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The Downtown Voices Coalition Steering Committee met on Saturday, Oct. 11 and, my oh my, so much was discussed and debated.

Friends and Supporters of Downtown Voices Coalition:

 

What did we learn at Saturday’s Downtown Voices Coalition Steering Committee meeting? Let’s just say, a lot! Put down everything you’re doing, top off your cup of coffee, and read below:

 

ISSUES

 

FLIGHT PATH. On September 18, the Federal Aviation Administration changed their westbound flight path from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport without any formal public input. The new flight path turns west and north much closer to downtown and several residential neighborhoods. As a result, more noise complaints have been submitted to airport officials in two weeks than in all of 2013. A community meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 16 with the FAA, City officials, and interested residents. Details here.

 

WINDOWS. The issue of window replacement in historic homes was brought up. Sound-proofing and energy efficiency benefits may be offset by replacements that aren’t in keeping with the original character of the house, threatening the home’s eligibility for the state historic tax reclassification program. It was recommended that DVC ask for a review of the Historic Preservation Office’s policies and procedures about window replacement review and permitting, and whether the PreserveHistoricPHX planning document address windows.

 

PLANS. Everyone in attendance was encouraged to spend time, individually and as representatives of various groups, reviewing the urban planning plans now wending their way through the bowels of City Hall, including the General Plan Update, PreserveHistoricPHX, TalkTransportation.org, and Walkable Urbanism Code.

 

REINVENT PHX. Individuals and groups involved in the Reinvent Phoenix process are encouraged to keep everyone else abreast of the latest news, information, and planning efforts. The submission deadline is coming up for the Midtown District’s priority list. Midtown should be a good “lens” for getting things accomplished in the future. Some elements of the Gateway/Eastlake District plan need to be revised and updated. For example, some of the performance measures aren’t under the control/jurisdiction of the Planning and Development Department. For any priority list, interested individuals and groups will need to advocate for plan approval and financing at the Mayor and City Council level.

 

TRANSPO PLANNING. First of all, everyone is welcome to continue submitting ideas, issues, and concerns about the roll-out, maintenance, and evolution of the downtown parking meter program. The program’s history, rationale, talking points, updates, and contact information are online here. Secondly, elements of the Downtown Phoenix Comprehensive Transportation Plan continue to be rolled out; for example, sidewalk, street, drainage, and landscaping improvements in the Warehouse District; four-way stop signs at 5th St. and Fillmore; and a review of two-way streets in several downtown areas. Thirdly, the draft Bicycle Master Plan will be reviewed by the Phoenix City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Oct. 21.

 

PROP 487. After discussion, the DVC Steering Committee unanimously passed a motion to draft and send a letter in opposition to Proposition 487 (Phoenix Pension Reform). While everyone agrees that reform is necessary, the Phoenix City Council has already acted and their recommendations should be given time to be implemented.

 

DEVELOPMENTS (FROM MIDTOWN/NORTH TO WAREHOUSE DISTRICT/SOUTH)

 

CENTRAL/MCDOWELL. Lennar Multifamily Communities has closed on the purchase of the northwest corner of Central and McDowell. While the design of the proposed “Muse” apartment complex still does not “hit the mark” according to numerous neighborhood/community groups and design professionals, the long-dormant corner will be activated.

 

3RD ST./MCDOWELL. Another possible apartment project is slated for McDowell at 3rd St. where the Quality Inn & Suites is now situated. It is anticipated that Alliance Residential Company will ask for GPLET financing. Portions of the parcel are within the Downtown Code and other portions are not. To get an idea of what Alliance has recently built, drive over to 26th and Camelback.

 

19TH AVE./MCDOWELL. The Arizona Preservation Foundation convened the second monthly meeting of interested stakeholders (e.g., officials from the Arizona State Fair, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, and City of Phoenix, as well as concerned neighborhoods, community groups, and individuals) to discuss the future of the 1938 WPA Administration Building, other historic buildings at the fairgrounds, and the overall fairgrounds site itself (19th Ave. & McDowell).

 

2ND ST./PORTLAND. The City will issue an RFP in the near future for a small parcel at the northeast corner of 2nd St. and Portland. Both Evans Churchill Community Association and Roosevelt Row CDC provided feedback on the project as well as relayed suggestions from residents, businesses, and interested citizens.

 

2ND ST./ROOSEVELT. Evans Churchill Community Association (ECCA) board members met with the developer of “The Row” residential/mixed use project slated for the east and west sides of 2nd St., north of Roosevelt. ECCA recommended that the City of Phoenix and Roosevelt Housing Associates (RHA) continue to work together to seek a timetable, agreeable to all relevant parties, to initiate the components of the project, including the historic Leighton G. Knipe House.  

 

CENTRAL/VAN BUREN. The proposed high-rise residential development on the northwest corner of Central and Van Buren is making its way through City Hall. In an agreement worked out by city, developer, and community representatives, including DVC, “the developer will present the site plan and design plans for the ground floor elements of the Project for community review prior to formal submittal of plans for Preliminary Review by the City. The community review shall focus on fostering a design that activates the ground floor edges with elements such as pedestrian level shade, landscaping, signage, lighting, public art, amenities for transit users and the public, adherence to urban design principles outlined in the City's adopted plans, codes and ordinances, and meeting the public transportation requirements while creating an environment conducive to pedestrians and bicyclists. The review shall consider the Development Parameters included in the Phoenix Central Station RFP, and the comments included in the Evaluation Panel Report. Given the location of light rail stations on the Central and First Avenue edges, particular emphasis will be placed on connecting light rail and bus stop locations in a way that creates a walkable, functional, and interesting experience. The community review will be two fold, including neighborhood meetings and consideration by the Design Review Committee (DRC). The DRC exists to hear variances from the Downtown Forum-based zoning code. They will review the design elements described above on an informal basis, not in their regulatory role associated with the zoning ordinance. Construction shall not commence until DRC approval is granted.”

 

ADAMS STREET. The close date for the “Convention Center/Matador” RFP is Thursday, Oct. 16. Fingers crossed that the City receives several good proposals to review and approve.

 

12TH ST./WASHINGTON. Several apartment buildings are being constructed and several more are slated in the Eastlake Park neighborhood along E. Washington. Representatives of neighborhood/community groups have bemoaned the demolition of several vintage warehouses and lackluster design to date. It is hoped that Reinvent Phoenix principles will be incorporated into future projects.

 

3RD ST./BUCHANAN. Developers of the proposed Ballpark Apartments in the Warehouse District met with representatives of four Phoenix preservation related organizations, including Downtown Voices Coalition, to garner feedback and suggestions about the most current development plan. A letter is being drafted by Preserve Phoenix to submit to the developer and city staff. At Saturday’s DVC meeting, it was asked that clarification be sought from the developer about the term “half-GPLET” used to explain one of the financing tools sought for the project.

 

RETAIL. Brief mention was made about the need for a stakeholder discussion about activating retail spaces on the ground floors of planned, approved, and built mixed-used developments. While there are success stories (e.g., Artisan Village), significant challenges remain (e.g., Roosevelt Point Apartments, Skyline Lofts (south side), Summit Downtown, and Tapestry on Central).

 

PARKS, OPEN SPACE, TREES, SHADE

 

HANCE PARK. The Hance Park Conservancy (HPC) is now a 501-c-3 organization. HPC and the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department created a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) about “who does what” at the park. Talks have begun with the Phoenix Parks Foundation about fundraising opportunities. Due to the increased usage of Hance Park, the grass is being re-seeded to a much greater degree. And finally, the City will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) in the near future for the former fire station at 1st St. and Moreland. The goal is to come up with a plan and reuse of the building that’s compatible with Hance Park and adjacent Evans Churchill neighborhood.

 

CIVIC SPACE PARK. It was noted that the public art piece in Civic Space Park, “Her Secret is Patience,” will be getting a major facelift in the near future. The colorful webbing will be taken down for repairs and washing, to be replaced in the meantime by a second webbing that was created as part of the initial project.

 

GARFIELD TREES. Residents in the Garfield neighborhood (and other neighborhoods as this topic item went on) are upset with “conflicting” city policies/ordinances regarding trees along streets. On the one hand, to achieve the stated goal of 25% canopy coverage by 2030, the City of Phoenix approved a Tree and Shade Master Plan and Complete Streets Policy (among numerous other “green” initiatives) to promote the planting and upkeep of trees. But then you have the Solid Waste Department that doesn’t like trees to bloom and grow and sometimes nick their trucks when picking up trash and recycling bins. “Houston, we have a problem.” Fortunately, various city departments have heard loud and clear from residents and are meeting to resolve the issue and recommend updated policies/ordinances to city leadership.

 

HANNY’S TREES. The management of Hanny’s (40 N. 1st St.) approved the removal of several lush trees in front of their restaurant, claiming a recent storm had damaged them. Turns out, that’s not true; the trees were fine. What Hanny’s management allowed in the wee early hours of the morning to city-owned property (in order for passersby to better see their exterior signage) is subject to a fine. Note to Hanny’s management: replacement shrubs won’t suffice and expect a letter soon from the City of Phoenix seeking replacement of the trees with T-R-E-E-S and a possible fine. Arising out of this discussion were several related topics: (1) the need for a standard complaint process for possible infractions, (2) the need for a plan to replace storm-damaged trees on private property, mandated for city approval, and (3) inspection of neighborhoods where certain property owners are lopping off the tops of palm trees.

 

RORO STREETSCAPE. The Roosevelt Streetscape Project continues, and is a bit ahead of schedule. City officials and Roosevelt Row CDC members meet weekly to discuss progress and issues. A weekly summary is published on the Evans Churchill Community Association Facebook page. Construction has affected the merchants so everyone is encouraged to frequent your favorite establishments as soon and as much as possible.

 

CANALS. Salt River Project (SRP) is providing funds for a Canal Oriented Development (COD) project along the canal from around 15th Ave. to 7th St. An RFP will be issued in the near future. This is positive movement to help implement the Canalscape concept.

 

GROUPS

 

DPI. Downtown Phoenix, Inc. continues to foster a more inclusive environment in which to engage stakeholders and reach consensus on important plans, programs, and developments in our downtown, and to assist in the planning and promotion of a stronger, year-round events calendar. A new brand identity for DPI has been soft-launched. Formal agreements have been reached between DPI and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership and Downtown Phoenix CDC to streamline processes and create synergy amongst the staff of all the organizations. DPI is working with Roosevelt Row and Evans Churchill to determine community interest and feasibility of forming a new business improvement district immediately north of the downtown core to again, streamline processes and create synergy, but also to raise funds for programs supported by area residents, businesses, and property owners. DPI, Downtown Phoenix CDC, and LISC are laying the groundwork for planning what to do on the expansive empty parcel where the former Pappas School once stood.

 

GAMA. Grand Avenue Members Association volunteers have been hard at work planning the Nov. 8 Grand Avenue Festival and Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts. Everyone should mark their calendar and go. The Grand Avenue Rail Project (GARP) has been in the news lately. Details here.

 

GRID. Anticipation mounts for the public roll-out of GRID Bike Share in Phoenix. A firm date will be coming soon, and the goal is to definitely be up and running by the Super Bowl. New and more bikes are coming (from Canada because Ottawa has delayed their bike share program). Kiosk locations have been identified and marked (see if you can find white circles and the GRID logo marking general areas where the kiosks will go). Everyone is encouraged to go online and become a member.

 

EVENTS, EVENTS, EVENTS

 

It’s hard to keep up with all the events and activities that are happening downtown. Please refer to our website calendar for neighborhood and community focused events. Also, Downtown Phoenix Partnership offers up a comprehensive list of things to do and see on their website.

 

But the most important event is Voting Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, and you really must vote. Really. You know why. Really. To learn more about the candidates running for various local, state, and federal office, visit the sites below. Really.

   

Tim Eigo

Chair, Steering Committee

Downtown Voices Coalition

tim.eigo@downtownvoices.org

 

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