mdpx]

Originally Posted by bwaynoh

I stopped by the open house today and it appears that when Central is planned to be converted to a pedestrian mall between Jefferson and Washington (in 11+ years from now) there will still be a dedicated bus lane and light rail. It seems the main reasoning behind wanting to close it was because once the south and west light rail extensions are completed, the city expects a train to go thru that intersection every 2-3 mins and getting cars thru the signal would cause traffic problems.

In light of that, it does make sense. Thank you for going and clarifying this, bwaynoh.

[Jjs5056]

Anyone up for reinstating the "Sim-Southwest Visionary Thread" ...? This post probably belongs there, but nobody has posted since 2012. I certainly wouldn't mind this being moved there and hearing some ideas from everyone else on various issues we discuss frequently.

I had asked Arizona Center via Facebook what their facade improvements consisted of and they weren't very helpful. After a few sleepless nights, I drafted up the linked "blueprint" for a revised AZ Center.

Here is the link, and below is the analysis; look forward to hearing any thoughts, ideas, and/or critique. All in fun. :)

LINK: http://flickr.com/gp/69283890@N02/8k6s38

Problems
- Inward facing design of center causes an uninviting fortresss, with views from ASU and Sheraton on 3rd, and Alta Lofts on Filmore, showing nothing but blank, beige walls.
- Van Buren and 5th give view into the wonderful gardens and the retail offerings hidden within the center
- Large portion of site devoted to above-ground parking
- AMC Theater, which turns its back to pedestrians, is oversized per current market trends
- Competition from other development projects with better design have resulted in the Center having to make major changes to tenant roster: most importantly, removing the 2nd floor retail and replacing it with office space
- Remaining retail is mainly eateries and hokie shops such as a "flag shop"

Opportunity
- Take advantage of the growing customer base surrounding the center: permanent residents within nearby Alta Apartments, temporary residents in the ASU downtown dorms and Sheraton Convention Center Hotel, and a growing workforce at the nearby Biomedical Campus, and throughout the CBD.

Approach
- Remove the oversized AMC and adjacent parking garage and surface lot
- Bisect the development with Taylor Street, meant to allow 2-way traffic on a ROW that doesn't have specific boundaries aside from parallel parking, to create a "Shop and Unwind," and "Relax with a Dine" segment within the Center, which banners hung off Palm trees help give a sense of place for customers
- Construct additional N-S ROW to intersect Taylor, allowing for additional parallel parking

Shop and Unwind
- Western portion features a rebuilt 2-story AMC, with 16 theaters and including its signature bar on the 1st level
- Theatre patio would feature a large directory for wayfinding and could be used to promote upcoming movies through posters, dressed up characters, etc.
- A TargetExpress and Dolce Salon and Spa wrap the theatre
- Eastern portion features 1 story commercial businesses with 4 stories of residential above; residential amenities sit above a 2-story garage, with the remaining 4 levels undergrade, also serving back-of-house needs
- H&M, SunGlass Hut, Ulta Beauty Shop. Best Buy Mobile Shop, American Eagle Outfitters, and UPS Store round out the retail mix
- Eastern section is highlighted by an 18-story residential tower facing 5th

Relax with a Dine
- Existing structures kept in place, but outdoor patios and entries were added where possible to connect with the street
- Cafe Roma and Subway offer to-go walkup windows to allow back-house dropoffs
- Signage added to the exterior walls to breakup monotony and attract customers
- 4-story glass rotunda serves as entryway off 3rd; inside, glass elevator can take you to 2nd floor of offices, or 3rd/4th floor of apartments
- A new Sam Fox concept restaurant was constructed with VB frontage, with the back patio exposing patrons to the beautiful gardens to explore afterward
- A new TBD Brewery constructed on 5th, with a patio able to connect with the one with 1130 The Restaurant to create a beer garden on the weekends.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

Here is the link, and below is the analysis; look forward to hearing any thoughts, ideas, and/or critique. All in fun.

LINK: http://flic.kr/p/kv8EP7

The link asks me for a Yahoo user name and password. Is there anyway to set the image to public? I'd like to see a drugstore (CVS or Walgreens) at the AZ Center to complement the one half a mile away at CityScape.

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

The link asks me for a Yahoo user name and password. Is there anyway to set the image to public? I'd like to see a drugstore (CVS or Walgreens) at the AZ Center to complement the one half a mile away at CityScape.

Sorry about that and thank you for the heads up!

How's this? http://flickr.com/gp/69283890@N02/8k6s38

My "proposal" does include a TargetExpress fronting 3rd and Filmore (high visibility to ASU students, as well as Alta and RoPo residents, and BioMed patients and students/teachers) which has a full Pharmacy. Great minds.

I will also note that this should be to scale, not that it is the most professional rendered product. But, the stores chosen would fit given the urban square footages provided online.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

Sorry about that and thank you for the heads up!

How's this? http://flickr.com/gp/69283890@N02/8k6s38

My "proposal" does include a TargetExpress fronting 3rd and Filmore (high visibility to ASU students, as well as Alta and RoPo residents) which has a full Pharmacy, so great minds.

Yes, I can see this now. I like the concept. If I'm reading this right, the parking entrance and exit for the underground lot at the SWC of Fillmore & 5th would both be moved to Fillmore. That would be a definite improvement over the current situation in which the AZC garage has five (!) exit lanes onto 5th Street and many drivers then make a kamikaze maneuver across the entire width of 5th to reach eastbound Fillmore.

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Yes, I can see this now. I like the concept. If I'm reading this right, the parking entrance and exit for the underground lot at the SWC of Fillmore & 5th would both be moved to Fillmore. That would be a definite improvement over the current situation in which the AZC garage has five (!) exit lanes onto 5th Street and many drivers then make a kamikaze maneuver across the entire width of 5th to reach eastbound Fillmore.

Thanks! And, yes, that was one of the initial changes - streamlining the underground entrances and placing them where they make sense.

A hotel could easily be plopped onto the green lawn on 5th, but I'm not sure what that would do the Center's urban aesthetic. It would essentially be another office building with little relation to the street, gardens, etc. So, for now, I actually like leaving it as an event lawn, where maybe music acts can perform every once in a while, or food trucks lineup for a picnic...

[poconoboy61]

Townhomes planned north of the NW corner of 3rd Avenue and McKinley.

http://belfiorereconsulting.wordpres...-land-closing/

Metrowest Development recently closed on an approximate 17,500 square foot preliminary platted site located north of the northwest corner of McKinley Street and 3rd Avenue. The site, according to preliminary plat submittals, is planned for 10 attached townhome units and is being branded by Metrowest Development as “Townhomes on 3rd.” The three-story units will all be approximately 1,568 square feet each and will include a one-car garage. The development will also include four off-site spaces for a total of 14 provided parking spaces.

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by poconoboy61

Townhomes planned north of the NW corner of 3rd Avenue and McKinley.

http://belfiorereconsulting.wordpres...-land-closing/

Honestly, it's hard to take these guys seriously until the shovel is in the ground, given that Union on Roosevelt was tossed around 5 or so years ago and has still yet to take off.

On top of these townhomes, some items worth noting re: MetroWest:
1) Union on Roosevelt - MW told me work was to begin 2 weeks ago - is now condos instead of market rate rentals
2) Looks like they've won the city's RFP for the vacant lots along 2nd Ave, if I'm reading correctly. Kind of disappointing, if so, as they have a lot on their plate, and I would rather see another company dedicate their time to this endeavor.

http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/int...ent_formal.pdf

^ item 13 re: 2nd ave.

[rocksteady]

Originally Posted by HooverDam

A huge upgrade from what we have? Sure. But what sort of accomplishment is that? The park is a skid row, anything will be an improvement. The question is not "is this better than what exists?" the question should be "is this the best possible plan?"

My street had our second neighborhood watch meeting tonight and our guest speaker was a police officer that patrols our area (I'm near 24th and Osborn). One of the neighbors asked about the increase in homeless people they have been seeing in the area. Before my neighbor could finish the police officer interrupted and said "Have you heard about the new Hance Park proposal?". She went on to say that before any work has even begun, the "spotlight" and increased activity there has them scattering like roaches. There has been an uptick in calls all over the downtown region and will be that way until they find a new area to call home. She advised reporting any unusual activity so their "new grounds" can be documented and the ones who are committing crimes likely have warrants and can be booked.

[Jjs5056]

What resources are available in other cities that aren't here, causing such a problem with the homeless population? Coming from NYC, I'm rather unfazed, but in Manhattan and most cities, the average citizen outnumbers the homeless, thus making them seem less invasive.

I think part of it is a society that has turned its back on the grit of where their roots lie; IMO, Tempe really isn't all that bad.

OTOH, I doubt the upscale neighborhoods surrounding downtown Portland or Seattle need to worry about them "scurrying" during a park renovation.

Are there shelters, housing, etc? I just don't understand what the solution is from that standpoint.

[mdpx]

Originally Posted by rocksteady

My street had our second neighborhood watch meeting tonight and our guest speaker was a police officer that patrols our area (I'm near 24th and Osborn). One of the neighbors asked about the increase in homeless people they have been seeing in the area. Before my neighbor could finish the police officer interrupted and said "Have you heard about the new Hance Park proposal?". She went on to say that before any work has even begun, the "spotlight" and increased activity there has them scattering like roaches. There has been an uptick in calls all over the downtown region and will be that way until they find a new area to call home. She advised reporting any unusual activity so their "new grounds" can be documented and the ones who are committing crimes likely have warrants and can be booked.

The cop sounds like a d*%chebag.