downtown phoenix has been invaded (Tempe: mover, condo, how much)

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

I spoke with a local artist who knew all of this was going to happen. There is a certain developer who owns most, if not all, of the land in the Roosevelt Row area and he (the artist) told me years ago about butting heads with the person who owned the properties about their plan. That plan was to allow the local artist to build up interest, noteriety and culture in the area before going in and changing it to what it's becoming. This is no accident, it was by design unfortunately.

Most of the artists are moving along Grand/7th Ave instead. The old vibe is returning over there.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by kytoaz

They are bulldozing the old and building new high rise apartments everywhere who's main demographic appears to be college kids.

Only a few small buildings have been demolished. Most of the construction is occurring on vacant land.

The new buildings currently under construction are generally under 10 stories tall, which means they're too short to meet any widely accepted definition of the phrase "high rise."

Combine this with false claims about "condos" (Most of what is being built is apartments.), and there's a lot of misinformation circulating from the misguided "Save Roosevelt Row" movement.

For years, Downtown advocates have wished for density and development along the light rail corridor. Now, that it's finally happening, it's disappointing that some of those same advocates fight to maintain the status quo, vacant lots and all.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by kytoaz

drunk off their a** 21 year old girls have taken over.

Oh my god, that's horrible! Do you have the exact GPS coordinates?

[ScottsdaleMark]

I have some sympathy for anyone who buys into a neighborhood and then finds it changing around them.

This happens sometimes for the better (e.g. you buy a cheap starter home out in the boonies 40 years ago and now it's in a desirable, popular area and worth lots of money), sometimes for the worst (e.g. you buy a cheap starter home out in the boonies 40 years ago and now it's in a depressed, dangerous area with low property values), and sometimes just for the annoying (e.g. you buy into a cheap, emerging arts district and find it taken over by commercialism).

I mean, if you buy into an arts district and all of a sudden it's become more of a party district, yes, that's a downer. I do understand of course that there was always the risk of this happening for people who buy downtown or adjacent areas. It's been an area of gentrification and increasing popularity for a while now, so this isn't a total blindside.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by ScottsdaleMark

I have some sympathy for anyone who buys into a neighborhood and then finds it changing around them.

This happens sometimes for the better (e.g. you buy a cheap starter home out in the boonies 40 years ago and now it's in a desirable, popular area and worth lots of money), sometimes for the worst (e.g. you buy a cheap starter home out in the boonies 40 years ago and now it's in a depressed, dangerous area with low property values), and sometimes just for the annoying (e.g. you buy into a cheap, emerging arts district and find it taken over by commercialism).

I mean, if you buy into an arts district and all of a sudden it's become more of a party district, yes, that's a downer. I do understand of course that there was always the risk of this happening for people who buy downtown or adjacent areas. It's been an area of gentrification and increasing popularity for a while now, so this isn't a total blindside.

Agreed, but almost none of those vocally opposing Roosevelt Row development are homeowners. Many are renters who want their low rents to stay eternally low. Some don't even live in the neighborhood. Many of those who do own property in the area are now trying to realize some gains after banking vacant or underutilized land for years.

[azriverfan.]

I like the college kids. Even though I'm an old man, I like their desire for progress and innovation. Us old folks are a bunch of NIMBY's who want Phoenix to look an old west town or a golf course mecca for retired Republican snowbirds. If downtown is invaded by more college kids, good!

I don't like the "bro frat" guy culture either but there are a lot of positives that come with that namely restaurants and entertainment. Also, today's ASU students are far different than the ones even 15 years ago. Sure, there is always going to be that party element but they are a lot more refined. ASU is not the same party school it was when Playboy ranked it #1. The student population is much more sophisticated. Granted, it's not the University of Michigan but it's getting better.

[WSPHXPELON]

Originally Posted by locolife

In other words, Phoenix is becoming a real city, full of the same city dwellers every other city in America has. It was bound to happen sooner or later. For what it's worth we are living in a time when more adult aged people are choosing to live in urban environments then we've had in a long time.

Originally Posted by AZSunDevil83

hahahah wow...people are so scared of change that they are willing to leave the place they love because of "college kids" and "hipsters". So not the transients, but the "college kids". I love The Vig and love that I can walk to it whenever I choose. I guess people just want it to be the barren wasteland that downtown and Roosevelt Row once was before ASU and all the new developments. Bring it on I say, helps raise the value of my home even more! If you think it's bad cause of The Vig, please leave now before The Fillmore gets built out LOL

Originally Posted by i'm not a cookie

This is a pretty dramatic post haha. I don't view this as a bad thing.

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

I like the college kids. Even though I'm an old man, I like their desire for progress and innovation. Us old folks are a bunch of NIMBY's who want Phoenix to look an old west town or a golf course mecca for retired Republican snowbirds. If downtown is invaded by more college kids, good!
...

I'm with you guys. I live a stone's throw away from downtown and I really like seeing all these Hipsters, college kids and etc in the area. IMO it does nothing other than improve the downtown area.

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Granted, it's not the University of Michigan but it's getting better.

I was about ready to comment & compare the changes here vs. Ann Arbor....I lived in the A2 area for 23 years.


While you're always gonna have a 'lil rowdiness with the younger crowd, I'm more concerned that Phoenix could look more like East Lansing, MI.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by AZSunDevil83

hahahah wow...people are so scared of change that they are willing to leave the place they love because of "college kids" and "hipsters". So not the transients, but the "college kids". I love The Vig and love that I can walk to it whenever I choose. I guess people just want it to be the barren wasteland that downtown and Roosevelt Row once was before ASU and all the new developments. Bring it on I say, helps raise the value of my home even more! If you think it's bad cause of The Vig, please leave now before The Fillmore gets built out LOL

This is the best response on this thread on so many levels. First of all, you put "college kids" in quotation marks for a good reason. They are not college kids. They are "hipsters" meaning it includes people in college but also a lot of young adults who have full times jobs in their late 20's and early 30's.

These hipsters made Roosevelt Row relevant. Prior to the hipster invasion, no one had even heard of Roosevelt Row particularly if you lived in the suburbs. It was nothing but a shanty little area that was known exclusively for First Fridays. It wasn't until the hipsters invaded that money began pouring into that area to meet their demand. And now the OP wants to p$# on the very people who made Roosevelt Row relevant. So you want it to go back to what it was: a barren undeveloped street that had prostitutes and homeless. Yay, return it to the old days.

And any relevant arts district has tourist traps and chains. They all do. Any "artiste" who thinks otherwise hasn't really traveled to those places and is just envisioning their perfect neighborhood.

[stevek64]

Well, I think it's all part of how life works on just about all levels.....nothing stays the same forever. Cities, states, and in this case, neighborhoods change, sometimes in big ways over the years/decades. Depending if it's seen as a plus or minus depends on what one wants in a neighborhood, ie "one's mans trash is another man's paradise". I've learned to accept what things are that can't be changed or controlled and either roll with a place/remain to live there or move on if it doesn't work for me.