I thought it was interesting (but I do have some ties to Chicago as well).

To tie the knot back here--hopefully the PMG development here can have a similar effect on the westside of downtown that it did in Chicago. :cheers:

In Phoenix related news....the Deli Tavern's last day is tomorrow. Bummer...it lasted about a year?

Wait really? That seems weird

Yeah it surprised me too. The announcement is up in their Instagram account...

There is clearly some more to that story, sudden unexpected closure. somebody must be in lots of debt.

I wonder how this will affect Valley Bar, which is under the same ownership and served by the same kitchen. As for Deli Tavern, I liked the place, but during my visits, some people were still wandering in expecting a traditional deli. The concept may not have been as clear to the public as it was to the owners. In any case, with the improvements made to the space, I expect something else to come along quickly.

I would guess Kenect and 200 W Monroe....however, neither of these towers are 30 stories unless they have increased the height 200 W. Monroe. The only other 30 story towers in the works is Palm Court and Central Station.

I liked it OK, but it was always dead. The food was good enough, the bartenders were overly friendly, to the point where it was annoying. But I liked the decor and somewhat sad to see it close.

I doubt they are referencing Kenect considering their FB post already references Akara Kenect as one of their other projects and the other Kenect projects go by "Kenect".

Well their FB post hashtag's Kenect, X (200 W. Monroe), Cambria, Link. Proxy and Stewart. So I guess they could just be generalizing old, current and new projects they are contracted for in general. The 30 story comment was what threw me off...again, could be referencing Link. I guess we'll know soon. :shrug:

True story :tup:

Country Club condo is still possible: https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/...75m-condo.html

Rendering in link

Warnicke said this type of tower belongs closer to the light rail, consistent with the Transit Overlay District Policy Plan that calls for high density focused along the light rail.

With high-rise projects on the west and north sides of his neighborhood, Warnicke is concerned that another tower to the east of his property would hurt his neighborhood. He said he's seen neighborhoods next to high-rise zoning that deteriorate because residents expect the area to eventually become commercial.

"The perception is, your neighborhood isn't going to exist very long," he said. "Why should I continue to put my blood, sweat and tears into my single-family home if it's not gonna be here very long? What happens is homeowners move away and properties become rentals."

While it may take decades for that to happen, it becomes a self-fulfilling perception, he said.

"When you give the green light to high-rises where they don't belong, those high-rises encourage blight," Warnicke said. "I say that height equals blight."

But Graham's mantra is "good for the club, good for the area and good for the city."

Mo Stein, a principal at HKS Architects in Phoenix, isn't involved in the project but as a former member of the Phoenix Planning Commission supports the redevelopment of that corner.

"I haven't seen the detailed city staff report," Stein said. "I understand the city may have had some oppositions at one time, but I think there's different thinking going on from when it all started. The crucial issue here is: Is the plan consistent with the adopted standards and beliefs of the city of Phoenix?"

While he doesn't begrudge Warnicke and his group, Stein said sometimes you just have to think outside of the box.

"We have to do things smarter and more appropriate, not just because it's easy to do but because it makes more sense for how we develop," Stein said. "We're talking about a prominent location."

Ugh :koko: This could not be the furthest from the truth...high-rises do not encourage blight. People need to stick with what they know.

What? I guess he missed the residential push back to zone the lot next to Spaghetti Factory to 180'.

They should double the height of the request just to spite him for his anti-rental elitism.

Overzoning does, however, cause deterioration. Just look at Evans Churchill. Before Urban Form, there was HR zoning *everywhere*. But around 7th and Thomas--half those buildings could stand to be torn down anyways.

I still don’t under stand how this could be an issue when Crystal Point is further east.

No one answered my question on the two tenants at Park Central,lol. I didn’t see it anywhere in that article. That really sucks that The Deli Tavern is closing, going there and Cornish along with Valley Bar makes for a good night. Well, while they are closing I noticed Friends Grill and Cocktails pop up on Yelp yesterday, must be opening right there at Union in the US Bank Tower. Anyone been there yet? Yelp says it’s open from 8 am until 2 am daily. If that’s true that’s a whole lot better than the hours those other spots in Union have!

I really enjoyed Deli Tavern but service had been slow the last few times I went. Still sad to see it go. I wonder if it was partially influenced by the Gov Shutdown. I know some places in Collier Center struggled a bit without a regular lunch crowd. Maybe Deli made most of its sales during the lunch rush and just couldn’t make it up. Hopefully this space will be snatched up quickly.

Among the sudden closures is Rise Coffee on 5th St. I know some don’t care much for Roosevelt Row (or what’s letft) but this was a solid place with a good food menu and drinks. Hard to find a place that does both consistently well. They were planning on opening a bar in the back and were only held up with licenses, but they otherwise had it built and ready. Shame because with the incoming Greenwoood Brewery, there could’ve been a stretch of bars on 5th St ala Rainy St in Austin.

I haven't been to Friends yet. I can't say the generic name is a real draw. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised, but there seems to be no vision for the ground floor of the US Bank Tower. Food and beverage tenants seem to come and go very quickly, and some places almost seem to close before they open.

Rise was really nice and a great rebuttal to those who thought the area was going to hell in a handbasket the moment Jobot closed. I'll miss the place. Keep in mind, though, that a lot of new places have arrived just as these closures have occured. Just this week, Little Rituals and Monroe's Hot Chicken have opened their doors.

Retail and restaurants are always a revolving door. The bars on mill and in old town come and go quickly as well

Kind of confused on this topic. There is a pizza joint (can't remember the name) that has been open for months now on the ground floor and another spot adjacent to the lobby opened last month. Neither one of these spots have had any turnover as they just opened recently. They seem to be doing OK and I have seen customers in both spots after 6 on a week night. Also, a a Bosa Donuts is getting ready to open between the police department and garage entrance on the North side. All in all, Union seems to be doing decent.