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Originally Posted by Obadno
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Phoenix is readying a redevelopment request for a downtown parcel to incorporate the Central Station transit depot — again.
In 2013, the city chose a developer to create a high-rise apartment complex on the 2.6-acre site, bounded by First Avenue to the west, Central Avenue to the east, Polk Street to the north and Van Buren Street to the south.
During the planning process, developer Bill Smith of Chicago-based Smithfield Properties died. His family opted not to continue the process and sent the city back to the drawing board.
“Downtown is a far different place than it was in 2013,” said Chris Mackay, Phoenix's community and economic development director. “At the time, there was no high-rise residential, so the city had a bent focus on residential. Now, the concept is to issue this as a true mixed-use site.”
Transit must be the development's first priority, meaning it must be functional for those riding Valley Metro buses and light rail. Mackay said ground-floor commercial — such as a grocery store, café and retail space — would be welcomed. Seating areas, shade and drinking fountains for passengers waiting for a bus or train would also enhance the site.
“We want to create a space that draws people in,” Mackay said.
The city will benefit from a long-term revenue stream from the property's lease, and the city is aiming to create as much density near the light-rail stations as possible, Mackay said.
“It creates more of an 18-hour economy here,” she said.
Mackay pointed out there is a very low vacancy rate for office space downtown, so office space, residential uses, hotels and other uses would be welcome proposals.
The parcel's zoning designation allows for nearly any use, Mackay said, minus industrial or manufacturing uses.
The site is directly south of Civic Space Park, which is not included in the request and will remain a park regardless of what is built as an outcome of the RFP.
“We want to create a sense of place with the development,” Mackay said. “It can’t be a development that’s just a box. The new developments are redefining what downtown looks like, what our skyline looks like – and the same-old, same-old development won’t succeed on this corner.”
The city has a plan for what will happen with light rail and bus service during construction, but Mackay said generally these projects happen in phases, which could diminish some effects on transit service.
The project has garnered national and international interest, Mackay said.
Tentative plans are for the City Council to release the RFP on June 25. The proposals are expected to be due in August. Mackay said once the proposals go through the review process, a developer is selected and negotiations are complete, construction could begin on the parcel in late 2020.
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