What ever happened to Phoenix & Las Vegas being blue collar meccas? (Tucson: unemployment, construction)

[Radical_Car]

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[Lovetheoutdoors]

What happened to the jobs??? Surely you've heard how the economy crashed right? That's what happened to the jobs.

No offense but this is a silly question. No job - white collar, blue collar, etc has been immune from the economy's downfall.

[las vegas drunk]

Yes, this is a nationwide problem, not just Phoenix and Vegas.

[RampageInAZ]

This has to be a joke post. We've only been in a horrible recession for 2 years now.

[Radical_Car]

time to let this thread die

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by Radical_Car

time to let this thread die

This is the best question that's ever been asked about the economy on this board.

I am NOOOOO expert however I'll offer these suggestions for the road to recovery . . .

Construction WAS a major driving force of the economies in both Phoenix and Vegas until the housing crash.

Phoenix, Tucson, and Vegas have never had that much manufacturing in the first place, relatively speaking, compared to the Upper Midwest and other parts of the US.

If Arizona would sell state land to developers for less money, than perhaps construction would come back.

If Arizona would change to the Houston, TX system for developers of paying utility fees back over 30 years, rather than one time expensive Impact Fees.

If Vegas would either eliminate or lessen the requirements that developers pay for open space and other amenities.

I agree with Gov. Brewer who would like to see more nuclear and clean coal plants in Arizona.

I think Arizona and New Mexico can both become national leaders in all forms of energy: nuclear, clean coal, solar, oil, gas, and wind.

[Radical_Car]

Originally Posted by CCCVDUR

This is the best question that's ever been asked about the economy on this board.

I am NOOOOO expert however I'll offer these suggestions for the road to recovery . . .

Construction WAS a major driving force of the economies in both Phoenix and Vegas until the housing crash.

Phoenix, Tucson, and Vegas have never had that much manufacturing in the first place, relatively speaking, compared to the Upper Midwest and other parts of the US.

If Arizona would sell state land to developers for less money, than perhaps construction would come back.

If Arizona would change to the Houston, TX system for developers of paying utility fees back over 30 years, rather than one time expensive Impact Fees.

If Vegas would either eliminate or lessen the requirements that developers pay for open space and other amenities.

I agree with Gov. Brewer who would like to see more nuclear and clean coal plants in Arizona.

I think Arizona and New Mexico can both become national leaders in all forms of energy: nuclear, clean coal, solar, oil, gas, and wind.

Thank you! I don't know a lot about Arizona and the surrounding area as far as the economy goesnd NEVER intended this to be a joke thread, I was looking for some reasons like you explained about the kind of jobs they once had and why there isn't anymore. Since people just thought I was being a troll, thats why I said it should just die. And I am fully aware of the recession and how not just Arizona has high unemployment, I was just unfamiliar with Arizona's economy and what it once was, especially when I have heard several people on this board talk about how people used to flock here for jobs.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by CCCVDUR

If Arizona would sell state land to developers for less money, than perhaps construction would come back.

That simply isn't sustainable. Do you really want the entire state of Arizona to look 100% like Los Angeles? There's still plenty of land that isn't state land that can be developed to make look like Los Angeles if you really want that.

The problem with that though, is that if the state of Arizona looks and feels like Los Angeles, your drive from Phoenix up to the Grand Canyon will take you 20 hours soon in 20 years time. The other negative is that at least Los Angeles has coastline all along one side. To just create 1000s of miles of pure sprawl in 100 degree heat and pure pavement everywhere you see...I just can't imagine anyone actually paying to live in that kind of environment.

In short, get another skill, and encourage a much more sustainable industry that would supply jobs for Arizona. Paving over the entire state is a finite project and why would you want to build the world's largest parking lot just destroys the place altogether.

[Moonlover]

Phoenix ? I was there a few times. It was brown and dry and dusty. The drinking water was weird. No fresh fish in the markets, and tumbleweeds everywhere. My nieces had to stay inside because the air quality was so poor. Lots of gangs also.
And...If I recall correctly it was the last state to recognize Dr. King's Holiday. A man who gave his life to promote harmony in this country.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

That simply isn't sustainable. Do you really want the entire state of Arizona to look 100% like Los Angeles? There's still plenty of land that isn't state land that can be developed to make look like Los Angeles if you really want that.

The problem with that though, is that if the state of Arizona looks and feels like Los Angeles, your drive from Phoenix up to the Grand Canyon will take you 20 hours soon in 20 years time. The other negative is that at least Los Angeles has coastline all along one side. To just create 1000s of miles of pure sprawl in 100 degree heat and pure pavement everywhere you see...I just can't imagine anyone actually paying to live in that kind of environment.

In short, get another skill, and encourage a much more sustainable industry that would supply jobs for Arizona. Paving over the entire state is a finite project and why would you want to build the world's largest parking lot just destroys the place altogether.

The poster asked about jobs, and I tried to respond to that. However since you ask about urban planning, note that Japan (your profile location) experienced a severe housing crisis due entirely to severe land rationing.

If you want to bring back jobs to Arizona, start with construction.

Eliminate the one time impact fees, and let developers pay the utilities over 30 years like in Houston.

Sell agricultural land at market rates, not inflated rates.

It's all about supply and demand. Every state - 21 states total including AZ,CA,OR,WA that's enacted growth management of one form or another, has experienced a housing bubble.

You asked about sustainable industries for Arizona, and I mentioned those: make Arizona and New Mexico the leaders in solar, wind, nuclear, gas, and oil.

What other sustainable industries would you suggest? Others could include mining and timber. Any others?