Blog Archives
Bike to Work Day in Downtown Phoenix – April 20th
[Source: Maricopa County]
Bike to Work Day
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The City of Phoenix and Maricopa County invite bike and multi-modal bike commuters to a downtown celebration. Free breakfast to the first 175 pre-registered riders, plus t-shirts, prizes, and give-aways. Join Valley Metro, Maricopa County Air Quality, and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center to raise awareness about transit options, pollution, and helmet safety.
8:00 a.m. post-ride celebration at Phoenix City Hall, 200 West Washington
Two Ways to Participate:
- Option 1: Meet riders at Park Central Mall, 3100 North Central between 7-7:30 a.m. for a police-escorted bike ride to the reception. Parking at the mall is permitted. Ride departs at 7:30 a.m.
- Option 2: Solo bike or multi-modal bike via transit directly to Phoenix City Hall.
Planning Commission to Discuss Phoenix General Plan Update on Mar 9
On Wednesday, March 9th, the City of Phoenix Planning Commission is holding a regularly scheduled public hearing. This meeting will be of interest to DVC readers as the first substantive item on the agenda is “Presentation, discussion and possible recommendation on the General Plan Update- Public Hearing Draft.”
The general plan contains the city’s policies on character and design, land use, open spaces, the environment, economics, community services, neighborhood vitality, transportation and growth issues.
The Arizona Legislature has amended the general plan update requirements so that updates for municipalities do not have to be taken to the voters until 2015. However,the City of Phoenix is pushing to fast-track our general plan and wants to send it to voters during the municipal election on August 30, 2011.
Whether you support or oppose the contents of the General Plan, or the fast tracking of its passage, your voice is important. please come at let the Planning Commission know how you feel.
Details
When: P.C. hearing on 3/9/11 at 6:00 pm
Where: City Council Chambers at 200 W. Jefferson. This is the round building behind the old City Hall
Parking: Surface parking or parking in the garage on 4th Ave. Turn south off of Washington Street and then take first left into garage.
You should try to get to the Council Chambers close to 5:30 pm to check in and fill out a yellow speaker’s card if you wish to speak or make your position known.
The General Plan Update is the FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA, SO IT WON’T BE A LATE NIGHT.
For further information, please call Alan Stephenson at 602-262-4870.
For reasonable accommodations, call Nici Davidson at Voice (602) 495-0256 or the City TTY Relay (602) 534-5500 as early as possible to coordinate needed arrangements.
For more information on the General Plan and the Update process click HERE. A draft of the plan is available in English and Spanish.
NPR Looks at Downtown Phoenix’s Vacant lots
Downtown Phoenix is full of dirt lots. At the peak of the real estate bubble, an acre was selling for about $90 a square foot. Investors and developers thought the city was finally about to grow up. Now, the same land sells for $9 a square foot.
Plans to build high-rise offices and condos are years, if not decades away.
Listen to the story here: Phoenix Officials Face Development Dilemma
City of Phoenix Manager’s Message: Budget Update & “Thank You”
[Source: City of Phoenix]
This message was sent to all City of Phoenix e-mail users:
Dear fellow employees:
As you know, last Sunday was the Super Bowl. As millions of Americans spent the day enjoying the big game, a Water Services crew was busy repairing a water main break at 48th Street and Charleston Avenue.
Few motorists paid attention to the city crew as they worked in the cold and dark to fix the leak. But one person noticed, and he took the time to send the city an e-mail, which says:
“I would like to thank the crew of the City Water Department who came out yesterday (Sunday) because of a water main break and stayed into the late evening to get it repaired. Then, they came back this morning and cleaned up the mud in front of our home as a result of that break. They did a great job and I’m much appreciative of their efforts.”
I, too, appreciate their efforts and the efforts of all our city employees. I know you work long hours, weekends and even some holidays to serve the community. Even if you have an 8-to-5 schedule, you’re probably checking your Blackberries, responding to pages or taking phone calls throughout the evening. Many of you probably attend community meetings at night or staff facilities that are open late. I have no doubt that some of you have missed out on important family events and celebrations because you had a job to do serving the residents of Phoenix.
The city has formal programs, such as the Employee Excellence Awards and the Employee Suggestion Program, to recognize city employees. However, there’s nothing like a heartfelt “thank you” from a customer or resident. I’m pleased to share a few more recent examples:
- Solid Waste Equipment Operator Adrian Lopez received a special Christmas card from a little customer, a boy who is fascinated with garbage trucks. Adrian always takes the time to honk and wave to the little boy each time he passes the house. To show her gratitude, the boy’s Mom made a Christmas card especially for Adrian.
- An Arizona Republic reader recently commended an unidentified Phoenix Police officer who bought breakfast for a homeless man who had entered a restaurant to ask for directions. “The homeless man thanked the officer, who seemed embarrassed by the attention,” the reader wrote in a letter to the newspaper. “I felt it was important to pass on this kind gesture of one of Phoenix’s finest.”
- And this, from a library customer: “I just wanted to let you know the great experience I had at the Library on Saturday… Visiting the Library is always one of the greatest pleasures for my family. Thanks for all that you and your staff do.”
The Mayor, City Council and I would like to join the chorus of thanks and express our gratitude for all you do for the city.
On Tuesday, we honored three city employees who were also dedicated public servants: Officer Travis Paul Murphy, Robert Scully and Hugh T. McMurray Jr. They were remembered at the annual Employee Memorial Ceremony for employees who have passed away in the course of their duties. Thanks to everyone who attended the event or worked hard to organize it. I am especially grateful to the Mayor, Council members, department heads and other leaders of our city organization for their continued support of the Memorial Ceremony.
On a final note, I am happy to share some exciting news with you. City holiday sales tax collected in January (December 2010 sales) was 12.5% higher than the same period last year! The largest and most encouraging aspect of city holiday sales was the retail component of General Fund sales tax, which grew by 14.8% over the same period last year.
This is the highest January growth rate in total City General Fund Sales tax since January 2005 and the first positive January growth since 2008. Several categories of sales tax contributed to this positive growth, including retail, contracting, and restaurants and bars. I know many of you did your part by shopping Phoenix during the holiday season.
Thank you for your commitment to the community and for your continued hard work.
– David Cavazos
City of Phoenix Meetings and Events for the Week of Feb 7-13th
Here is a listing of city events that may be of interest to downtown Phoenix residents and observers.
[Source: City of Phoenix]
All Week
Feb. 1 – 28, Library Hours “Beauty of Taiwan” Photo Exhibit,
Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., second floor,
Rita Marko, 602-534-2025
Monday, Feb. 7
6:15 p.m. Encanto Village Planning Committee,
Phoenix College, Willo Conference Room, 3310 N. 10th Ave.,
Michael Hammett, 602-495-5405
Tuesday, Feb. 8
9 a.m. 17th Annual Employee Memorial Ceremony,
Honoring employees who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2010,
Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St.,
Joyce Valdez, 602-262-6213
Wednesday, Feb. 9
10 a.m. City Council Housing and Neighborhoods Subcommittee,
City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St.,
Stephanie Ribodal Romero, 602-261-8512
4:30 p.m. Planning Commission Briefing,
Phoenix City Hall, assembly room C,
Michael Hammett, 602-495-5405
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. “Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix, 1945-1975,”
Featuring speakers Historic Preservation Officer Barbara Stocklin and Architect/Author Don Ryden,
Royal at The Market, Downtown Phoenix Public Market, 14 E. Pierce St.,
Michael Hammett, 602-495-5405
6 – 7 p.m. District 7 Coffee Chat with Councilman Michael Nowakowski,
Cesar Chavez Library, 3635 W. Baseline Road,
Stephanie Ribodal Romero, 602-261-8512
Thursday, Feb. 10
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. College Depot Workshop, “Budgeting for College Students,”
Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave.,
Rita Marko, 602-534-2025
The meetings listed in the calendar are accurate as of Friday, Feb. 4. For possible changes and additional city meetings, visit phoenix.gov/publicmeetings.
Another Chance to Learn About Downtown Phoenix’s Midcentury Marvels
From the City of Phoenix:
Barbara Stocklin, Phoenix historic preservation officer, and Don Ryden, architect/author, will discuss the coffee table-style book, featuring 251 pages showcasing the architects and architecture of the post-World War II building boom in Phoenix.
Architects Ralph Haver, Al Beadle, Bennie Gonzales and many others are featured with more than 400 colorful images, some rare, of buildings lost and those preserved for generations to come. Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence on the architecture of Phoenix also is highlighted.
Mid-century Marvels was produced by the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and Ryden Architects, Inc. with funding provided by a Federal Historic Fund Certified Local Government Grant, The Arizona Heritage Fund and the Phoenix Historic Preservation Bond Fund.
Books can be purchased for $20 at the event, phoenix.gov/historic or the Historic Preservation Office, 200 W. Washington St., 17th floor. For more information, call 602-261-8699.
Midcentury Marvels Brown Bag Lunch in downtown Phoenix on Jan 21
[Source: City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and ModernPhoenix.net]
Why just eat lunch at noontime? Why not go on a cultural journey guaranteed to open your eyes, expand your mind and stir your spirit? The “Faces of Diversity” Brown Bag Series features dynamic people telling their stories about diversity in our community — race, ethnicity, gender issues, disability awareness, religion, etc.
After several years of intensive effort (and with several grants), the City Historic Preservation Office is finally releasing its publication “Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix: 1945-1975.” This is a glossy hard-back 250+ page publication with over 300 current and historic photographs telling the story of Phoenix’s post World War II rise and the commercial architectural wonders that sprung up on the Phoenix landscape during this era. Impeccably researched, Don Ryden’s narrative squarely places our local culture in context with the global and national Modernism movements.
The book will be released for the first time at a Brown Bag Lunch and Book Signing at 12 noon on Friday Jan. 21. A limited edition of the first printing is available for purchase for $20. First come first serve!
By the end of January 2011, the book will be available for sale online at phoenix.gov/historic where you can purchase it for $20 plus $4.99 shipping. The book will also be available for sale at the $20 price at the Historic Preservation Office during regular business hours, 3rd floor, Phoenix City Hall starting January 24, 2011. All proceeds from the book sales will go to the Historic Preservation Bond Fund.
Event Details
MIDCENTURY MARVELS: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix 1945-1975
Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21 Phoenix City Council Chambers 200 W. Jefferson St.
Don W. Ryden, AIA Barbara Stocklin, city of Phoenix historic preservation officer
The traditional styles that characterized Phoenix architecture during the early 20th century gave way to a bold new design aesthetic known as Modernism. Many of Phoenix’s most recognized buildings were constructed during this era. Don W. Ryden, AIA, and Barbara Stocklin will tell the story of the remarkable post-World War II era in Phoenix history and discuss the importance of preserving historical buildings that still remain.
This series, sponsored by the Phoenix Human Relations Commission and the city’s Equal Opportunity Department, promotes the value of cultural diversity and creates opportunities for positive exchange among diverse groups. For more information, visit phoenix.gov/EOD/bbag.html.
To request disability accommodations, call the Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department at 602-495-0358/voice or 602-534-1557/TTY
Park at 305 W. Washington and bring your ticket for validation and parking discount. The Light Rail stop is just steps away!
We hope to see you there with all the other Usual Suspects who are fighting hard on behalf of our city’s midcentury heritage!
City of Phoenix 25th Annual Outstanding Young Man & Woman of the Year Awards
Do you know any outstanding young men or young women? Phoenix is seeking applications from exceptional high school students for the 25th Annual Outstanding Young Man and Young Woman of the Year Awards.
Students must be in grades nine through 12 and live in the city of Phoenix. Applications are available online at phoenix.gov/education/outstanding.html.
Deadline to apply is February 9.
The program evaluates students on their leadership ability, community involvement and commitment to excellence. Applicants must write a personal statement describing their involvement in the Phoenix community, commitment to excellence and their future goals. Students also must identify a teacher who has had the greatest impact on their lives.
An exceptional young man and young woman will be selected to represent each of the eight City Council districts. All 16 district finalists will be recognized at an event in the spring and receive a $250 cash reward and a plaque commemorating their achievements.
Of the 16 finalists, one overall young man and woman will be awarded the honor of Phoenix Young Man/Young Woman of the Year and will each receive an additional $2,000.
For more information please contact the Neighborhood Services Department at 602-262-7344 or email mailbox.youth@phoenix.gov
UA to open cancer center in Downtown Phoenix
[Source: Emily Gersema, The Arizona Republic]
Phoenix officials are about to begin working on a 60-year lease agreement for the University of Arizona to build and open an Arizona Cancer Center downtown.
The City Council on Wednesday directed City Manager David Cavazos to start writing the lease agreement.
The future site of the center is at Fillmore and Seventh streets.
The lot is part of the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, which is home to various research organizations, such as Translational Genomics Research Institute and the UA College of Medicine-Phoenix.
According to a city staff report, Phoenix will lease the property on the northwestern corner of Fillmore and Seventh streets to the Arizona Board of Regents for $45 per square foot over 60 years.
The annual payment would be about $50,932 per year, providing a total of $3 million to the city for the duration of the lease.
However, the Arizona Cancer Center would not have to pay rent for the first 10 years. The city proposes to wait and recapture those deferred rent payments in the final 20 years of the lease.
After the lease expired, the city would give the land to the Board of Regents.
The board, which oversees the three state universities, is expected sometime early next year to give UA approval to build the new cancer-research center.
The Arizona Cancer Center is a UA research institution based in Tucson.
Officials plan to build and open the second center in the next few years.
Preliminary plans include building a six-story, 250,000-square-foot building.
The center would work in cooperation with the UA Medical School in Phoenix and Valley hospitals.
It is expected to employ up to 600 people.
The Phoenix Biomedical Campus covers 28 acres downtown.
City staff is working with the Board of Regents on an intergovernmental agreement that would enable the campus to expand beyond that.
City of Phoenix seeks public comments on General Plan Update
[Sourc: City of Phoenix/PlanPHX]
The city of Phoenix has released the public hearing draft for the General Plan Update. This General Plan includes results of the community visioning process, and outlines a transition to a more comprehensive update which incorporates sustainability principles. It also readopts the existing General Plan elements and the associated goals and policies in their entirety.
The Plan
The document may be viewed at the link below or by clicking on the image:
http://phoenix.gov/citygovernment/planres/cityplan/planphx/whatsnew/index.html
This General Plan is unique from previous plans in that it serves as a transition plan to a more sustainable future. It establishes a community vision, assesses the current state, presents scenarios for alternative futures if no action is taken, and establishes a structure for transition strategies.
Due to the number of new concepts that are being introduced, this General Plan does not change existing goals and policies. Rather, it demonstrates how the existing goals and policies support the community vision and identifies areas where new goals and policies need to be developed.
The existing goals and policies will be readopted as part of this General Plan, and then work will continue to further define the community vision statements, and develop appropriate goals and strategies to achieve them.
Comments
Comments may be sent to Carol Johnson, Planning Manager at the following: planphx@phoenix.gov or
Phoenix Planning & Development Services Department
200 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
You may also call Carol at 602-261-8289.
