Quote:
Originally Posted by TakeFive
Aside from the lot reserved for football block parties, over the next couple of decades I see the area between light rail and Camelback Road, from downtown to Scottsdale Road as being an area for continued densification, development, redevelopment, gentrification and renovation.
The blocks closest to light rail, to Camelback and to downtown are the most natural for this. Not everywhere of course but clusters of development are very likely wherever the opportunity is easiest or sets root.
|
Interesting thought. I had a similar one this weekend.
Phoenix's skyline will never be tall, or wide. BUT, it could be impressively long. Hang with me here for a minute...
Phoenix has one thing on its side. Growth in population. Lately, that population wants to be downtown, midtown and Arcadia. If this pace of development is sustained for the next 25 years, I could see a scenario where the skyline stretches from downtown, through midtown, then makes a turn East between Indian School and Camelback to reach the Biltmore.
We've already seen a flurry of 4-6 story developments near Roosevelt. Now we are seeing some 4-8 story developments in midtown. Over time I think we see more 15-20 story apartments/condos downtown, and more 8-12 story apartments/condos in midtown.
We have also seen development along Indian School and Camelback begin to hit 4-5 stories in places. It's scattered, and not necessarily urban, but it's headed in the right direction. Over time, I think we could see even more of this is the 5-7 story range, then 8-12 stories around the Biltmore.
Of course, most of the development would be 5-10 stories, which hardly makes for an impressive skyline, however, there are always outliers. I think you'd see sporadic 8-15 story development all over.
This would make for a really impressive dense city feel. Not wide, but long, and winding. You combine this with the continued growth of Tempe's skyline and the Valley is looking pretty damn cool.
This would really be boosted if Scottsdale ever got on the Light Rail boat and took light rail to Camelback, then swung it West to meet the existing line at Camelback in Central.