On the morning of Saturday, March 12, Downtown Voices Coalition Steering Committee members and friends gathered to discuss current topics of interest and involvement before gearing up to enjoy the multitude of Viva PHX and the McDowell Mountain Music Festival bands later that afternoon and evening. Here's a recap of what was discussed.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: After a welcome by Tim Eigo, Steering Committee chair, the assembled group introduced themselves and their affiliations.
ADMINISTRATION
Call for Steering Committee and Officer Nominations. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Jim McPherson, chair of the DVC Nominating Committee, by email or by this handy-dandy online nomination form if they are interested in serving on the Steering Committee or as an officer.
Subcommittees. Tim Eigo reiterated the interest in forming three subcommittees to discuss important topics of the day, specifically (a) Community Benefits & GPLETs, (b) Best Practices in RFPs, and (c) DVC Fund Development. Click here for the list of subcommittee members.
NEIGHBORHOOD MATTERS
Evans Churchill
Knipe House. Dan Klocke with Downtown Phoenix Inc. and Ben Henderson updated the group on possible next steps for the historic Leighton G. Knipe House and adjacent empty parcels at 2nd Street and Roosevelt. Click here to review and download their PowerPoint. If you have additional questions, comments, concerns, or ideas, email Dan or email Ben.
Derby Roosevelt Row GPLET. The proposed Derby Roosevelt Row project received Phoenix City Council approval. Click here to read the Arizona Republic article on this matter. Included in the stipulations to receive GPLET funding was that ten of the 211 units be designated affordable workforce housing capped at monthly rents of $840 for five years. Thunderdome Neighborhood Association for Non-Auto Mobility was instrumental in pulling together community support for such an agreement, with groups like Downtown Voices Coalition and Evans Churchill Community Association weighing in as well. The attorney for the neighboring Angels Trumpet Ale House expressed concern about future construction work on his client's business.
Wurth House. It was noted that Habitat for Humanity and C & H Associates LLC (Abraham James) will assist in the renovation of the vintage Wurth House at 4th St. and Roosevelt. Click here to learn more about project and to support the cause. If you have questions, comments, concerns, or ideas, email Kimber Lanning.
3rd St. Promenade. The City of Phoenix has updated its webpage on the proposed 3rd St. Promenade project. Click here for the latest information, renderings, and proposed next steps. Questions, comments, concerns, or ideas can be directed to Mark Melnychenko at 602-534-0592 or by email.
Grand Avenue/Triangle
Grand Avenue Lofts. Cole Van Norman of Van Norman Development provided an update on his firm’s Grand Avenue Lofts project. Click here to learn more about the project and click here to learn more about the Triangle Neighborhood in which the property is situated. If you have questions, comments, concerns, or ideas, email Cole.
The Triangle Neighborhood, Grand Avenue Members Association, and Grand Avenue Arts & Preservation are working with Jeremy Veatch of Cargo Coffee who will be building a small drive-through (and outdoor seating) coffee and juice bar at W. Fillmore and 7th Avenue. The City of Phoenix will assist on getting a crosswalk spanning 7th Avenue around Fillmore if the neighborhood can show there is enough pedestrian/bike traffic at that site. With the new Wood Partners apartments being built on the east side of 7th Avenue, it is anticipated there will continue to be increased foot and bike traffic back and forth. A video camera will be installed with video footage of a crosswalk test now scheduled for March 30 and April 2 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crosswalk test details will be posted here. City street transportation officials have stated that they want something at/near the intersection as part of a longstanding plan to complete the Fillmore Bike Boulevard.
Downtown Core
Block 23. Jeff Sherman presented a history of and design concept for Block 23 in downtown Phoenix. Jeff’s PowerPoint is available here and a more detailed description of the idea is available on the This Could Be Phoenix website.
Barrister Building. Per Eric Johnson with the City of Phoenix, negotiations continue with the selected design team on the renovation of the historic Jefferson Hotel at Central and Jefferson St. Here’s a link to the most recent Phoenix Business Journal article about the project.
Welnick Marketplace. Significant progress is being made in the renovation of the 1927 Welnick Arcade Grocery at 345 W. Van Buren, soon to open as the Welnick Marketplace. Visit their Facebook page for more information and updates. If you have questions, comments, concerns, or ideas, email Sherry Rampy or email Bob Graham.
Downtown Alley Study Group. Jeff Sherman, a member of the Downtown Alley Study Group, noted that refinements are being made by study group members to various draft documents impacting the use of downtown alleys in the future, including: Abandonment Evaluation Criteria, Activation Classifications, Activation Program Policy, Abandonment Notification Requirements, and Abandonment Affidavit of Notification. Click here to view the draft documents. If you have questions, comments, concerns, or ideas, email Jeff.
Multi-Neighborhood
FAA Flight Path. Steve Dreiseszun with the F.Q Story Neighborhood provided an update on the effort locally and nationally to rectify the noise situation over numerous downtown neighborhoods arising from the Federal Aviation Administration’s change in flight paths on September 14, 2014. Visit the Let's Make Some Noise Facebook page for the latest information.
Arizona State Fair. Jim McPherson with the Arizona Preservation Foundation updated the group on the effort to rescue, renovate, and reuse the 1938 WPA Administration Building at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Progress has been made to raise cash and in-kind support for the project, including a possible allocation of City of Phoenix Threatened Building Bond Funds recommended by the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission and City Council Subcommittee on Neighborhoods, Housing, and Development. A significant tenant is interested in the space and other state agencies would use the space to promote their public-facing activities. Swan Architects, a firm that specializes in historic properties, is conducting a more detailed assessment of the roof’s condition, which has been the main concern to date. Click here to contribute to the cause.
Roosevelt Business Improvement District. Ben Henderson provided an update on the proposed Roosevelt BID from the City of Phoenix’s standpoint and asked for feedback on several key components. The Arizona Legislature passed and the Governor signed HB2440 which would change the voting process for all future BIDs and nullify the creation of the Roosevelt BID. The Phoenix New Times covered the story here. As reported by KJZZ Radio, Mayor Stanton is contemplating fighting the new state law that targets Roosevelt Row.
Hance Park. Thanks to Artlink, the City of Phoenix, Downtown Phoenix Inc., and Hance Park Conservancy, the Thursday, March 10 Art d’Core Gala at Hance Park was a big success to celebrate the arts in downtown Phoenix and showcase updated plans for the park. The Phoenix New Times published photos of the event here. Also, take a peek at the new Hance Park Conservancy website here.
State Legislation. Various pieces of legislation affecting neighborhoods have been monitored, tracked, and advocated for/against by Lawrrie Fitzhugh. Bills include: SB1316 Flex Loan (predatory lending product), SB1373 Liquor Omnibus, SB1402 class six property, Higher Education; HB2182 Liquor Sampling Eligibility, square feet; HB2372 Liquor Licenses; Stores, Proximity, Exceptions; HB2566 Pawnbrokers, Transaction Fee, Prohibited; and HB2690 Pawnbroker, Licensure, DPS. Lawrrie’s status update and background materials are available for review and download here. Because things at the Legislature change on a daily (possibly hourly!) basis, email Lawrrie with any questions, comments, concerns, ideas, or updates.
Roosevelt
Stewart Motor Company (Circles) Building. After being invited to tour the Stewart Motor Company (Circles) building and review proposed plans for a multi-story residential/commercial structure, three preservation advocates (Alison King with Modern Phoenix and Postwar Architecture Task Force of Greater Phoenix, Bill Scheel with the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission, and Jim McPherson with the Arizona Preservation Foundation) collectively pulled together their impressions and recommendations in this letter dated February 23, 2016. Architect Bob Graham (who has worked on numerous historic buildings in the Valley and statewide) wrote an insightful blog post about the Stewart Motor Co. issue, linked here. He also noted on his Facebook page: "The idea that the significant part of the building is that which is the most visually interesting or stimulating is false. Significance is tied either to an historical event (construction and operation of the building as a dealership, commercial activity of Auto Row in its heyday) and/or its architectural design, which must include all parts of the building designed as a single work. In this case it's both. To focus on a highlight area only is superficial, akin to saving the drawer-fronts on a Chippendale buffet and thinking you have preserved a great piece of antique furniture." Click here for more information about the history of the building, courtesy of Modern Phoenix.
3rd & 5th Ave. Streetscape. Negotiations continue between City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department staff and selected 3rd & 5th Avenue Streetscape Predesign Consultant. The goal is to gauge neighborhood and community interest, recommendations, and next steps in improving 3rd and 5th Avenue from McDowell to the north to Van Buren to the south. Questions, comments, concerns, or ideas about the project can be directed to Mark Melnychenko by phone at 602-534-0592 or email.
Phoenix Trolley Museum. One matter for the community to help resolve is the future of the Phoenix Trolley Museum and historic trolleys therein at 24 W. Culver St. behind the Ellis Shackelford House. The City of Phoenix has decided not to renew the lease necessitating the non-profit board that oversees the museum building and contents to seek alternative locations, preferably in Phoenix. Bob Graham, a member of the non-profit board, reported that several visioning sessions will be held in the next few months to help map out the future. The first session is Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. to Noon, at the Museum. You can RSVP here. The Downtown Devil covers the story here.
West Fillmore RFP. The process for the sale and redevelopment of a 7.6-acre site generally located on the south side of Fillmore St., between 4th and 6th avenues was in the news again. The second Request for Proposal (RFP) process is closed and several developers have applied for the project. A panel comprised of city staff and business/community members will review the proposals and make a recommendation to Community & Economic Development staff for referral through City Hall channels and processes.
Garfield
7th St. & Portland Mobil Station (formerly Sinclair/Dinomart). According to Raleigh Dombek, who lives in the Garfield neighborhood and attended the February DVC meeting, the owners of the gas station at 7th St. & Portland did not show to the zoning hearing and with unified community opposition, their original request for a drive-through was denied. On another positive note, the meeting held with several Garfield neighbors and the owners has proven to be fruitful. The owners are following through on their word and making changes as per that meeting. There has been a 90% reduction in the homeless/vagrants as a direct result of the neighborhood working with the owners. The property has been rebranded as Mobil with a Kwick Mart. More importantly, per Raleigh, the owner has (a) removed a low-rising block wall that attracted vagrants, (b) canceled their U-Haul rental contract allowing better visibility and relieving parking lot congestion, (c) moved their dumpster from the front of the property to the rear in an enclosure, (d) removed excessive window signage so now you can see in and out of the windows for safety, and (e) cleaned up the property overall with a freshening of the landscaping.
Midtown
Margaret Wilson of the Midtown Neighborhood Association reported on a large property accumulation between the Heard Museum and Phoenix Arts Museum (as announced at the most recent Encanto Village Planning Committee). Margaret was asked to seek additional information that could be shared with interested stakeholder groups and the public.
Other Business
According to Chris Ayers, the latest episode of “On the Grid,” a Phoenix-centric podcast, focuses on the David and Gladys Wright House and films offered by Steve Weiss’ No Festival Required. Listen to the podcast here.
According to Abraham James, the next meeting of the Greater Green Gables Neighborhood is Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the Creighton Christian Church Fellowship Hall (22nd St. and Thomas Road) starting at 6 p.m. Some historical background about the neighborhood: Robert Gosnell, Sr., who had come to Arizona in 1919, worked his way up from a job as a bank teller to become a land owner and developer. In 1940, Gosnell designed and helped construct a restaurant he called Green Gables that became a local landmark for Phoenicians. For more information, contact Abraham at 602-275-1377 or email.
Phoenix Urban Design Week is March 31 through April 7. Review the impressive list of events here or on Facebook.
The next Downtown Voices Coalition Steering Committee meeting is Saturday, April 9, 2016, starting at 9:30 a.m.
For the most updated list of downtown events and activities, visit the following sites. If you know of other helpful sites, please let us know.
There being no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. If you have questions comments, concerns, or ideas, please feel free to drop me a line.
Tim Eigo
Chair, Steering Committee
Downtown Voices Coalition
tim.eigo@downtownvoices.org
downtownvoices.org
facebook.com/downtownvoices
twitter.com/downtownvoices
