UP|Arizona

Mesa

MJLO — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:53:57 +0000

I think that's great! Where in East Mesa are they looking to build?

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Mesa

nuplanner — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:41:33 +0000

The city of Mesa has secured the Cactus leagues most profitable team in staying in Arizona and Mesa.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/149977

Now what do you guys think about what is being talked about? A Wrigley field west that has entertainment, retail, restaurants, office and hotels?

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Mesa

nuplanner — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:36:03 +0000

MJLO, on 03 March 2008 - 10:32 AM, said:

Silverbear made an interesting point in another thread, about Mesa focusing on Transit Oriented Development. Can anyone tell me what the cities plans are for working on it's established west end? I think if Mesa were to have any kind of shot and solidifying itself it would be done on it's psuedo downtown area.

They finished it a while ago. It is called the west main street area plan. Its only if you want to check it out.

Also, the central corridor in downtown Mesa is getting ready for the extension and they are doing a similar plan as they did for west Mesa, but more focused on downtown and making it more dense and the city center to a point.

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Arizona off-topic

MJLO — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:31:27 +0000

News in most places have slowed down. Oddly enough in my hometown they still seem to be seeing a steady stream of new projects, which is crazy cause it's in Michigan. But I still have high hopes to see AZ evolve into a much more urban-centric state, and not just a poster child for suburban growth

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Arizona Photo of the day

MJLO — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:27:57 +0000

holy crap i've been gone to long! What stages are the cityscape towers in?

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Metro Phoenix Development thread

MJLO — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:24:38 +0000

I certainly don't disagree with you about smart growth and planning. I understand what you are saying. My problem is that I see valley residents, as having no vision at all. It's not about smart developement, it's about ANY developement. There are cities in the valley who will let anything in. I'd say west valley cities tend to be alot more liberal about growth. East Valley cities, namely Scottsdale, and Mesa, (mostly Scottsdale) tend to be very controlling as to how things are done. People in central Phoenix have built an invisible wall from south mountaint to the northern ranges, might as well have put a sign up telling developers " don't even bother". And lets face it, people in Tucson start hyperventilating and need blood pressure medication whenever they even see the word "change", no matter what context it might be used.

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Speed Camera's

MJLO — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:10:53 +0000

Yay I beat a few radar tickets myself. Glad to see people wising up about them!

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Metro Phoenix Development thread

nuplanner — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:32:35 +0000

City north is actually on the boarder of Scottsdale and Phx, not Peoria.

Now to answer MLJO comment about density and the valley. First of all, you have to look at the history of this valley and when it grew. 80% of what exist right now is post world war II. You look at what was the norm, it was sprawling, car centered, separate uses type of development. That just didn’t happen here, but everywhere. Second, there are few obstacles to restrict growth such as large mtn ranges, body’s of water and so forth. Next is, people came here because it was cheap, and people could own land and single family home with great desert views. This is the west too, cant forget that.

Now in this forum, we talk about density, but what truly is density? Is it a tall skyscraper? Or is it a tight nit neighborhood and city of varied densities that met the needs of the people? I would say the latter. In fact, the whole city of LA one of or the highest density per sq mile than any other city in the country. However, people drive, and drive, and drive. Here is some data.

http://www.demographia.com/db-ua2000-4dense.htm

I would like to see an iconic downtown, but honestly, I really do not see that happening. I hope it does fill in all means that expands our small skyline that is seen on tv. I think that will happen, especially north of downtown. Also, density for the sack of density is not always a good, sustainable model. You have to work with your environment, and in the desert, you have to be very smart in how you encourage density. I think Phx’s urban form project addresses this from the best I have seen in any research I have done.

However, the way the valley is, you have to find ways to expand density in smart ways and use what we have already created in this valley. That to me means pockets of density, or urban villages. Most downtowns are restricted by height, development, use, prop 207 and so forth. Next, land is still relatively cheap, and it is cheaper to go out than up on many fronts.

I think Pinal county has looked at growth in a smart way in there comprehensive plan and scenarios. Good to look up sometime.

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Arizona off-topic

colin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:02:37 +0000

I ended up with a Tucson job, but don't particularly like it. Whatever though.
I probably won't be in AZ more than another year or so. My girlfriend will likely be getting a faculty job somewhere, which will move her and, frankly, I'm probably ready to go too. I like Arizona a lot, but it's time to move on. When I moved out here, I said I'd be out here for at least five years, and it's passed six now. With the lease I'm on now (we have a townhouse near Campbell/River), it'll be at least seven before I move. That'll pass up Houston for the longest I've ever lived anywhere, which will actually be nice, because Houston sucks, and I've always been a little embarrassed by that fact.
Until then, I'll try to post some urban development related stuff. The news is a bit dead now, especially here in Arizona, but there is some positive stuff coming out here in Tucson. I'll have to pay more attention to Phoenix too.

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Speed Camera's

colin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:56:10 +0000

I read an article the other day stating that there is a good chance that the speed cameras will be taken down. Revenue has been lower than expected, especially with more people learning the loophole in Arizona's law, which states that simply mailing the ticket does not constitute service, so you don't have to legally respond. Of course, if they decide to serve you using an officer or process server, there's an extra fee, but that doesn't seem to happen much. There have also been a couple of incidents involving them. Not sure if everyone heard about the thing on the 51 in Phoenix, I think this summer, where someone pulled off and shot up one of the radar vans, killing a man inside.
I was in court in October in Chandler, fighting a speeding ticket from Gilbert PD (I hate Gilbert), and, while waiting, a lady came in with a red light ticket. The judge, out of the blue, addressed the court and said the following, in summary: If you ever get a red light violation or a speed camera violation, don't pay it and don't respond. It was strange, but it just backed up what I had known about the speed cameras, as he said pretty much what's above. There are a few speed cameras in suburban Tucson now (only unincorporated Pima County has them in certain places) and I think it's funny to blow by people who are creeping along trying to avoid them. Because, that's the other thing about them: they only go off if you're going more than 10mph over the speed limit. Not many people seem to know that.
Oh, and, by the way, I beat the ticket: no fine, no court costs, all charges dismissed.

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Metro Phoenix Development thread

colin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:40:49 +0000

Thought I'd throw something in here. I'll actually be in Phoenix, for a weekend, at the end of the month, so I'll take some pics then.
Daily Star article
Gist of the article: CityNorth has been foreclosed upon. It was to be a 144-acre mixed-use development in the Peoria area. This probably isn't a shock to anyone, considering Phoenix's real estate scene right now, but I thought I'd post.

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Mesa's Gateway Center

nuplanner — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:54:28 +0000

A lot has gone on since the last post of this area. Gateway was approved by voters as you all know, and the area has been awarded as one of the best plans of the 21st century. That is great, especially for Mesa. The airport is doing well, and has got some funds to expand and upgrade the terminal. Allegiant or whatever they are called is doing well and continues to add flights to the airport. Also the AzAI is in this area looking to upgrade the area in the aerospace industry. The gateway are is also being discussed about building a new stadium for the cubs (which I dont think is a good idea at this time. Gaylord is raising capital to build the resort and is looking like they will move forward with it in a few years.

Even with the down economy, there is still movement in this area.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/146058

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/146100

Now this person could flip it or not, but I like the idea and concept of this development to be more flexible than most. Plus, this is a huge piece of land and people are moving ahead and seeing the vision and the potential of the area.

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Cityscape construction thread

MJLO — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:51:02 +0000

anyone have any pics to update Cityscape progress?

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Centerpointe Condo's

MJLO — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:49:48 +0000

any news on this front?

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2050 transportation options

MJLO — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:47:10 +0000

nuplanner, on Oct 14 2009, 08:19 PM, said:

I think this comment hits on something that has bothered me about the valley since I first moved here. First of all, part of the problem, is that population growth has simply out paced the capacity of the infrastructure, to where the state would be playing catch up with the population regardless. But more importantly, why do long time valley natives stand so firmly in the way of progress? I can see where some people want to preserve a certain way of life, but they are also preventing Phoenix from becoming a true national player. The Valley lacks alot of amenities that would make it attractive to new companies and profesionals, and those people want nothing to do with things that could help change that. Thereby solidifying PHX into permanant mediocrity, doomed do a boom/bust economy fueled only by growth itself. This is no bueno.

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Metro Phoenix Development thread

MJLO — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:06:38 +0000

This annoys me This is the crap about PHX that annoys me to no end. To be a sustainable city, there needs to be density. Why the hell is it, that whenever anything of substantial height gets proposed in the Valley, do the residents cause such a crap storm that anyone willing to invest, outside of a giant retail box gives up? Can someone tell me, maybe a Valley insider, maybe a native, why is it that Arizonans hate tall buildings so damn much?

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2050 transportation options

nuplanner — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:19:28 +0000

From freeways, light rail, and commuter rail; I think most of this will come to fruition. The high speed rail is a different story I think. I think the 5th largest city should have a connection at least to the 2nd largest city in the nation.

I think this goes to show how Arizona is always behind the trends and curve of innovation. We seem to always be waiting to see what happens and not creative or innovative till this day.

Some history for you all. About 40-50 years ago, many in the valley did not want freeways, or the connection of I-10 between Phx and LA. That eventually happen in the 70's. This could be good or bad because many saw that this would help this area boom and many did not want that.

In the early 80�s, the life cycle program that has been finished (besides the south mtn loop) was voted and approved. One freeway the state wanted was the Paradise valley freeway. A east-west freeway that was north of I-10 section that plowed through many neighborhoods and was overturned and never built. During this same time, planners tried with this before hand to get Monorail, which of course was voted down. It took till Prop 400 to get light rail or any mass transit system outside of busses. We could have been at the forefront and the valley could have looked different then it does today. But of course, residents voted it down and are behind the curve for almost 2 decades.

Now, we can continue to move forward by building more roads (freeways) and allow the valley to expand outwards and sprawl into the virgin desert. That is what you see with the 400 miles of freeways. Yes, over 300 miles of rail is in the plan, but you don�t see that apart of the map. I think it shows that we still are not innovative or ahead of the curve. We focus on roads!

Now, I believe we should be looking at high speed rail routs. Im not sure if that is a pressing need, but should be thought about, planned for if we have possible routes etc. I do really like the idea of the solar high speed trail. It�s a creative idea and should turn some heads. But money will always be an issue.

I think the most important issues before expanding more freeways is to look at alternative transit and to speed that forward. This is how I see it as of importance if we are going to plan in phases.

Commuter rail
Light rail
Freeways
High Speed Rail

This is going off a bit, but if you look at how Pinal county looked at how they are going to grow, you might have to say it was a very creative for a rural county to do. We have see AZ reality check, but does this transportation plan reflect that?

http://www.azonefuture.com/

This might be out of the norm, especially here. Why don�t we reverse this plan of freeways and transit, and look at the land we want to preserve and set aside for open space? Why not plan around our natural beauties instead of where roads go? Roads should be one of the last things thought about IMO.

That is my two cents. Now I would like to hear what you all think about this?

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2050 transportation options

MJLO — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:17:18 +0000

what's the chance that any of this actually comes to fruition?

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2050 transportation options

nuplanner — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:27:40 +0000

Some interesting articles that came out latley in the az repub about the growth the valley is predicted to gain.

First is about 400 new freeway miles and 320 miles of rail.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/n...refreeways.html

The next is about high speed rail, and how the valley is not on the feds plans? Kind of weird that the fifth largest city is not connected to the 2nd largest citeis etc.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/traffic/ligh...strail1008.html

last is about a concept some have been talking about for high speed rail.
http://www.solarbullet.com/Front_page/index.html

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Phoenix 2009

Louisiana Thunder — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:58:58 +0000

impressive photo

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Phoenix 2009

nuplanner — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:11:04 +0000

The pic is really cool, but the economy has killed this view of what downtown could have looked like. Its sad that only a handful of buildings have been built, and built much lower than approved and as reported. If we are ever going to get any height in downtown, it will have to be closer to I-10, but then you have to fight with the residences in the area that are close by.

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Arizona off-topic

MJLO — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:27:34 +0000

holy crap it's Colin! I thought we lost you man. Sounds like you've been having fun dude, can't blame you. If you end up in Phoenix i'm sure we'd all be happy to see you

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Tucson Downtown/Rio Nuevo Thread

colin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:50:46 +0000

44 E Broadway?
There was an article a few days ago that stated the property has gone into foreclosure. The office had sat for years, unused, and appeared to be unoccupied. One of several Downtown residential developments that tanked.
Here it is: link, although I read a different article.

This is in this current issue of the Weekly:
Missing Links
The article details one business owner's interaction with ADOT and the City's Downtown Links program. That program was responsible for the reconstructed Fourth Avenue underpass (which finally reopened about a month ago) and the realignment of both Sixth and Stone Avenues south of Downtown to two-way streets.

Also this: Link
Maynard's took the empty void of the failed Central Bistro inside of the refurbished train depot. I don't think that many people had faith in it, except that it was owned by the Hotel Congress guy, which gave it more hope. What's worked for the market is word of mouth and a weekly event that started less than a year: Meet Me at Maynard's. This is a running (or walking) event that takes place every Monday evening. It's been very successful. I know a few people who attend it regularly. Now that the underpass is back open, you should see more people not only at this event, but using the underpass to get over to Fourth Ave.

I also wanted to point out a couple of my Downtown observations.
If you haven't been to On a Roll yet, you should go for their happy hour. M-F, 4-6. Selected rolls are half price, draft beer is $3.50. Saturday reverse happy hour sees selected $1 nigiri and $2.50 drafts. Seriously, the best happy hour in town right now, because the sushi is actually really damn good. I'm not associated with the place, I'm just a big fan, and I'm really happy that they've managed to stay open.
Of the few dance clubs that I've set foot in, Asylum was the only club that I actually liked. It went under over a year ago, but their recently and seemingly randomly sprang up a new club there. The club was not only busy, but actually had a huge line down the street waiting to get in. Lots of pretty young people looking their best, so this is not Asylum (I used to go in there in flip-flops and jeans). I don't recall the name of the club, and that was a few weeks ago, but I do wish them the best. Downtown, and especially that part of Congress, need to liven things up.

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Metro Phoenix Development thread

colin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:31:22 +0000

I still get up to Phoenix fairly often. I know that most of the central Tempe condos and other structures were completed, but I don't think that they ended up selling very well. The Sheraton Downtown was built.
I went to a concert in Downtown Phoenix in the early spring, but haven't really been back since, except while driving through (I drove through the tunnel a couple of days ago, actually, but didn't exit). I'll check it out one day soon while I'm still unemployed.

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Arizona off-topic

colin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:27:38 +0000

Hi!
Sorry for the long lapse in activity. No excuse for myself, but maybe it was the job that I took ended up actually keeping me busy.
But I quit the job at the end of May and have been traveling since. First up to Canada and out to Newfoundland, down to Costa Rica, to DC for a few days, driving around the Great Plains, and I'm recently back from a California and Utah national parks tour. I have one more trip coming up next week that'll take me to the Midwest, but only for a week. I'm working on a new job now, but I may end up in stupid Phoenix. The market is getting better here, but it's not as easy to find a job in my field anymore.
I'll try to post some stuff on Tucson development, because there are some things going on here.

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Jackson Street Entertainment Disctrict

MJLO — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:30:01 +0000

We'll see, If Downtown could havce more than just financial offices down there, say maybe a couple big companies move in, that could really go along at getting things where they want them to be. AZ needs more headquartered companies in general.

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Jackson Street Entertainment Disctrict

nuplanner — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:15:18 +0000

ok, back to the topic. I should have looked for this before I went off. my bad. So I guess the city passed it, now it is the developers hands now.

http://www.downtownphoenixjournal.com/2009...istrict-moving/

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Jackson Street Entertainment Disctrict

nuplanner — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:09:59 +0000

I know what you mean. money is a major issue for any project, especially a mixed use one in downtown like this. But I now at least the owner has major cash as a former dbacks and suns part owner. but Im not sure if he has enough to finance it himself of course.

to the comment about change in this valley. The boom of people the last few decades is why downtown is the way it is. Cheap land, affordability drove the growth and economy. SFH was the best option to make money here, not really to invest in downtown, which is the CBD, like most older cities. I live in denver as I said, and this is how Denver was two decades ago. With time, projects and private investment and public investment and planning, the downtown is changing. Phx is behind the trend of course, and the economic downturn IMO has really hurt the potential of our downtowns. I personally feel that the skyline will not be that impressive decades down the road. I think we will have more buildings, but due to sprawl, I think we will see more urban villages/central hubs. The major one IMO will be downtown Phx. I think you will see ones like Mesa gateway pop up, tempe, and north scottsdale continue to grow, north phx and the west valley in addition to that. I think these will be your major ones and then mid size and smaller ones as this valley progresses and changes to be more of a sustainable, different type of urbansim than your traditional urban centers. We are so spread out that I believe that this is what is going to happen. It will take some time, if we have that time. But many are thinking of this as growth is predicted to continue. Same with issues with water and the environment and the local economy. We have a huge hurdle and many challenges ahead. But if we do it right, get ahead of the curve and make sure we plan for the future, and AZ can be a place that is a great place to live and adapts to current and future challenges.

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Arizona Photo of the day

Louisiana Thunder — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:21:14 +0000

a few from this morning...

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What are Arizona's Economic driving factors?

MJLO — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:21:01 +0000

I'm suprised, Arizonas economy is still fairing better than much of the nation even with the bubble bursting. It's a shame, It doesn't have dozens of powerhouse fortune500 companies to create stability. PHX will never truly be a player unless it can gain the stability and notoriety that places like MSP, and SEA have, because they are huge knowlege based economies, home to those huges companies.

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