Tag Archive for phoenix

City of Phoenix Housing Meetings

The city of Phoenix is looking to identify housing and community development needs in Phoenix for the next five-year period.  Comments received will be summarized and used to complete a needs assessment for the 2015-2020 Consolidation Plan.

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City Of Phoenix Meetings

There will be three public meetings in September.

Residents are invited to attend a public meeting and share their comments on community needs such as housing, homelessness, public infrastructure, and economic development activities at any of the following meetings:

5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., first floor assembly room
5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, Desert West Community Center, 6501 W. Virginia Ave.
5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, Neighborhood Resource Center, 2405 E. Broadway Road
The Consolidated Plan also will contain a yearly action plan that will identify programs and activities funded through the following U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formula grant funds: Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).

Residents also can share input via email to rachel.milne@phoenix.gov or leave a comment on their hotline at 602-262-7281.

Or visit the City of Phoenix website for up to date news and information.

Make your voice heard by attending one of the meetings, emailing, or calling.  It’s your city-be involved!

Phoenix Student Creates Stunning Video

Recognize some of the landscape? It looks like a majority of it was shot from Piestewa Peak in the Phoenix 32nd St corridor.

Love the video? You might be surprised by who made it.  A local Phoenix high school student.  Brophy College Preparatory senior Michael Heiland captured this timelapse video called the “The Valley” to test out his timelapse skills.

“You’ll see a sunrise at about 4 in the morning from the top of Squaw Peak. You’ll see sunsets from Camelback and the other views downtown here. I went to about 30 locations,” the 17-year-old said.

“A lot of people think it was for fun, some people think that it was for a school project, but I just did it because I’m passionate about time-lapse photography and I wanted to make a video about Arizona because I hadn’t seen one before,” Heiland said.

The video has gone viral and has been viewed several thousands of times across the world.

Hieland took six months to complete the project.  He did some research and taught himself how to do time lapse photography.  He also did the legwork to get the fancy equipment and then hauled it up to Camelback Mountain and other places.

The finished product has been shared by Phoenix lovers and other alike.  Michael was able to capture the feeling of Phoenix as a thriving, busy city.

The beauty of the desert mixed with the vibrant city light sparkles throughout the video.  From the light rail, to the us airways center, Chase field, and downtown Michael’s video helps capture the essence of Phoenix.  A great city in the desert that we call home.

Michael graduated this May and is looking forward to film school at University of Arizona.  Maybe Michael will delight us once again with a timelapse of Tucson.  Only time will tell.

Tell us, what is your favorite part of the video?

 

 

 

New Phoenix Homes

Watt Communities of Arizona is building a new single family home development at 32nd street and Cactus in Phoenix called The Enclave.

EnclaveThe Enclave at 32nd St will be about 3.5 acres and situated on the southwestern corner of 32nd street and Cactus.  The move grows the company’s local presence and expands its product offerings to include single-family detached homes and urban townhomes in suburban neighborhoods.

Scheduled to break ground in late 2014 with models set to be completed by mid-2015,  The Enclave includes 31 two-story, single detached homes ranging from approximately 1700-200 square feet.  All homes will feature a welcoming front porch concept, creative side patios, builder installed front yards and common area landscaping, walkable interior courtyards, and private rear entry, two car garages.  The houses’ price range has yet to be determined.

“This development is based on a private drive design developed by our partners in California, and is a unique concept here in Arizona,” said Paul Timm, COO of Watt Communities of Arizona. “Having just one point of entry for the community adds a level of privacy and allows residents to own a small oasis within a bustling urban corridor. It is innovative housing in and active location, but also peaceful.”

The Enclave at 32nd street land acquisition closed escrow on May 13th for 1.275 million.

Steve Pritulsky, Watt Communities of Arizona president said that new homes in the area were few and far between since the downturn in the housing market.  Creating infill projects like these, he added, helped make the lots useable again.

“Typically, there’s a greater degree of profitability in the infill market,” Pritulsky said. “To some extent, they’re kind of insulated a great deal from direct competition.”

He said infill developments also directly help the community by using resources that already exist.

“So often you hear criticism that the development industry promotes sprawl and the outward march into the suburbs,” he said. “So I think one of the most basic things that it does for the community is that it leverages off of existing infrastructure, and it doesn’t create the need to basically expand the city. You’re filling in the gaps.”

This is exciting news for the community of 32nd st.  The vacant lot will finally have a purpose and is part of the 32 North revitalization plan.

Shea Heights and 32nd Street in the News

Phoenix Magazine has a spotlight on Shea Heights and 32nd Street.

 

FLOWER CHILD: The Shea Heights neighborhood was built in the 1960s in the flora-cloaked foothills of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. BYPASSED: The intersection of 32nd Street and Shea Boulevard used to be one of the busiest intersections in Phoenix because 32nd Street was the only route to north Phoenix. The congestion was alleviated in the early 1990s with the unveiling of State Route 51.NAME THAT ‘HOOD: Rebecca Golden, owner of cafe 32 Shea, coined the nickname “Up-Uptown” for the neighborhood, to reflect its up-and-coming-back vibe, driven by new local businesses and hikers who head to the area for the beautiful views and extensive trails.

1

The Rhinestone Shop
Give your inner “rhinestone cowboy” a chance to shine by perusing this family-owned jeweler’s large online selection of bargain-priced baubles. Though there’s no commercial storefront, customers can call ahead to visit the location. Not sure what do to with those gold nailhead stars and skull-shaped blue Swarovski stones you bought on a whim? The Rhinestone Shop also has a DIY blog with ideas and instructions for blinging out your clothes, nails, cell phone, wedding favors and more. And the shipping is lightning-fast. 2512 E. Shangri-La Rd., 602-795-7855, rhinestoneshop.com

2

A Second Look
A Second Look has been around for 30 years, building a reputation as the consignment store in the Valley for unusual treasures at great prices. With more than 15,000 items arriving every week, shoppers have no shortage of choices for clothing, accessories, jewelry, housewares and more in this department store-size shop. And just in case you need a pick-me-up from all that exhausting shopping, A Second Look has a coffee shop and bakery hidden away in the back of the store. 10620 N. 32nd St.,
602-992-1916, asecondlook.com

3

32 Shea

Not many drive-thrus offer prosciutto, mascarpone cheese, figs and honey on a fresh ciabatta roll, but Rebecca Golden (pictured), owner of 32 Shea, is determined to do it all. Since 2011, this trendy hangout spot has served locals with its splendid split-personality service. Before 4 p.m., coffee lovers come for the espresso bar featuring house-made syrups and signature Nutella mocha. After 4 p.m., 32 Shea transforms into a chic urban restaurant. Nighttime diners can choose from eight different kinds of bruschetta for starters and pair it with mouthwatering crab cakes. 10626 N. 32nd St., 602-867-7432, 32shea.com

4

Sala Thai
Sala Thai’s giant menu has a little something for everyone. Adventurous eaters with a yearning to try authentic Thai food can order the Nam-Sod – a fermented pork dish seasoned with lime juice, ginger, onions and Thai peppers ($9.50), or the duck curry with hints of coconut and basil ($11.50). Diners looking for some American grub with an Asian twist can get their fill with Sala Thai’s Thai barbecue spare ribs drenched in sweet chili sauce ($9.95). The restaurant also serves  refreshing Thai iced tea with boba ($3). 10880 N. 32nd St., 602-971-1293, salathaiaz.com

 Article by Kristen Hwang photos by Blake Bonillas