16 replies to this topic

[dharma_bum]

I think that most people read this article back in Nov, http://www.azcentral...nplan27-CP.html
and if you didn't, please read on. Eventually, Colangelo is going to start ripping, tearing, and bulldozing the shit outta the downtown area. A lot of businesses will be torn down for high-end condos and whatever Colangelo sees fit. They want to build new housing and retail; in other words, one BIG strip mall. I can't forsee what will actually happen over the next 10-15 years but I would assume that it will affect the artist community that is just now starting to become a unique thing. I don't know if I am jumping the gun or overly paranoid but I do know that Colangelo could give a rats ass if he puts a couple art houses/venues under or some people on the street. He is about spreading his vision of a disneyland utopia.... Here is the link to Mayor Gordon's office, phil.gordon@phoenix.gov and I suggest that if you don't want Colangelo's foot in yer ass, email any concerns you might have- i did. I am not a political activist but I am concerned about Colangelo taking over AZ.

BUM

[donald]

that's the last thing we need, especally now when I feel like
downtown is starting to pickup and become a really cool place
to be.

We don't need anyones help in rebuilding the city, we are doing
a good enough job on our own. At least that's my opinion.

[dharma_bum]

exactly. i can guarantee that it will happenn and when it does, a lot of things are gonna change downtown. big money talks. i guess there was a hearing about this and pretty much the colangelo team said 'there is nothing you can do about this, it is gonna happen whether you like it or not'. who cares about his fucking vision of what phx SHOULD be like.

BUM

[chadk]

did we build this city on rock and roll

[chadk]

) "still lacks a clearly defined urban center that is vibrant day and night and attracts residents and visitors."

i do agree with this statement although i feel that obviously instead of tearing down there should be restoration.

thus creating a sense of history

[chadk]

"Proponents say they want a plan that can be shaped and ultimately supported by businesses, neighborhoods, arts groups and the community.
"Our goal here is to have these folks be part of the outcome instead of telling them what the outcome's going to be," said Donald Cardon, chief executive of Cardon Development Group of Phoenix and former deputy city housing director."

i also agree with this though

[chadk]

and i agree with this statement as well "I don't have plans to make investments in projects for my benefit," Colangelo said. "I'm already here, I've already made my commitments."

[chadk]

""They are made up of different components that all end up working together," Gordon said. "None of those great downtowns replicated each other or tried to be something they weren't."

[dharma_bum]

Here is a great article from the new times. http://www.phoenixne...ml/1/index.html

I agree that phx needs a face lift but we don't need another 'yuppie playground' and that is exactly what we'll get with ole jerry in charge. the reason i put the link for gordon is that he readily opposes colangelo's death grip of the city. i really do think if colangelo gets his way say goodbye to first friday, modified and pretty much everything east of 7th st and roosevelt. his idea of an urban center is like mill ave.

BuM

[chadk]

"About $1 million a year in taxpayer funds is helping finance the Partnership, whose official function is providing security, marketing, landscaping and shuttle busses for businesses within the boundaries of its downtown district: Seventh Street to the east, Third Avenue to the west, the railroad tracks to the south and Fillmore Street to the north."

this is the area they are focusing on,

i know everybodys tired of hearing me talk about colorado, but the same thing happend there with "low dow" aka lower downtown. they revamped a bunch of warehouses turned them into sports bars put up coors field made some parks actually built a awsome skatepark and an amusement park, but yea if i lived in denver i would not go to low do unless i was going to the skate park, let the those type of pople do that. capitol hill is maybe 3 blocks from "downtown" and thats one of the coolest places to be there so i guess what i'm trying to say is let them have the "core" of phx and we can have the area directly surrounding.

maybe any money that goes to downtown is better then no money going to downtown.

[dharma_bum]

i remain optimistic and hope the outer area around phx remains untouched from corporate hands.

Bum

[chadk]

i can see grand ave becoming a great place

[Thugletta]

Whatever your opinion may be, get involved. It may be too late, it seems the planning is very hush-hush. There is a new organization formed by artists, gallery owners, etc and it's a good idea to check it out and learn more about their response to the Colangelo thing. The group is called d-pac, downtown phoenix arts coalition. They have a website up already with some info, www.d-pac.org They have a sign up sheet on the site and I'm sure more is planned for the site soon.
If change is inevitable, it would be nice if families, independently owned businesses and grass roots organizations that are already downtown had a voice. A lot of artists and groups have been working very hard in downtown Phoenix with little or no taxpayer funds. After you've researched the issue, consider sending emails to our rep's, our mayor, anyone with a say in the matter. D-pac has a sign-up sheet and are distributing info sheets with district maps so you can determine your Councilperson and send them post-cards with your opinion, whatever that may be. Opinions range from "let's keep everything an empty lot with crack-houses et. all" to "let's encourage giant corporations and development that will no longer allow the people who are culturally enriching the area to live or work there." It's not just artists, coffee shops, and art galleries that are vulnerable but also families and half-way houses and non-profits that I think are really being kept in the dark. It's a complex matter with a lot of different aspects to it but right now there is really just not enough information being given to the public.

[dharma_bum]

Here is an excerpt from the article

"As for downtown housing, the city provided $2.3 million to help purchase land for the 105-unit Artisan Village project to begin construction later this year at Seventh Street and Roosevelt. It also kicked in about $2 million for the 90-unit Orpheum Lofts development, plus a few million more bucks to a handful of other residential projects in the downtown area. The incentives will help construct about 300 downtown residential units".

"Beyond this, the city is providing no significant funding for small businesses, grassroots art groups or low-intensity residential development".

So, basically the outer crust of dtown is getting $$$ to build high-end condos and residential living and the every one else gets the shaft. This is what we have to worry about, not neccessarily 'growth' per se.