How's Infill Going?

[locolife]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

We're definitely doing better in this regard with many new residential projects (both condo & apartment) under construction along the light rail corridor along Central Avenue in Phoenix, Apache Boulevard in Tempe, and Main Street in Mesa. There are also some pockets of increased density elsewhere in Scottsdale, the Biltmore Area, and a big (and controversial) project proposed for North Central Phoenix.

As for walkability, that's improving but still has a way to go. Some of the very same projects that have added density also have a great deal of bundled (no extra cost to residents) parking, taking up space and diminishing the incentive to choose non-automotive modes. Some also have long, uninteresting facades that reduce the appeal of their blocks as pedestrian corridors. Others have chosen palms instead of shadier species of trees to address the heat issues mentioned above. Still, it's progress to have so much new housing within walking distance of transit, employers, and businesses.

You mentioned Apache but not downtown Tempe? The Mill/Town Lake area is in a building trend like none other we've seen here, a rundown of projects are below.

Under Construction
Aura Watermark 1A - Office - 15 stories - 281 ft.
7th St. - Residential/Mixed - 20/16/12 stories - 224 ft.
The Local - Residential/Mixed - 9 stories - 118 ft.
Aura Watermark 1B - Residential - 7 stories - 90 ft.
Jefferson Town Lake - Residential - 6 stories - 86 ft.
University Village 2.0/Sterling - Residential - 5 stories - 75 ft.
Crescent Rio - Residential - 5 stories - 62.5 ft.
Freedom Rio - Office - 4 stories - 62 ft.
Valor on Eighth - Residential - 4 stories - 60 ft.
Broadstone Lakeside - Residential - 4 stories - 50 ft.

Developments Planned
The Pier - Residential/Mixed - 22 stories - 283 ft.
ASU Mirabella - Residential/Mixed - 20 stories - 250 ft.
Cambria on College (Hawaiian BBQ lot) - Hotel/Residential - 22 stories - 271 ft.
Skyview - Residential - 24 stories - 249 ft.
Westin Tempe - Hotel - 18 stories - 225 ft.
Omni Hotel - 13 stories
Hayden Flour Mill - Office - 71 ft.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by locolife

You mentioned Apache but not downtown Tempe? The Mill/Town Lake area is in a building trend like none other we've seen here, a rundown of projects are below.

Under Construction
Aura Watermark 1A - Office - 15 stories - 281 ft.
7th St. - Residential/Mixed - 20/16/12 stories - 224 ft.
The Local - Residential/Mixed - 9 stories - 118 ft.
Aura Watermark 1B - Residential - 7 stories - 90 ft.
Jefferson Town Lake - Residential - 6 stories - 86 ft.
University Village 2.0/Sterling - Residential - 5 stories - 75 ft.
Crescent Rio - Residential - 5 stories - 62.5 ft.
Freedom Rio - Office - 4 stories - 62 ft.
Valor on Eighth - Residential - 4 stories - 60 ft.
Broadstone Lakeside - Residential - 4 stories - 50 ft.

Developments Planned
The Pier - Residential/Mixed - 22 stories - 283 ft.
ASU Mirabella - Residential/Mixed - 20 stories - 250 ft.
Cambria on College (Hawaiian BBQ lot) - Hotel/Residential - 22 stories - 271 ft.
Skyview - Residential - 24 stories - 249 ft.
Westin Tempe - Hotel - 18 stories - 225 ft.
Omni Hotel - 13 stories
Hayden Flour Mill - Office - 71 ft.

You're right. Thanks for supplementing my response with helpful additional information.

[DTWtoPHX]

Originally Posted by locolife

You mentioned Apache but not downtown Tempe? The Mill/Town Lake area is in a building trend like none other we've seen here, a rundown of projects are below.

Under Construction
Aura Watermark 1A - Office - 15 stories - 281 ft.
7th St. - Residential/Mixed - 20/16/12 stories - 224 ft.
The Local - Residential/Mixed - 9 stories - 118 ft.
Aura Watermark 1B - Residential - 7 stories - 90 ft.
Jefferson Town Lake - Residential - 6 stories - 86 ft.
University Village 2.0/Sterling - Residential - 5 stories - 75 ft.
Crescent Rio - Residential - 5 stories - 62.5 ft.
Freedom Rio - Office - 4 stories - 62 ft.
Valor on Eighth - Residential - 4 stories - 60 ft.
Broadstone Lakeside - Residential - 4 stories - 50 ft.

Developments Planned
The Pier - Residential/Mixed - 22 stories - 283 ft.
ASU Mirabella - Residential/Mixed - 20 stories - 250 ft.
Cambria on College (Hawaiian BBQ lot) - Hotel/Residential - 22 stories - 271 ft.
Skyview - Residential - 24 stories - 249 ft.
Westin Tempe - Hotel - 18 stories - 225 ft.
Omni Hotel - 13 stories
Hayden Flour Mill - Office - 71 ft.

Thank you for this! It's awesome. Is Scottsdale working to densify the resort corridor at all? That seems like a no-brainer because that main strip (Scottsdale Rd) is where tourists stay. I also read an article about the Phoenician building 300 () more condos and homes into the side of Camelback mountain.

Also, is Arcadia really that cool? I've heard so much about it, but it seems like a glorified suburb.

Tying into that, how about Melrose? I read that a new park is coming New Park The Lyceum Coming to Phoenix's Melrose District | Phoenix New Times, so that'll be cool!

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by DTWtoPHX

Thank you for this! It's awesome. Is Scottsdale working to densify the resort corridor at all? That seems like a no-brainer because that main strip (Scottsdale Rd) is where tourists stay. I also read an article about the Phoenician building 300 () more condos and homes into the side of Camelback mountain.

Also, is Arcadia really that cool? I've heard so much about it, but it seems like a glorified suburb.

Tying into that, how about Melrose? I read that a new park is coming New Park The Lyceum Coming to Phoenix's Melrose District | Phoenix New Times, so that'll be cool!

Density is the biggest political divide in Scottsdale. The mayor and council are all Republicans, so the political contest isn't between two parties. Instead, it's between those who want to allow increased density in the name of economic development and those who want to maintain current low densities that they associate with a high quality of life and Scottsdale's distinctiveness. This debate has raged for years with facets devoted to apartment development, a cluster of bars known as "the entertainment district," and expansion of light rail. The apartments are going up, but not necessarily the transportation infrastructure go with them. Keep in mind that the Phoenician resort is within Phoenix city limits despite efforts to market itself in association with Scottsdale.

Arcadia is a suburban neighborhood within Phoenix city limits but often more closely aligned with Scottsdale, which borders Arcadia to the east. True Arcadia is mostly residential with some beautiful mid-century houses on large plots of land. It's great for bicycling and recreational walking along the canal but not so good for day-to-day walking for errands. Keep in mind that the borders of Arcadia have been stretched, mostly for marketing purposes, beyond the neighborhood's historic boundaries, so it's not uncommon to see references to places as far west as 24th Street as being in Arcadia, even though they're really not.

That New Times articles is the first I've heard about the new park in Melrose. It sounds like a nice project. That neighborhood is at a sort of crossroads right now. For years, it has been seen as sort of quirky and scrappy, and many residents want it to stay that way. That's why there has been a lot of criticism of a big new apartment building there and an outcry when a dilapidated drive-thru liquor store was recently threatened with demolition. The neighborhood is within walking distance of light rail, but the high-speed traffic and wide layout of 7th Avenue diminish the area's walk appeal.

[GSR13]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Density is the biggest political divide in Scottsdale. The mayor and council are all Republicans, so the political contest isn't between two parties. Instead, it's between those who want to allow increased density in the name of economic development and those who want to maintain current low densities that they associate with a high quality of life and Scottsdale's distinctiveness. This debate has raged for years with facets devoted to apartment development, a cluster of bars known as "the entertainment district," and expansion of light rail. The apartments are going up, but not necessarily the transportation infrastructure go with them. Keep in mind that the Phoenician resort is within Phoenix city limits despite efforts to market itself in association with Scottsdale.

Arcadia is a suburban neighborhood within Phoenix city limits but often more closely aligned with Scottsdale, which borders Arcadia to the east. True Arcadia is mostly residential with some beautiful mid-century houses on large plots of land. It's great for bicycling and recreational walking along the canal but not so good for day-to-day walking for errands. Keep in mind that the borders of Arcadia have been stretched, mostly for marketing purposes, beyond the neighborhood's historic boundaries, so it's not uncommon to see references to places as far west as 24th Street as being in Arcadia, even though they're really not.

That New Times articles is the first I've heard about the new park in Melrose. It sounds like a nice project. That neighborhood is at a sort of crossroads right now. For years, it has been seen as sort of quirky and scrappy, and many residents want it to stay that way. That's why there has been a lot of criticism of a big new apartment building there and an outcry when a dilapidated drive-thru liquor store was recently threatened with demolition. The neighborhood is within walking distance of light rail, but the high-speed traffic and wide layout of 7th Avenue diminish the area's walk appeal.

Great post until the very end. Ever hear of crosswalks? lolz