His latest map shows different projects that have contributed to or detracted from Downtown Phoenix revitalization. He explains the color key as follows:

I’ve also devised a color-coding system to “rate” the status/progress of these projects: BLUE (successful/maintain!), GREEN (in progress), YELLOW (on [...]]]> Friend and preservation advocate Jim McPherson is a self-proclaimed map fanatic.

His latest map shows different projects that have contributed to or detracted from Downtown Phoenix revitalization. He explains the color key as follows:

I’ve also devised a color-coding system to “rate” the status/progress of these projects: BLUE (successful/maintain!), GREEN (in progress), YELLOW (on hold; caution), MAGENTA (failing), RED (failed). Some of you may disagree with my methodology, status on an individual project, or geographic boundaries. That’s okay, I understand. So I welcome your feedback to correct what needs to be corrected!

Check out his map below, and if there’s anything you see missing, let us know!

View Central Phoenix Vitality Initiatives in a larger map

-Edward Jensen

Almost 5,000 more people used light rail on an average weekday in February than in January, according to METRO officials.

For February 2009, [...]]]> Valley METRO Light Rail keeps getting more passengers on its trains.  New passenger numbers indicate that 5,000 more people rode the light rail in February than in January. From KNXV-TV (Phoenix):

Almost 5,000 more people used light rail on an average weekday in February than in January, according to METRO officials.

For February 2009, METRO ridership totaled 908,052 boardings. That resulted in an average weekday ridership of 35,277, an average Saturday ridership of 31,417 and average Sunday and holiday ridership of 19,212.

[source: Michael Hagerty, KNXV-TV]

For Phoenix and the region, this is fantastic news.  Yesterday, Mayor Phil Gordon gave his State of the City address where he outlined his plan to make Phoenix a greener city.  I’ll expand on Mr. Gordon’s themes in a later post.

-Edward Jensen

The Downtown Phoenix Journal (courtesy the Phoenix New [...]]]> This weekend (today through Sunday) is the Art Detour in Downtown Phoenix.  For the uninitiated, Art Detour is like the typical First Fridays, but only on steroids, and much longer.  But it is only one of a host of things taking place in Phoenix this weekend.

The Downtown Phoenix Journal (courtesy the Phoenix New Times) has written up a decent review of the things to see during the weekend and what galleries are worth visiting (excerpted from here and here):

Art Detour kicks off with an expanded First Friday on March 6 and continues through Sunday, with extended gallery hours and a Seventh Avenue Street Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to the usual arty fetes (like the I.S. Survival party at the Icehouse, 429 W. Jackson St.) and boutique bashes (Made, at 922 N. 5th St., is a sort of unofficial Detour Central), street vendors will be stationed along Garfield, between Third and Seventh Streets, all weekend. As ever, much of the action takes place on Grand Avenue and along Roosevelt Row, but outlying galleries are also showing off their best this weekend.

Here’s a sampling of galleries (full map here) that will be open throughout the weekend:

Gallery Marsiglia (1018 Grand Ave): “Metals, Rock, Fashion” is a series of jewelry-centric events featuring a steel-bending demo by “master bladesmith” Ray Rybar, and a lecture from Mrs. Hancock, the Valley’s premier etiquette instructor, who’ll instruct us on the proper protocol for jewelry-wearing at weddings, the theater, and (one hopes) art exhibits.

Jordre Studio (1007 Grand Ave): A trio of diverse local artists — Jennie Ignaszewski, Tyson Crosbie, and Kyle Jordre — are on display in “3,” a show documenting the city’s urban beauty in varied styles.

Modified Arts (407 E Roosevelt St): A solo show by painter James Angel is the visual highlight of a weekend of music from the likes of singer/songwriter Elesisha Eagle, Sister Cities, and the Terrible People.

MonOrchid (214 E Roosevelt St): New paintings from Christina Ramirez and Randy Slack will be exhibited in “Multiple Personalities,” a Detour-exclusive show of new work.

The Paisley Violin (1028 Grand Ave): Folks interested in aural as well as visual art will want to keep the Violin on their Detour to-do list, as this cafe gallery will be featuring live music all weekend long. The Dorsets will perform on Friday night; Chicks with Sticks on Saturday from 2 until 4, and local jazz musicians throughout the day on Sunday. An exhibit by the Arizona Print Group will also be on display.

Perihelion Arts (610 E Roosevelt St #137): Photographer Davyid Lemmon’s newest works are featured in “Fact Illusion and Structure,” a collection of evocative, black-and-white fantasy portraits.

PRAVUS Gallery (501 E Roosevelt St): “The Panelists” is an ink-drenched celebration of the comic book that includes art by Russ Pope, Luster Kaboom, Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh, and the show’s curator, Krk Ryden.

Tilt Gallery (919 W Fillmore St): This is not your grandmother’s photo album: Mark Osterman’s new show, “Artifacts of a Curious Mind,” offers the artist’s warmly hand-tinted photographs, each an ambrotype printed from a collodion negative.

In addition to the Art Detour, this weekend is the Heard Museum’s annual Indian Fair and Market.  If you’re wanting a diversion from the Downtown Phoenix scene, hop on the Light Rail and travel to the Encanto/Central Ave station and check that out.  (Admission: $15/adults, $5/students with ID, FREE/children under 16).  More information here.

Have a great weekend of great cultural events!

-Edward Jensen

if you cannot see the slideshow, stop by my blog to see it!

if you cannot see the video, stop by my blog to see it!

Some [...]]]> Our good friend and supporter Nick Bastian of RailLife.com has been following METRO’s progress and is excited to see it open up in a week. He wrote an excellent post summarizing highlights of the Grand Opening and just today, he wrote another excellent post talking about hours of operation in METRO’s first week.

Some highlights:

• SATURDAY DECEMBER 27: Grand opening! METRO’s hours of operation will be 10a-8p with station celebrations happening from 10a-5p.
• SUNDAY DECEMBER 28: 10a-6p.
• MONDAY DECEMBER 29: Normal hours of operation, with the first train starting from either end at 4.40am and the last train leaving from either end at 11.00pm
• TUESDAY DECEMBER 30: Normal hours of operation (see above)
• WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31: Normal hours of operation, but the last train will leave from either end at 2am January 1 to accommodate New Year’s revelers.

The best part: ride METRO for free in 2008! Fare service begins at 4.40am January 1.

Thanks again to Nick Bastian for compiling all this for us! We can’t wait for METRO to open up!

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

The thing that is extremely hard to believe is that it seems like yesterday when Central Avenue was still 3 lanes with the fancy bricks running down the center. Or when construction [...]]]> I know you’re all sad that this is the last weekend in Phoenix without METRO Light Rail. I am, too. [end sarcasm]

The thing that is extremely hard to believe is that it seems like yesterday when Central Avenue was still 3 lanes with the fancy bricks running down the center. Or when construction started in front of my house. Or even when we hit the 100-days-to-go plateau. But it’s here, and the grand opening celebrations are in ONE WEEK!

I’m probably going to be helping out that day at the Heard Museum (Encanto/Central Ave station) promoting the Midtown Museum District Neighborhood Association. I work with them as a community engagement partner for businesses, residents, and METRO Light Rail. So, if you’re going to be riding the rails that day (so to speak), stop by and say hello. (I’m the tall one.)

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Here are some photos and videos to share! If you cannot see the pictures and/or videos, then stop by [...]]]> On 20 November 2008, METRO Light Rail, in conjunction with the Heard Museum, held a unveiling of the landmark sign for the Central/Encanto METRO station. Local dignitaries and media were there to cover the event.

Here are some photos and videos to share! If you cannot see the pictures and/or videos, then stop by my blog to see them!

First up, some pictures from the day
Next, a video of Phoenix councilman Tom Simplot’s remarks and the actual unveiling
.

Finally, a video of a two-car trainset departing the station heading southbound

37 days to go!

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Until now, tests have been limited to the track south of McDowell Road, in downtown Phoenix, along Washington Street and through Tempe and Mesa.

Vehicles will now begin regular testing on Central Avenue. In addition, some [...]]]> [source: azcentral.com] METRO Light Rail will expand testing across all 20 miles of the line starting next week.

Until now, tests have been limited to the track south of McDowell Road, in downtown Phoenix, along Washington Street and through Tempe and Mesa.

Vehicles will now begin regular testing on Central Avenue. In addition, some trains will go all the way to the end of the line in Phoenix at 19th Avenue and Montebello.

Testing primarily occurs during the day; however, in coming weeks, testing will also take place at night to simulate service.

Expect a train anytime, from either direction, according to Hillary Foose, spokeswoman for METRO. She says testing will continue to ramp up and become more recurring in the weeks leading up to the system’s grand opening on Dec. 27.

Testing will become so regular, in fact, it will appear as though METRO is in service, she said.

Each train is required to travel 1,000 miles during testing before it can be placed into regular service. Testing also helps Metro coordinate the various systems needed for light rail to run.

With trains testing at such a regular pace, Metro offers these guidelines to staying safe around light rail:

• Light rail is quiet; look and listen for the train.
• Obey the traffic signals; stop on red.
• Use the crosswalks and obey all signals.
• Stay off the trackway; never drive, bike, walk or skateboard on the tracks.
• Stay clear of the overhead wires; they are energized.

So far, Metro has not had a serious accident. For more on how to ride and ways to be safe around light rail, visit www.metrolightrail.org.

Monday will mark 61 days to the grand opening of METRO on 27 December 2008. Stay tuned to this blog for more information as we get it in.

The excitement, as I’ve said before, is palpable.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

Naturally, this calls for a picture, right?

Isn’t she beautiful?

Cheers-Edward Jensen

11 December 2006 was 747 days before METRO opens up. We’re only 73 days out today, and if only the time could go by faster!

Remember now?

Cheers-Edward Jensen

But there’s a catch. Between midnight and 4:00am [...]]]> The construction of the new METRO Light Rail is winding down, as now Central Avenue between McDowell Road and Thomas Road is getting the final layer of asphalt. It’s being done in two stages over two nights: the outside lanes first followed by the inside lanes.

But there’s a catch. Between midnight and 4:00am on Thursday 26 June 2008, the outside lanes get their final layer of asphalt. In other words, people living in between Central and the non-existent part of First Avenue will be locked in lest they cut through alleys to the chagrin of Willo.

The sensible thing would be to open the gates that separate the State of Willo from the rest of Phoenix. However, correspondence with the City of Phoenix has indicated that the gates will not be opened and that people needing to enter/exit at that time are urged to park in the UFCW parking lot at the northeast corner of Central and Vernon.

So, this is a plausible concern. Let’s say there’s an emergency. One cannot plan emergencies in advance. What is the plan to allow for the safe egress and evacuation of Central Avenue? It has to involve being through Willo and the gates must have some form of being unlocked without residents closing them.

We shall see.

-Edward Jensen

One week ago today (12 June 2008) was the Willo Neighborhood Association board meeting where the bylaws were discussed and voted upon. As expected, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of changing the bylaws (on some margin of 13:1 [...]]]> I apologize that this is a bit tardy but it still needs to be written.

One week ago today (12 June 2008) was the Willo Neighborhood Association board meeting where the bylaws were discussed and voted upon. As expected, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of changing the bylaws (on some margin of 13:1 yeas-to-nays) even with Tapestry residents being denied voting papers and also being denied the right to voice our concerns.

Okay, okay, this is nothing new. The real shocker was when the then-president of the board, Robert (let’s hope it’s not a loaded) Cannon said to the Tapestry contingent as we were debating the bylaws, “You can take you and your folks outside to discuss this.” The truth finally came out about how Willo feels about Tapestry. It is no longer speculation; it is now out in the open. We are someone else – infected, if I may – and not good enough to be a part of Willo.

A developer (Reid Butler) who was in charge of Tapestry-Willo relations when Tapestry was under development from 2001-2006 sat in, and apparently at the request of the Willo board. Butler asked the Tapestry contingent, “Why do you want to be a part of the Willo Historic District?” We promptly corrected him saying, “We do not want to be a part of the Historic District – we cannot because our building is too new – but we want to be a part of the Neighborhood Association.” We want to be a part of the Neighborhood Association so that we can voice our concerns and have our opinions counted when it comes to development in the immediate neighborhood. Willo has significant influence in development in and around the boundaries. If Willo wants something, it pretty much gets it. As neighbors, Tapestry should enjoy those same rights – because we were subjected to it when our buildings were under development!

The saga is far from over: the board are now invalid because when the bylaws took effect, the membership rosters of Willo were erased – including the board. Except the board disagrees…

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

In reviewing the bylaws, the following items stuck out. First, the definition of the boundaries (Article I section 5) of Willo goes from the description [...]]]> So finally, the Willo Neighborhood Association posted their proposed changes to their organization’s by-laws. The issue at hand is the disenfranchisement of about 300 people who bought into Willo.

In reviewing the bylaws, the following items stuck out. First, the definition of the boundaries (Article I section 5) of Willo goes from the description of McDowell Road to Thomas Road north-to-south and Central Avenue to Seventh Avenue east-to-west to, “Boundaries are as set forth in the Plan.” What plan? I assume it’s the Willo Conservation Plan. But is it? And what revision, dated when? What version? The City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department has prepared the following map of Willo’s boundaries. It still goes as far north to Thomas Road – so as to include (and quite possibly influence the development of) the Metropolitan Lofts at 531 W. Thomas Road and as far south as McDowell Road – so as to include (and quite possibly to influence the development of) the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road. I have a feeling that once these developments are finished, then Willo will want nothing to do with them.

The second item in the bylaws that is rather interesting is membership (article II section 1). What’s being proposed makes it sound like membership to the Willo Neighborhood Association is opt-in. The text goes from “Any person of voting age owning property or residing within the Plan boundaries shall be a member of the Association” to “Any person of voting age residing within the Plan boundaries may opt to be a member of the association [sic]” [in both instances, emphasis mine]. Does that mean that (if the bylaws are approved) there are no members of the Association and therefore no board? How to people opt-in to the Association? All the proposed by-laws say is, “The Process for optional membership in the Association will be set forth by rules and procedures established by the Board. Opt-In membership must be renewed annually.” Goodness, with optional membership, it sounds like the powers-that-be within Willo have the power to deny membership. I’ll leave it there, but just think about it. Detractors of the Willo board will be ousted from Willo so that their opinions are opinions and not votes.

Finally, the question is simple. Why were the bylaws – with the boundaries set forth as Central to 7th Avenue, McDowell to Thomas – approved by the Board and Residents three times (5 February 1992, 10 March 2005, and 15 March 2007) even with this supposed ‘mistake’? If it was an oversight, then Willo should be reaching out to Tapestry through conciliation that the Willo board leadership have rejected.

It is not a mistake. It is intentional.

-Edward Jensen

[Author's note: for all the latest in the Willo saga, point your feed reader to 'Willo Watch' at http://feeds.feedburner.com/WilloWatch and thanks!]

Central Avenue is [...]]]> I was thinking if there might be anything good that can come out of the whole Willo situation. One thing led to another, and I came up with the following question: is there something like a neighborhood association but for Central Avenue? In other words, is there a “Central Avenue Alliance”?

Central Avenue is the main north-south thoroughfare through Phoenix. Besides going through Downtown Phoenix, it is home of the Central Corridor and Midtown Phoenix, home to numerous office towers and new residential developments. The new Valley Metro Light Rail system travels on Central Avenue from Jefferson Street to Camelback Road, a distance of over four miles.

Perhaps an organization like the “Central Avenue Alliance” can help development along Phoenix’s main street and increase awareness of Central Avenue. In addition to that, it would offer businesses along Central Avenue to network with each other and for residents to find services along Central Avenue.

I’m wondering what your ideas are. Let me know by e-mailing me and starting this conversation.

Cheers -
Edward Jensen

Yes, Willo has done it again. Information received from the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department yesterday (9 June 2008) indicated that the boundaries of Willo were changed unilaterally by Willo’s president, Dr. Robert Cannon in October 2007. This is illegal as the President of Willo does not have the power to change [...]]]>

Yes, Willo has done it again. Information received from the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department yesterday (9 June 2008) indicated that the boundaries of Willo were changed unilaterally by Willo’s president, Dr. Robert Cannon in October 2007. This is illegal as the President of Willo does not have the power to change boundaries nor does the board have the power to change the boundaries: it has to be done by majority vote of the members of the Neighborhood Association.

This only proves further that the present boundaries were not a “mistake” – they were set up as such to influence and control development along Central Avenue and when it was seen that Central Avenue development was going to challenge Willo’s authority, then the boundaries were changed.

There is a meeting on Thursday 12 June, where the bylaws will be put to a vote. I’ll let you know how that goes…

Cheers -EJ

Late-breaking news on the Tapestry on Central/Willo Neighborhood Association story: reputable sources within Tapestry are reporting that Tapestry on Central, as of now a part of the Willo Neighborhood Association, are being refused ballots for the 12 June 2008 vote to “correct” the bylaws. A challenge has been given to Michael Nowakowski, the [...]]]>

Late-breaking news on the Tapestry on Central/Willo Neighborhood Association story: reputable sources within Tapestry are reporting that Tapestry on Central, as of now a part of the Willo Neighborhood Association, are being refused ballots for the 12 June 2008 vote to “correct” the bylaws. A challenge has been given to Michael Nowakowski, the City of Phoenix councilmember for District 7 (home of Willo and Tapestry).

The bylaws as written now state that Tapestry is in Willo and that we (Tapestry) are entitled to all voting privileges pertaining thereto. This action taken by Willo proves that Tapestry is seen as a threat to Willo: otherwise, why should they care?

Updates will be given as we move forward.

Cheers – EJ

Alright, so as promised, here is the recap from tonight’s (15 May 2008) Willo Neighborhood Association (WNA) meeting.

As I mentioned in my first Willo/Tapestry post, Willo modified many design elements and posed many design restrictions on Tapestry’s development. Some of the designs – like the terraced west ends of the buildings – [...]]]>

Alright, so as promised, here is the recap from tonight’s (15 May 2008) Willo Neighborhood Association (WNA) meeting.

As I mentioned in my first Willo/Tapestry post, Willo modified many design elements and posed many design restrictions on Tapestry’s development. Some of the designs – like the terraced west ends of the buildings – have added architectural appeal to the building and have made it nicer for the owners and residents of Tapestry. But this is not the point.

The boundaries of the WNA are clearly defined in the bylaws of the WNA: Central Avenue to 7th Avenue east-to-west and McDowell Road to Thomas Road south-to-north. There are another set of boundaries – that of the Willo Historic District Conservation Plan as approved by various City agencies twenty-thee (23) years ago in 1985. These two sets of boundaries are not co-terminal, i.e. the boundaries are not the same. This is reasonable because there are many new buildings – Tapestry included – in the WNA boundaries.

At tonight’s meeting, the WNA board have decided that the boundaries of the WNA should be co-terminal with those of the 1985 Willo Historic District Conservation Plan. The board are also maintaining that the boundaries set in the present bylaws (15 March 2007) of the WNA have been in error and should never have been so inclusive (Central to 7th Avenue, McDowell to Thomas). What the board fails to see is that there can be two entities: a Neighborhood Association and a Conservation District. These two entities can co-exist even though their boundaries are not co-terminal. This is what is happening in Willo at present to great success.

What irks me off the most, however, is the attitude with which this issue is being dealt. After the meeting proper, a couple of Tapestry residents (my immediate neighbors), two WNA board members and a husband of a current WNA board member, and I had a discussion. The present board members are saying that the boundaries that are in the bylaws and have been in the bylaws for many years have been in error and therefore the boundaries of the WNA are not what are indicated in the bylaws. Rather than maintaining the present boundaries – because everyone who bought into Tapestry had assumed that they had bought into Willo – and consequentially welcoming the new members, the WNA decided to disenfranchise those who have been helping with Willo initiatives.

The above, however, is not the full truth. The real reason why the boundaries are being ‘corrected’ is to ensure that the will of Willo will not be challenged and threatened by people living in new development. Tapestry has 280 units. There is a new development being proposed at the northwest corner of Central and McDowell that will have ca. 900 units. Willo has ca. 900 houses. The question that Willo should be asking is this: why should Willo proper be afraid of the desires and wishes of new development? A neighborhood – especially a historic neighborhood – should be proud of its heritage but working for the future. Since historic districts cannot change the buildings, they can change their mentality and be progressive and inclusive. People living in historic houses and their counterparts in denser development all work for a shared goal: a successful neighborhood through security, safety, cleanliness, etc. The husband of the WNA board member – remember him? – said exactly that. He indicated that people living in houses had more of a valid opinion and better judgment of how a neighborhood should be run than those living in apartments or condominiums.

I cannot believe that I had heard that! Just because I made a personal choice to live in a condominium than in a single-family house makes me less of a person or my judgment has been impaired because of this? The maintenance (and naïveté) of such an opinion is breathtaking that I could not believe my ears. Willo is truly afraid that we, residents of a condominium community, will challenge – nay, threaten – the way in which Willo does business.

Willo has very selective membership criteria. When it benefits Willo and the interests of Willo, their membership will be inclusive. When Willo fears that their character will be threatened by that same external influence, Willo’s membership will be exclusive.

This is not how neighborhoods are run.

Cheers – EJ

Anyway, the DPJ posted a link to Local [...]]]> There are many Downtown Phoenix blogs that I read and from which I learn many things. One of those blogs is the Downtown Phoenix Journal (our own Sam Richard is a guest blogger for the ASU Downtown section, as is Phil Gordon, the mayor of Phoenix).

Anyway, the DPJ posted a link to Local First Arizona / Arizona Chain Reaction (http://www.localfirstaz.com/), which is a coalition of independent businesses. According to their website, “We are the locally-owned, independent businesses that are the backbone of the Arizona economy. When you shop at a locally owned business, 45 cents of every dollar stays in Arizona – versus only 13 cents of every dollar spent at a national chain!”

The cool part which is pertinent to downtown Phoenix residents is a 7-page PDF map of downtown Phoenix stores, shops, and restaurants. Go check it out at http://localfirstaz.com/downloads/small-wonders.pdf.

Cheers! – Edward Jensen