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Thanks for the tip, I was foiled by "apartments" instead of "lofts."
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Not sure if this is actually new or just an announcement of something we've known about, but UofA is building a 10-story building at the biotech campus downtown.
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/b...l.html?ana=fbk |
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I could really see that Central Station project coming to life now. The demand continues to increase for housing downtown! |
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not new, i think he is talking about the Cancer center
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Check the ASU/UA Downtown thread. |
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The only way to get change in this city is to have politicians who are willing to either commit political suicide or somehow drum up enough support from local residents (again, not going to happen) to proceed with something unique to Phoenix. It is unfortunate, but it is reality. I think that the easiest way to get around this challenge is for the city to find an economically challenged neighborhood where a good number of residents would be agreeable to a neighborhood transformation to reduce crime, attract jobs, etc. and try higher density there. A good start might be along S. Central where the light rail might travel one day. I think the city could upzone areas along Central to require much higher building heights and more traditional urban design. Seeing as the city almost completely lacks this, I think if this came to fruition and was successful it might lessen resistance in other neighborhoods toward adopting this style. But in neighborhoods that are well established, with neighbors with strong political influence, strong neighborhood groups, transformation will not be happening any time soon. Quote:
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http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/b...=image_gallery Whoo hoo! |
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To my knowledge, Phoenix has been the last city in the US to build out it's freeway system: all the loops post date the 1970s, and, new loops continue to be built. *************** Part of the current problem relates to the velocity of change of demographics which have occurred in virtually every US city after WWII that developed very extensive single family sprawl, and, is proportional to the rate of expansion of this sprawl and the time in which the sprawl occurred. Phoenix has been one of the last US cities to go through it's explosive suburban growth period. This US wide process is compounded in Phoenix by the small size of the urban core built prior to this explosive suburban growth and by the lack of old small towns surrounding the core. The city of Phoenix never grew large enough in the railroad age to have extensive railroad right-of-ways available for (relatively) cheap lines. Likewise, Phoenix never had many possible potential right-of-ways connecting downtown to railroad age small towns due to the paucity of such towns. **************** The problem, is, however, that suburban growth as shown in cities such as Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and, Atlanta will not continue due to interacting factors relating to rising material and energy costs due to national and global factors beyond local control. For example, housing subsidies resulting from extraordinarily low interest rates which permit builders to purchase high priced materials while providing the purchaser with (fairly) low interest costs will end, and, housing prices will have to adjust to a more accurate mark to market pricing system. Housing costs, for the bottom 90% or more will change dramatically, perhaps morphing further into 3 to 5 story rentals, owned by corporations. Another example might be the rapid rise of air conditioning and transportation costs upon the same 90 (or so) percent, with the real costs of reconstructing the housing stock and replacing the automobile fleet greater than the ability of people to pay due, again, to global demand. So Phoenix is stuck with what it has, and, will pay a very high price for it's mistakes. While this also can be said about all large US cities, Phoenix is afflicted with a far more severe case of the "past mistakes" than most. For example, Phoenix does not have an extensive downtown building supply to convert into "micro apartments" such as NYC, Pittsburgh, and, Chicago have. Likewise, Phoenix does not have affordable right of way to provide time efficient BRT, light rail, or commuter rail options. Only smart thinking, combined with both the willingness and the available money to invest in energy efficient, small dwellings within an hour transportation distance of employment will save Phoenix from imploding (not so much in population but in both footprint and relative wealth). |
I second what Wizened said about the The post-WWII population surge, railroad era and so forth. Phoenix was also swept up in the advent of housing developments, by John F. Long and others, that started here in Phoenix and spread across the U.S.
Along with all this, there was a habit of annexing new areas to swallow up taxable land before other cities could. That's why Tempe got essentially landlocked between Scottsdale/Mesa/Phoenix (and probably a reason, why the city seems to be welcoming upward growth with open arms compared to Phoenix) There are numerous reasons for Pheonix's massive expansion. But now Phoenix finds itself having to change tack, because it can't keep spreading, the housing market is still rough, and it needs to find more tax revenue. This, I think is one reason why they've begun to consider improving density. I do want to throw out a word of caution, while it's on my mind... if you look at the oldest plat maps, and overlay a little bit of history, you'll find that some of those empty lots around town are actually archaeological gold mines. They're empty for a reason. Remember why Phoenix is named the way it is. Duppa, Y.T. Smith and others settled an area with numerous ancient structures - not just Casa Grande. And Phoenix has one of THE most powerful Archaeological departments in the U.S. In fact, its the template for most other city Archaeological offices around the Country, to my understanding. With that power to shut down a construction project, it can get a little tricky to build on some of these lots. I do believe most of the downtown vacant lots are already pre-developed land, though. So, not as big a challenge with in-fill projects closer in ... though the Maricopa County Sherriff's office might dissagree ;) |
Developers look to revive Phoenix Observation Tower project
Mike Sunnucks Senior Reporter Phoenix Business Journal May 16, 2014 The proposed 420-foot pinwheeling Phoenix Observation Tower may have a second chance at life. Novawest LLC, the development firm proposing the tourism attraction, is talking to a private landowner in Phoenix about the tower project. This comes after a plan to locate the tower next to the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix fell through earlier this year. “The Observation Tower is still looking at sites downtown and is in negotiations with a private landowner,” said Novawest spokesman said. He declined to give any other information about the site. A Danish architectural firm designed the tower as an open-air pinwheel with observation decks, restaurant and stores, and special event space. It has been touted as a tourist attraction akin to Seattle’s Space Needle and Toronto’s CN Tower. It also could be an attraction for conventioneers and other downtown visitors. Tower promoters hoped to get the structure built and opened before next year’s Super Bowl in Glendale. Downtown Phoenix is hosting a number of events for the big game. The Phoenix tower would be approximately 39 stories. The Chase Tower, at 40 stories, is the tallest building in Phoenix. |
wait... this tower would be shorter than the Chase tower???
lame. I like that they want to do this.. but really? At least try to eke out another 70 feet so it's the tallest. |
Hilarious to think they think they want to open it before the super bowl. On a more likely note, anyone been by the hotel Monroe site? Any work being done? I really hope that one is open before the super bowl.
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No, there is no movement with the Hotel Monroe. The building looks the same as it has and there is no signs that anyone has touched the building any time recently. I highly doubt it will be open prior to the Super Bowl. I would be extremely concerned about the quality if it somehow opened to the public by then. Quote:
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Neighborhoods like Happy Valley and Ahwatukee are not going to change and have no hope of changing (and for the record, I went to high school in Ahwatukee, I couldn't wait to get out). |
Anyone know if central building has been demolished yet along with the old apartments to make way for the Union and new Hotel?
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The apartments are gone for Union, I'm pretty sure we would've heard about the Central Building's demolition.
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