The land of blah and bleh. (Phoenix, Scottsdale: highrise, apartments, jobs)

[CodyW]

I have an issue with Phoenix, and, living here all my life, I think I've spent more than enough time keeping to myself about it.

Reasons to dislike Phoenix:

1. SPRAWL

Phoenix, Arizona covers more land than Los Angeles, yet, the our metro area only has an estimated 4.1 million people. Anybody else see anything wrong with that?

2. Dead

I've never found an active pedestrian area in this entire mecca for sprawl. People just don't walk. Why bother when you can take your car somewhere, right?

3. Lack of public transportation

Bus system. Light rail (behind schedule I might add.) Theres nothing else. Should there be? Definately. With as many people commuting around the city each day as there easy, we should have regular commuter rail or something.

But ADOT insists.. "Why invest in public transportation when we can just add on to the freeway system? We could earn money by expanding Loop 303! Hey, why not Loop 404?"

4. Pride

People don't take pride in this city. Ok, sure, maybe theres not a whole lot to take pride in. But come on! Somebody has to do it!

5. Where oh where is the urban scene?

Ever been to downtown? Hmm... probably not. Why? Because at the moment, most people only go downtown when they have to. This is slowly changing. But, we need more residential development, STORES, restaurants, shade! Make it pedestrian friendly!

Blah. I'm done ranting [for now].


--Cody W

On a positive note; Its slightly cooler today. So far, and construction is moving right along on 44 Monroe [downtown]. Yay for new highrises!

--Cody W

[SpeedyAZ]

1) The Greater Los Angeles area is larger in area than the Greater Phoenix area. I personally love the sprawl, it's better than being crammed in.

2) Driving in natural in this city. People are out, but they drive to their destinations because of the sprawl (see #1).

3) I agree, but not many people (at least that I know of) would use public transport even if it was readily available. (See #2)

4) I take pride in living here. I can't say for everyone else.

5) True

[irwin]

Speedy-

Did you ever think that “sprawl” is the main reason for the lack of a downtown in Phoenix? You say you like sprawl, but then agree on the need for an expanded urban area. Doesn’t make sense.

BTW, regarding the high-rise developments in downtown, unless there are cafes, restaurants, dry cleaners, and yes GROCERY STORES within walking distance of these developments, it is not going to contribute to a downtown scene. In fact, all that will happen is increased traffic

[steve22]

Originally Posted by irwin

Speedy-

Did you ever think that “sprawl” is the main reason for the lack of a downtown in Phoenix? You say you like sprawl, but then agree on the need for an expanded urban area. Doesn’t make sense.

BTW, regarding the high-rise developments in downtown, unless there are cafes, restaurants, dry cleaners, and yes GROCERY STORES within walking distance of these developments, it is not going to contribute to a downtown scene. In fact, all that will happen is increased traffic

Amen. Until you build amenities and a real community-type atmosphere- with neighborhoods, grocery stores, schools, etc.- it's not going to be an attractive place for most people to live. And unless you bring a whole lot more jobs downtown, building high-rises won't change anything b/c no one will have any reason or incentive to move downtown & live in them. Why live downtown when you work in Scottsdale or Tempe? The task of building/revitalizing Phoenix's downtown is a major project that's going to require a whole lot more than constructing a light rail and building some high-rise apartments.

[SpeedyAZ]

Did you ever think that “sprawl” is the main reason for the lack of a downtown in Phoenix? You say you like sprawl, but then agree on the need for an expanded urban area. Doesn’t make sense.

No, you're twisting my words. I agreed that there is no real urban scene, I never said there needed to be one. I'm not into the "urban" scene, I like the 'burbs; it's friendly, comfortable, and just an overall great place to live. I don't mind sprawl, I would rather have everything spread out than crammed together.