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Greetings Friends of Downtown Voices Coalition,
2015 is upon us. We held our first Steering Committee meeting of the year, and it was quite the meeting… standing room only and meaty issues to discuss. Here’s a recap. Resolve to review and take action as you see fit.
Development (West of Central to East of Central)
Wood Partners 7th Avenue & Fillmore project was summarized by individuals who attended Roosevelt Action Association’s monthly meeting on January 5. Discussion ensured on what was known about the size, scale, architecture, access, and other design factors. The vintage Alexander Nash Service Building on the south side of the purchased parcel is not part of the residential project, but is owned by the developer, Wood Partners. For more information about this project, click here.
Pappas School site planning. Dan Klocke with the Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corp. (CDC) presented initial design concepts for a significant parcel on the near westside of downtown (generally the site of the former Pappas School for the Homeless). Initial brainstorming was garnered by community members, including Downtown Voices Coalition (Tim Eigo), through a facilitated process sponsored by Downtown Phoenix Inc. and Local Initiatives Support Corp. The initial design concepts will be fully presented to interested individuals at a public open house on Tuesday, January 27 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Urban Living 2, 650 N. 2nd Ave. All are invited to attend to learn more and discuss. Facebook invite here.
 Welnick Arcade Grocery renovation. Historic/downtown consultant Sherry Rampy and architect Bob Graham presented on the proposed renovation and adaptive reuse of the 1927 Welnick Arcade Grocery at 345 West Van Buren. The new Welnick Marketplace will be leased for retail and restaurant uses. For more information on this project, visit their Facebook page.
City of Phoenix 2nd St. & Portland RFP. The City of Phoenix has issued a Request for Proposals for a small plot of land on the northeast corner of 2nd Street and Portland. Prior to the issuance, Evans Churchill Community Association and Roosevelt Row CDC solicited feedback through various communication tools to provide the City with ideas from residents, business owners, and other interested parties. Proposals are due by the end of the month.
City of Phoenix 2nd St. & Roosevelt RFP (Knipe House). The City of Phoenix and Roosevelt Housing Associates (RHA), the development firm that was recommended by a city-citizen review panel and approved by City Council for a project on the east and west sides of 2nd Street just north of Roosevelt St., announced that the project would not be going forward. This past spring RHA was unable to secure funding for a portion of the project and certain work on the Knipe House had to be started by December 31. While RHA and the City discussed a “Plan B,” they were unable to come to a revised agreement. Now the City is reaching out to the Evans Churchill and Roosevelt Row community and discussing internally potential next steps for the two vacant parcels and historic Knipe House.
 Baron Properties 3rd St. & Roosevelt project and Wood Partners 3rd St. & Roosevelt project. Two projects on the north side of Roosevelt St. in the Evans Churchill neighborhood and Roosevelt Row Arts District have raised “red flags” among neighborhood, community, and arts leaders; residents; and local businesses. Both projects entail new construction residential, but call for the potential demolition of two early 20th century homes (Wilcox House and Pappas House) and two mid-century vintage structures (222 E. Roosevelt/ GreenHaus) and the Canvas Building (Paz Cantina and 3rd St. Sushi). 222 E. Roosevelt has long been associated with the Phoenix LGBT community and it houses murals by noted Arizona artist, Ted DeGrazia (photo right). On Friday, the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission voted to ask city officials to meet with the developers and neighborhood leaders to discuss alternatives to demolition. The Downtown Voices Coalition Steering Committee crafted a letter to Mayor Greg Stanton and others. For additional background on this issue, read architect Bob Graham's detailed summary and commentary.
Community & Neighborhood Updates
 FAA Flight Path changes. Steve Dreiseszun with F.Q. Story informed the group that on December 23, Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher, formerly requested that the FAA immediately cease the use of the new flight path and use departure and arrival flight paths that were in effect before Sept. 18, 2014. It was also noted that the Phoenix Aviation Department is hosting a series of community outreach meetings to respond to community questions, document concerns, and receive input on locations where a city consultant can place temporary noise monitoring equipment. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend:
- Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6 - 8 p.m., Cesar Chavez High School, 3921 W. Baseline Rd.
- Thursday, Jan. 22, 5 – 7 p.m., Metro Tech High School, 1900 W. Thomas Rd.
- Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – Noon, Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave.
Grand Avenue. Grand Avenue Members Association (GAMA) are updating their strategic plan. After a well attended session this past Saturday, a second meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10 where board members and others interested in particular committees will sit down to develop specific work plans. GAMA will also hold its annual membership meeting on Thursday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Oasis on Grand, 1501 Grand Ave. to elect new board members and discuss plans for 2015. For more information, send an email to Bob Graham, GAMA board chair.
Arizona State Fairgrounds. Jim McPherson with the Arizona Preservation Foundation reported on a successful effort to raise funds to laser scan, produce measured drawings, and begin historical research on the 1938 Grandstand (a necessary first step in the preservation of this building). The City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office is funding a detailed building assessment on the 1938 Civics Building (which was threatened with demolition last summer). That report should be complete in February, and will help determine next steps to renovate, find uses, and promote that historic structure. An active group of community stakeholders, city officials, state legislators, and fair officials continue to meet to discuss a range of matters relating to the fairgrounds and its heritage.
 PCA First Street Activation Project. If you would like to help showcase the Roosevelt Row Arts District and Evans Churchill neighborhood during the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl weekends, the Phoenix Community Alliance’s First Street Activation Project wants to talk with you. The goal is to bring to life key locations along First Street between Van Buren and Roosevelt St. with art, music, pop-up design features, things to do, etc. If you have ideas or want to help, contact Peter Rasmussen (Architekton) or Ryan Tempest (This Could Be Phoenix). For a complete list of TRUE DTPHX Pro Bowl and Super Bowl activities in and around downtown, click here.
Art Detour 27. Artists and art-friendly businesses are encouraged to participate in planning for Artlink Phoenix’s Art Detour 27 (March 7-8). The next planning meeting is Saturday, February 14, 10:30 a.m., location to be determined. For more information or to volunteer, contact Catrina Kahler, Artlink board chair, or visit Artlink’s Facebook page.
Roosevelt Row Business Workshop. Roosevelt Row CDC, Evans Churchill Community Association, and Neighborhood Economic Development Corp. (NEDCO) invite you to a free business workshop on the topic of "Profit and Loss Accountability:"
- Date: Thursday, January 22
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Place: The McKinley Club, 800 N. 1st Ave. (northwest corner of 1st Ave. & McKinley)
PlanPHX General Plan Update. Carol Poore of the PlanPHX Leadership Committee noted that after incorporating the latest round of recommendations from Downtown Voices Coalition and other interested groups and individuals, the PlanPHX General Plan document has been updated. City staffers made a specific point of highlighting the light rail corridor and Reinvent Phoenix transit districts. To view the latest version, click here. The draft now goes to the full City Council on Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m. at Phoenix Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St.
 Transportation Priorities. The city of Phoenix Public Transit and Street Transportation departments are hosting open houses around the city to gain resident feedback on priorities for city transportation improvements. The list of potential improvements was developed by the Citizens Committee on the Future of Phoenix Transportation, a 34-member group appointed by the Phoenix City Council to study and provide recommendations on the development of transit service and street infrastructure.
Since August, the committee has been working to identify priorities based on input garnered at more than 80 events citywide and comments from over 3,000 participants in-person and online. The priorities include:
- New local bus service and extensions of light rail throughout the city
- Expansion of transit service operating hours into early morning and late night
- Funding for street improvements, better shade cover for pedestrians and transit users, and new bicycle infrastructure
In addition to service and infrastructure elements, the city is seeking input on replacing Phoenix’s current transit tax with a new transportation tax. Currently, the city’s transit system is funded by a 4/10ths of a cent sales tax, originally passed by Phoenix voters in 2000, which is set to expire in 2020. A replacement tax could support both transit and street transportation needs. Based on public comments gathered on plan elements, a replacement tax could be higher than the current rate. Here's a list of the upcoming community meetings:
- 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, Desert Sage Library, 7602 W. Encanto Blvd.
- 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21, Devonshire Senior Center, 2802 E. Devonshire Ave.
- 7-8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 22, Goelet Beuf Community Center, 3435 W Pinnacle Peak Rd.
- 6-7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26, Paradise Valley Community Center Multi-purpose Room, 17402 N. 40th St.
- 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, Washington Activity Center, 2240 W. Citrus Way
- 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, Pecos Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St.
- 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, Emmet McLoughlin Community Training and Education Center, 1150 S. 7th Ave.
Individuals can get more information or share their priorities by calling 602-262-7242, sending an email, or visiting www.talktransportation.org. No RSVP is required to attend.
CASS Men’s Overflow Shelter. The future closure of the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) Men’s Overflow Shelter continues to be of concern to homeless advocates, government officials, neighboring residents and businesses, not to mention the homeless themselves. Citing health and safety reasons, the Maricopa County Human Services Department, owner of the building and land where the shelter sits, will close the facility on or about April 1, 2015. It was suggested that representatives intimately involved in this issue be invited to the February Downtown Voices Coalition meeting where a fuller discussion can take place.
Grand Canalscape & 12th St. road diet. Because time was getting short, it was also suggested that City of Phoenix staff members involved in this proposed two-year bicycle/pedestrian project in midtown/uptown Phoenix be invited to the next Downtown Voices Coalition meeting to give a presentation. For background information, click here.
So that’s it for now. Thanks so much for all that you do to improve our community. Oh boy is it going to be a busy year.
Tim Eigo
Chair, Steering Committee
Downtown Voices Coalition
tim.eigo@downtownvoices.org
downtownvoices.org
facebook.com/downtownvoices
twitter.com/downtownvoices
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