[HooverDam]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zu6pwyudcw
Skip to 12:00 for the updates for a few projects and the rendering of the law School.

The demolition of the Ramada is still a tragedy, it should've been converted to a hip, smaller version of the Valley Ho. That being said, whats done is done and a 28 story apartment and residential tower is very appealing on that site. Crow even mentions the building will be "open" and "accessible" which hopefully means permeable and designed well from an urban point of view---though ASUs record on that is of course mixed at best.

[trigirdbers]

Exactly the additional SRC fee hasn't kicked in yet. Surprised to hear the backlash on Health Services expansion/ addition Women's Health since prior to that they lack adequate care for such a large student population on the Tempe.

Funding was reduced to what, 2006 levels? Even given the fact that enrollment has slightly increased since then, the tuition is nowhere near where it was in 2006.

[Leo the Dog]

meanwhile the south face of the one building by the one place on 7th street is looking near completion. Lots of copper and even the awnings are copper. very shiny and cool.

Photo update, por favor.

[nickw252]

Photo update, por favor.

From my car window

http://i51.tinypic.com/2db3pud.jpg

Maybe I'll go for a bike ride tomorrow and get some more.

[Vicelord John]

I'm slackin' sorry!

I'll try to take one tomorrow morning.

[HX_Guy]

That looks pretty nice between the two historic school buildings.

On another note, lots of permit activity going on with the Concord Eastridge student housing at 3rd St and Roosevelt (one 7 story building and one 8 story building) plus lots of permit stuff going on with the Arizona Cancer Center (6 story building). It'll be nice to see more tower cranes up downtown. :)

[Don B.]

I'll take any sort of multi-story project of 4, 6, or 8 stories over the plethora of dirt lots and under-utilized pieces of land we have now in downtown. Good stuff...

--don

[nickw252]

On another note, lots of permit activity going on with the Concord Eastridge student housing at 3rd St and Roosevelt (one 7 story building and one 8 story building) plus lots of permit stuff going on with the Arizona Cancer Center (6 story building). It'll be nice to see more tower cranes up downtown. :)

Any permits worth posting?

[HX_Guy]

Not really, just the regular stuff that happens prior to construction starting.

[wissundevil06]

Can someone post the renderings again of the new student housing project on 3rd St and Roosevelt? I know I saw them recently. I think this project could be one of the most exciting up and coming projects in Phoenix, and hopefully will spur more, new infill developments in the near future. Really looking forward to this one.

[HX_Guy]

http://nitnelav.com/DTJAN262012/2.jpg

http://nitnelav.com/DTJAN262012/4.jpg

[dtnphx]

That's the bluest sky, I've ever seen!

[Leo the Dog]

I'll take any sort of multi-story project of 4, 6, or 8 stories over the plethora of dirt lots and under-utilized pieces of land we have now in downtown. Good stuff...

--don

I couldn't agree more. I was a little skeptical at first, but this building is looking great.

Thanks to Nick and HXGuy for the photos!

[combusean]

Can someone post the renderings again of the new student housing project on 3rd St and Roosevelt? I know I saw them recently. I think this project could be one of the most exciting up and coming projects in Phoenix, and hopefully will spur more, new infill developments in the near future. Really looking forward to this one.

http://phxdowntowner.org/2011/04/10/downtown-apartments-1104/

[scottkag]

Can someone post the renderings again of the new student housing project on 3rd St and Roosevelt? I know I saw them recently. I think this project could be one of the most exciting up and coming projects in Phoenix, and hopefully will spur more, new infill developments in the near future. Really looking forward to this one.

Fence going up today around this lot!

[gymratmanaz]

Yes!!!!!!!

[HX_Guy]

I'll stop by maybe this weekend to take some initial pictures but in the mean time I found that they actually have a webpage up for this project with some renderings that I don't think we've seen. This is really going to transform that area, right now it's just dirt lots with a few houses scattered around basically.

http://www.concordeastridge.com/projects/project.php?id=88

http://www.concordeastridge.com/image.php?/projImg/88-2-480X360.jpg

http://www.concordeastridge.com/image.php?/projImg/88-1-480X360.jpg

Two buildings 7-8 stories each,
Approx. 320 dwelling units,
Common areas,
Approx. 5K GSF retail,
5 level parking garage w/ approx. 400 parking stalls,
(2) on-grade pools

[PHX31]

It is really going to help Roosevelt row be less disjointed and support the bars restaurants and other businesses in that area. The first Friday "farts and craps" trinket hawkers that used to set up on that empty lot might be pissed, but who cares.

[phxSUNSfan]

The Concorde Eastridge project isn't an ASU or UofA development. The company also slightly shifted their focus from "private student housing" to "general leasing" with a focus on the growing student population and biomedical campus. I think this is a wise shift since the area attracts all types, not just students. Maybe we could move the recent posting to the Phoenix Development thread since there is duplication on this topic.

[Vicelord John]

Let's all argue about which thread we have to post in again!

[HX_Guy]

I was actually in the process of making a new thread for this project, like we had for Alta Phoenix, but then in the description on Concord's website, it still says it's a project intended to serve the population of students at ASU so I ended up putting it in here.

[gymratmanaz]

This really will change the area dramatically! :)

HX...give a shout. Maybe I'll join you. Sunday?

[phxSUNSfan]

I was actually in the process of making a new thread for this project, like we had for Alta Phoenix, but then in the description on Concord's website, it still says it's a project intended to serve the population of students at ASU so I ended up putting it in here.

LOL, I know VLJohn hates the "which thread should this go in" comments but it just helps keep things focused and user friendly. The Concord site actually removed "private student housing" but does mentions students as the primary tenants. But it isn't an ASU or UofA construction project either way. ;)

[scottkag]

LOL, I know VLJohn hates the "which thread should this go in" comments but it just helps keep things focused and user friendly. The Concord site actually removed "private student housing" but does mentions students as the primary tenants. But it isn't an ASU or UofA construction project either way. ;)

It seems like every other time we hear press about this project it is student housing, then it isn't. I think the location would appeal to plenty of non-students, so I hope they stick to student friendly plain ole apartments this time!

[Phxguy]

Great news pertaining to Student Rec center+Post office.
http://downtowndevil.com/2012/02/22/22405/downtown-student-recreation-center-post-office-renovations/

[HX_Guy]

Pretty cool...I like the departure from the other ASU designs downtown, good to have some variety.

http://www.nitnelav.com/src4.jpg

http://www.nitnelav.com/src2.jpg

http://www.nitnelav.com/src1.jpg

http://www.nitnelav.com/src3.jpg

[combusean]

When the heck was this thing approved? I thought that legislating loser lardmonkey Kavanaugh kiboshed it.

[phxSUNSfan]

When the heck was this thing approved? I thought that legislating loser lardmonkey Kavanaugh kiboshed it.

Guess not...the article states that construction will begin within the next couple of months and the construction schedule is "aggressive".

The UofA's new downtown Med School looks really nice. Looks like they took a cue from ASU's Nursing and Healthcare Innovation building and used lots of copper. :tup:

[jwoodcoc]

http://urbnphx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/BioMedicalCenter.jpg
Went by and took some pictures of the the new Biomedical Building, looks like the exterior is almost finished.

[Tempe_Duck]

http://urbnphx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/BioMedicalCenter.jpg
Went by and took some pictures of the the new Biomedical Building, looks like the exterior is almost finished.

I LOVE the copper on that building

[gymratmanaz]

I wish they could seal the bright copper color somehow. The bright color is awesome, and i don't see it turning the cool green we think copper turns.

[phxSUNSfan]

I wish they could seal the bright copper color somehow. The bright color is awesome, and i don't see it turning the cool green we think copper turns.

It takes about 20 years (under normal conditions) for a metal to patina like copper or bronze. Will take much longer in Phoenix since humidity remains very low for much of the year...

[trigirdbers]

I wish they could seal the bright copper color somehow. The bright color is awesome, and i don't see it turning the cool green we think copper turns.

The new trend is to treat it so that this doesn't happen (or its happening is severely hampered).

[jwoodcoc]

Yeah the building definitely looks good.

[Phxguy]

Anyone have anymore news on the SRC?

[MegaBass]

Anyone have anymore news on the SRC?

Nothing really. Odd because they just had groundbreakings last week for Tempe, West, and Poly SRCs.

[AJphx]

Nothing really. Odd because they just had groundbreakings last week for Tempe, West, and Poly SRCs.
The Tempe one did? I know there is that expansion plan for the Tempe SRC, but I don't see any news reports of a groundbreaking or anything else about it really.

otherwise its impressive all the campuses are building new rec centers.

[MegaBass]

The Tempe one did? I know there is that expansion plan for the Tempe SRC, but I don't see any news reports of a groundbreaking or anything else about it really.

otherwise its impressive all the campuses are building new rec centers.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/543648_299480880128886_125963537480622_659145_1606599870_n.jpg

I think its more towards typical university and organization fashion poor timing towards the end of the semester and advertising.

Here's more on Tempe's SRC (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASU-Tempe-Rec-Facility-Building-Your-Vision/125963537480622), West SRC (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASU-West-Rec-Facility-Building-Your-Vision/187434157956212), and Poly SRC (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASU-Poly-Rec-Facility-Building-Your-Vision/186845404683808) (needs an update because that project is moving fast).

[MegaBass]

ASU Downtown Post Office Project Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASU-Downtown-Post-Office-Project/149707905094348)
ASU Downtown Post Office Designs
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/427760_291928024205668_149707905094348_798399_2045068941_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419740_291931694205301_149707905094348_798420_1027370837_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/432284_291927594205711_149707905094348_798392_262583535_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/394079_291927780872359_149707905094348_798394_537083257_n.jpg

[HX_Guy]

Was surprised to see a fence around the lot where the Arizona Cancer Center will be going up and some equipment already on the site. At first I thought it was a staging area for the Concord Eastridge project as it's directly acorss the street from that (east) but then saw a sign for it. For some reason I thought this was going to be somewhere further east and south.

http://nitnelav.com/dtcs7.jpg

http://nitnelav.com/dtcs8.jpg

[PHX31]

Wait, where is that? What are the cross streets?

[Vicelord John]

looked like fifth and garfield when I drove by this morning on the way to work

[HX_Guy]

Wait, where is that? What are the cross streets?

Block bound by 4th - 5th St and McKinley - Garfield.

[PHX31]

Does this project have a rendering available?

[Vicelord John]

google uncovered this in about 8 seconds, though it took me 6 minutes to respond to your post and give you an answer to your question.... you do the math.

http://azcc.arizona.edu/node/3735

http://azremagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/UA-Cancer-Center.jpg

[HX_Guy]

...and that's why I thought the location of the Cancer Center would be further south and east, that article says NW corner of Fillmore and 7th St. The location that the fence is around is way off that.

[Vicelord John]

Maybe the fenced off area is a staging area for the NWC of 7/fillmore. That corner is fenced off with the same fencing, FWIW, as is the NEC of 7/fillmore.

I also like the look of that building better than the weird one they built by TGEN.

[HX_Guy]

I think you're right, that has to be just a staging area. Found some additional information here, including an address...

http://www.pdc.arizona.edu/projects/Project.aspx?Project=10-9001

Intrestingly, the address at 625 N 6th St actually means the entrance will be at the corner of 6th St and Fillmore, meaning the back of the building will be facing 7th st. I figured in the above rendering that we were looking toward the NW (and the street in the foreground was 7th St) but it looks like we are actually looking toward the NE and the street in the forground is actually Fillmore.

[Vicelord John]

construction schedule june 2012-july 2014.... it all adds up.

I'm glad they are filling in the lots up and down 7th street. To be honest, even the Circle K will be nice because it will look clean and new for people. I think a lot of people's misconceptions about downtown have to do with the fact that most people get here by getting off I-10 on 7th Street and drive through all that blight. They are prettying up the entrance to the city in essence... I'm for all of this.

[N830MH]

construction schedule june 2012-july 2014.... it all adds up.

I'm glad they are filling in the lots up and down 7th street. To be honest, even the Circle K will be nice because it will look clean and new for people. I think a lot of people's misconceptions about downtown have to do with the fact that most people get here by getting off I-10 on 7th Street and drive through all that blight. They are prettying up the entrance to the city in essence... I'm for all of this.

This is where they will construction on northwest corner of E. Fillmore St/7th St, am I correct?

[Vicelord John]

This is where they will construction on northwest corner of E. Fillmore St/7th St, am I correct?

wut

[bwaynoh]

The Cancer Center is going on the NW corner of 7th St/Fillmore. That lot on 4th St and Garfield is shared staging for Concorde Eastridge, the Cancer Center, and I believe for the parking structure that will be going up on the SE corner of Fillmore/5th St. I believe the Cancer Center is still trying to raise funds before they break ground.

[Vicelord John]

parking structure??

[kaneui]

Reviewing the UofA Medical School projects, I came across a marketing brochure for the Phoenix Biomedical Research Center - a six story, 155k s.f. building that will be going up between the TGEN and ABC1 buildings (scheduled for completion in 2014):

http://www.phoenixofficegroup.com/pdf/PhoenixBiomedicalResearchCenter_4-2-12.pdf


The brochure also has an updated PBC site plan, showing where the $19M Vivarium is being built (the small green rectangle behind TGEN)--a 22k s.f. below-grade facility for medical research using animals (over 5,000 cages for rats and mice, etc.), opening in 2013.
http://taggs.hhs.gov/ReadinessTool/AwardDetail.cfm?s_AwardDetail=1C06RR030524-01&STATE_CODE=4&s_RecipID=0AAAAF1CE9020D00AADF9E87, http://www.pdc.arizona.edu/projects/Project.aspx?Project=10-8988


The site plan also shows a 1,250-stall parking garage at the SEC of Fillmore and 5th St., estimated to open in 2013.

[gymratmanaz]

cool looking building!

[MegaBass]

Has on the YMCA started yet? Revamped site has it listed to open Fall 2013. How about Post Office?

[nickw252]

http://i48.tinypic.com/1e5pvp.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/fkqk5l.jpg

[phxSUNSfan]

The UofA shouldn't have used so much copper. It looked somewhat nice when it was shiny but now it looks like a windowless jail from those angles; I'm sure the north facing side is better but the design team should have visited ASU's Biodesign Institute for some inspiration.

http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek07/0810/0810d_asu.cfm

[Vicelord John]

nickw52 were you walking around with a tripod the other day in that lot? If so, I saw your goofy lookin' hippy butt while you were taking the pictures.

[combusean]

Yecccch. The patina that has developed on this structure and the Criminal Court Tower have turned those buildings from something cutting-edge and strikingly cool to something drab and institutional. Combined with the off angles, that massive windowless expanse, and those shade structures and the Health Sciences building just looks like a miserable mishmash of bad ideas. All it needs now is an attached cow and pickup truck and some other detritus and the idea of walking into a tornado cloud would be complete.

Thanks for the photo, at least.

[Vicelord John]

I still think it is a very cool building.

I do think it's a bad design though, I mean getting around that thing must be a major pain in the ass!

[nickw252]

nickw52 were you walking around with a tripod the other day in that lot? If so, I saw your goofy lookin' hippy butt while you were taking the pictures.

Wasn't me. I took the pics in the lot on the east side of 7th but it was from my car window with my camera phone.

[HX_Guy]

ASU, YMCA in Phoenix partner on building
University pays $25 mil for addition to downtown facility

2 comments by Emily Gersema - Jul. 15, 2012 08:13 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com

The Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA in Phoenix is about to become a construction site.

Arizona State University is paying an estimated $25 million to build a 64,283-square-foot building addition to the recreation center that was built in 1955 and last renovated in 2006.

ASU officials say the five-story project will increase classroom space for the campus and improve the YMCA's fitness amenities. The new building will be connected to the current building, at First Avenue and Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix.


Construction is scheduled to begin this month.

Money for the project comes from student-facility fees. Each ASU student pays a $75 facility fee per semester that is spent on projects for student services, such as a student union and recreation centers.

An estimated 16,000 students take classes at the downtown campus -- some full time, some part time. About 2,500 of them are members of the downtown YMCA, officials said.

The YMCA also has another 2,500 members who aren't ASU employees or students. Many of them work downtown while others are residents in the area, said Greg Corns, senior executive director of the facility.

"It's what a downtown Y should be," Corns said. "It's a (convergence) of all these different cultures downtown -- student population, professional population and youth population."

As the plan for the public-private project was unfolding over the course of a year, some of the YMCA members who were not ASU students raised concerns that the ASU building addition would be exclusive to the university students, faculty and staff.

Patrick Panetta, associate director of ASU's real-estate development office, said for the most part, the new building addition will be open to all members.

However, "the classroom spaces -- those really won't be open to the public," Panetta said. "And there will be an outdoor pool on the fifth floor with locker rooms exclusively for ASU students."

The YMCA's current indoor pool and locker rooms will remain open to all members.

Because of the project, the YMCA is losing a small parking area next to the current building's south wall. Panetta said some temporary parking will be opened on the building's west side next to the YMCA's other parking lot.

Panetta said work on the project should wrap up by fall 2013.


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2012/07/13/20120713asu-ymca-phoenix-partner-building.html#ixzz20l3pwahe

[gymratmanaz]

great nws HX. I am in NYC this week, so nice to hear we have a begining to this cool project!!!!

[Classical in Phoenix]

Maricopa County nixes hospital-tax vote
Measure to upgrade facilities may find way onto ballot within 2 years
28 commentsby Michelle Ye Hee Lee - Jul. 20, 2012 10:44 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com
.

County health officials scuttled a plan to ask voters in November for a new tax to upgrade county health facilities, but the matter could go on the ballot within the next two years.

The board of directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System on Friday rejected the proposal by Betsey Bayless, MIHS president and chief executive, to put the measure on this year's general-election ballot. It would have asked voters to raise taxes for a $950 million bond issue to pay for a new county hospital and improvements to existing facilities.

Instead, the board decided to vote next month on whether to start a year-long public outreach and input process for a new county hospital, which also would serve as a clinical and academic research facility for the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix.

MIHS signed a deal with the college last October to become the school's primary training, teaching and research hospital.

Though Bayless felt that the timing was ideal to put a measure on this fall's ballot, most board members disagreed. While all concurred that a new hospital is needed, the majority felt that the measure was being rushed onto the ballot without getting extensive public input.

Next month's vote would direct staff to begin the public review process. Then, hospital-system officials plan to form a committee that would hold town halls or meetings across the county. The planning would be done with hopes to place the item on the 2013 or 2014 ballot, Bayless said.

Several top hospital officials supported Bayless' initial proposal, among them UA College of Medicine Dean Dr. Stuart Flynn and Dr. Kote Chundu. Chundu is president of MIHS' not-for-profit physician group and chief executive officer at the Maricopa Medical Center.

MIHS officials for years have discussed the need for a new hospital, and this fall was the right time to ask voters, Chundu told board members. He said it would be a worthwhile investment that would help improve county health, create new jobs and result in long-term savings for taxpayers.

"This November is not too soon," Chundu told the board. "From a strategic perspective, this has been talked about, and talked about, and talked about."

Maricopa Medical Center, MIHS' main facility near Roosevelt and 24th streets, is about 40 years old. MIHS is a publicly funded health system that provides a safety net for many of the county's poorest residents.

Dr. David Wisinger, chief of MIHS medical staff, told the board Friday that his staff is "painfully aware" MIHS is a "sorely underfunded" public health system, adding challenges to the effort to provide high-quality services to patients.

He said a new hospital and better facilities could help teach and retain more medical residents, helping overcome Arizona's physician shortage.

The last countywide special bond election was in 1998, when voters approved a county jail bond. In 2003, voters approved the creation of a county special health-care district, which is now MIHS.

The board began discussing the option of a November special bond election during private meetings in May, Bayless said.

Friday was the first public discussion by board members.

Bayless hoped for Friday approval, which would allow nearly four months to educate the public.

A year-long planning process will give hospital-system administrators a better idea of what the new hospital will be like, Bayless said.

Administrators will not begin detailed architectural design and planning until voter approval is in hand.



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/07/20/20120720maricopa-county-nixes-hospital-tax-vote.html#ixzz21UF62kTf

[Classical in Phoenix]

UA medical school in Phoenix a hub of growth
At UA medical school in Phoenix, new students and new buildings underscore promise for future
5 commentsby Ken Alltucker - Jul. 21, 2012 03:37 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com
.

With the arrival of 80 fresh-faced medical students for classes this week at University of Arizona's medical school in Phoenix, Arizona's grand experiment to create a medical and research hub in downtown Phoenix takes another step forward.

The 80 students represent the largest class since the UA College of Medicine established a downtown Phoenix campus five years ago. Those future doctors soon will share the newly opened health sciences education building with Northern Arizona University students who are studying to become physical therapists and physician assistants.

Beyond the new building, new programs and new students, the campus is scheduled to expand later this year with the groundbreakings of a 250,000-square-foot University of Arizona Cancer Center and a privately funded biotech lab next to the building anchored by the Translational Genomics Research Institute and International Genomics Consortium.

The downtown Phoenix campus also could receive renewed focus from the University of Arizona's new president, Ann Weaver Hart, and the Arizona Board of Regents' newly formed health committee.

Arizona leaders have high expectations that the Phoenix Biomedical Campus will sprout jobs, health-care professionals and medical discoveries that bolster Arizona's effort to grow its health-care and biotechnology sectors. And even though the biomedical campus has had challenges -- such as Arizona State University ending its partnership with UA's medical school and leadership changes -- university officials are optimistic about the biomedical campus' potential.

"It's important to show it is continuing forward progress," said Jay Heiler, who chairs the Arizona Board of Regents health committee. "It is critical not only for the universities. It is going to end up emerging as a very important piece of Arizona's economy."

Cancer-center plans
Although the medical-school campus has classroom and lab space, it does not have clinical space where practitioners and health-care students can hone their craft and treat patients. The Arizona Cancer Center is slated to become the campus' first clinical presence with a scheduled groundbreaking later this year.

St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center and the University of Arizona are still negotiating lease terms for the $135 million cancer center even though the Phoenix wanted such details to be completed by the end of June. Both parties insist that they are on track to meet the most important goal established by Phoenix: starting construction by Dec. 22.

Plans call for St. Joseph's Hospital to operate the cancer center's clinic, and 70 percent of the building's area will be devoted to clinical space. But the exact amount of space that St. Joseph's will require is subject to ongoing talks between the two groups, said Dr. David Alberts, director of the Arizona Cancer Center.

Alberts said development costs could end up being less than the estimated $135 million because construction and materials costs have dropped since the recession. The University of Arizona has pledged $85 million in bonds to fund the bulk of the project's development costs. Phoenix also has pledged $14 million. The University of Arizona Foundation expects to raise more than $30 million from private donors for the balance of funding.

"The first step is to get the lease signed and, at that point, we'll be in a much stronger position," said Alberts. "The financing of the building is dependent upon the lease agreement."

Suzanne Pfister, St. Joseph's vice president of external affairs, said the amount of space the Phoenix hospital will lease at the new cancer center "has not been determined yet."

Alberts and Pfister emphasized that as talks over lease terms continue, both groups are forging ahead on other aspects of the project such as branding, combining resources and reaching out to community cancer doctors who will be courted for the new center.

"The relationship with St. Joseph's has really been solidified," Alberts said. "We are already starting to hire key faculty and staff" for a smaller, temporary cancer clinic that has launched at the Phoenix hospital.

Seeking tenants
The other new building slated for the downtown Phoenix Biomedical Campus is one planned between the existing TGen and Arizona Biomedical Collaborative building on Fifth Street.

The Boyer Co., a Salt Lake City-based developer, is attempting to lease space to companies or other users for the planned six-story, 150,000-square-foot building. No leases have been announced for the building, but plans call for construction to start before the end of the year, according to Jeremy Legg, of Phoenix's economic development department.

Matt Jensen, Boyer's project manager for the biomedical campus, said that the company is negotiating with a handful of government and private-sector tenants for the building.

Boyer's development agreement with the city requires leases for 80 percent of the building prior to construction, but Jensen said lenders may be willing to fund the project if 50 to 60 percent of the building is leased.

Boyer also plans to develop a 1,250-space parking garage on the campus. The timing and finances of the parking garage may be tricky because Boyer needs to ensure enough workers from both the cancer center and the lab will fill the garage before it can start construction. And those users could be assessed a monthly fee of $60 to $90, or perhaps more, for parking at the garage.

Even with new lab workers paying for parking, it's unclear whether the finances will support construction of a new garage.

"It would help to have some city funding," said Jensen, adding that the critical mass of employees and students to the biomedical campus is crucial to making the finances of building a parking garage work.

"You are not going to be able to just build a speculative parking garage and hope it is paid for," he said.

Legg said that if the Boyer Co. is unable to fulfill terms of the agreement with Phoenix, the city could solicit other developers or pursue other projects.

"If they can't make it work, we would retain the land and find somebody else who can do a project that makes sense for the city," Legg said.

Medical-school campus
As the UA's medical-school campus expands in downtown Phoenix, it also is shaping an identity that is unique from the UA's main medical-school campus in Tucson. Just last month, the Phoenix campus received its own preliminary accreditation from the Association of American Medical Colleges. The Phoenix campus previously operated under the Tucson campus' accreditation.

Such a designation validates the Phoenix campus and gives its more autonomy in crafting its own curriculum, according to university leaders.

"It is maturing to a stage that some of us might not have expected so quickly," said Lyle Bootman, the university's interim vice president of health affairs.

Bootman said each campus has been designed with unique curricula and nuances in the academic programs. Tucson students, for example, train at the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, while Phoenix students train at different hospitals in the community, such as Banner Good Samaritan, Maricopa Medical Center and St. Joseph's.

The Phoenix students also are required to complete a scholarly project that has a community impact, such as studying obesity rates among Native Americans and Hispanics or pain management for cancer patients.

Bootman said he doesn't expect dramatic changes from the new Phoenix campus' accreditation, but he said "it does give them more autonomy and control over part of the curriculum."

While some Tucson faculty have expressed worries in the past that the Phoenix campus would divert the medical school's limited resources, Bootman said that each campus should build off its strengths. The Phoenix students may benefit from learning from scientists at Barrow Neurological Institute, Banner Alzheimer's Institute or TGen. Conversely, the Tucson students can learn from experts at the Sarver Heart Center or the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

Community leaders have paid close attention to the changes afoot at the downtown Phoenix campus.

Maricopa Integrated Health Systems CEO Betsey Bayless has long sought to build a new hospital at the downtown campus to replace the district's Maricopa Medical Center. On Friday, the district's board rejected a proposal to pursue a ballot initiative this fall that would ask voters to approve a $950 million bond issue for a new hospital and renovations to other facilities.

The board instead will vote next month whether to pursue a plan with public input with the goal of placing it on the November 2013 or November 2014 ballot.

"That is the board's decision," Bayless said last week before the district board's Friday vote. "It is my vision to establish a clinical presence on the University of Arizona's College of Medicine campus."

Arizona Board of Regents Chair Rick Myers said he expects UA's new president also will play a critical role in growing UA's presence on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus.

"She (Hart) absolutely wants to be aggressive, to build a competitive plan and do things that will make the (Phoenix Biomedical Campus) a resource for Arizona," Myers said.

Myers said he wants to see all three of the state's public universities to work together to make the state more competitive in obtaining federal grants and making new discoveries.

"I know there have been concerns in the past about who controls what," Myers said. "I really think that is behind us. With the new leadership, the intent is let's do what is best for (Arizona)."



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/20120719ua-medical-school-in-phoenix-a-hub-of-growth.html#ixzz21ULPlnPx

[HooverDam]

Ug, they want city funding for a parking garage? I really hope the City finally wises up and tells them to screw off. Tell them to park at the AZ Center garage, or on the street, or in the Garage Mahal or better yet, not at all. Take the LRT you dorks. We already have a surplus of parking spaces Downtown, we don't need to make things worse.

[phxSUNSfan]

Ug, they want city funding for a parking garage? I really hope the City finally wises up and tells them to screw off. Tell them to park at the AZ Center garage, or on the street, or in the Garage Mahal or better yet, not at all. Take the LRT you dorks. We already have a surplus of parking spaces Downtown, we don't need to make things worse.

That is ridiculous. I have a feeling the City will help them finance a garage. Hope I am wrong but without a real effort to create more housing in downtown and along light rail for future workers, employers are going to argue that they need parking. It is too bad that the Concorde Eastridge project is the only new, dense and large housing being built in downtown at the moment.

[Arquitect]

Ug, they want city funding for a parking garage? I really hope the City finally wises up and tells them to screw off. Tell them to park at the AZ Center garage, or on the street, or in the Garage Mahal or better yet, not at all. Take the LRT you dorks. We already have a surplus of parking spaces Downtown, we don't need to make things worse.

I agree that there are too many parking spaces in our downtown. But unfortunately, Phoenix is still ruled by the car. I would much rather see parking structures than surface parking. And hopefuly, the construction of these parking structures begin to get rid of all the large surface lots that plague our downtown.

That being said, I think that if the city is helping to develop these structures, they should be held to higher standards. No all parking structures have to be as ugly as the ones we have. A great example of a good looking parking structure is 1111 Lincoln road in Miami Beach. It incorporates mix-use elements into parking, and is actualy very well designed.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhsULix2kzT2SDFh8oVl_MYHwRlIOrAuogb37Rs1bHn3EPrtxCpj79Nigz

The city, and us, should demand better design for parking structures that are asking for city funding.

[ASUSunDevil]

I agree that there are too many parking spaces in our downtown. But unfortunately, Phoenix is still ruled by the car. I would much rather see parking structures than surface parking. And hopefuly, the construction of these parking structures begin to get rid of all the large surface lots that plague our downtown.

That being said, I think that if the city is helping to develop these structures, they should be held to higher standards. No all parking structures have to be as ugly as the ones we have. A great example of a good looking parking structure is 1111 Lincoln road in Miami Beach. It incorporates mix-use elements into parking, and is actualy very well designed.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhsULix2kzT2SDFh8oVl_MYHwRlIOrAuogb37Rs1bHn3EPrtxCpj79Nigz

The city, and us, should demand better design for parking structures that are asking for city funding.

Could not agree more. If Phoenix commissioned Architekton or Jones Studio, I'm sure either could come up with something pretty spectacular.

[HooverDam]

I agree, I'd like to see more garages like this one in Miami:

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg259/scaled.php?server=259&filename=05026.jpg&res=landing

Not only does it have street facing retail but its quite literally green. It looks beautiful and also likely contributes less to the urban heat island. PHX could easily do something similar and we could do a more unique twist on the same idea where its covered in cacti & succulents. The garage over by the Science Center/Rosson House is kinda done in that way.

[exit2lef]

I agree that there are too many parking spaces in our downtown. But unfortunately, Phoenix is still ruled by the car. I would much rather see parking structures than surface parking. And hopefuly, the construction of these parking structures begin to get rid of all the large surface lots that plague our downtown.


Unfortunately, the cliche that Phoenix is ruled by the car is used too often as an excuse for bad decisions. I agree with Hoover that Phoenix should take a stand and refuse to subsidize any more parking Downtown. While there are advantages to garages over surface lots, the best option is parallel parking on the street. Parallel parking doesn't present blank walls for entire blocks and offers a buffer between pedestrians and the street. In addition, if people park a few blocks from their destination and walk the rest of the way, they're more likely to discover and support businesses along the way. An nicely designed parking garage might be okay, but only if a rigorous analysis shows that the new construction will create a severe parking shortage. Otherwise, existing parking should be enough, along with nearby bike lanes, bus routes, and light rail.

[DevilsRider]

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5461/ymcafencing.jpg

Took this picture with my camera phone. Looks like the fencing is going up around the parking lot adjacent to the Y...finally getting under way?

[gymratmanaz]

I read in a Republic article it would start this month!

[KevininPhx]

I agree, I'd like to see more garages like this one in Miami:

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg259/scaled.php?server=259&filename=05026.jpg&res=landing

Not only does it have street facing retail but its quite literally green. It looks beautiful and also likely contributes less to the urban heat island. PHX could easily do something similar and we could do a more unique twist on the same idea where its covered in cacti & succulents. The garage over by the Science Center/Rosson House is kinda done in that way.

that's ghastly.

[Vicelord John]

that's ghastly.

You're wrong.

[MegaBass]

I read in a Republic article it would start this month!

ASU, YMCA in Phoenix partner on building (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2012/07/13/20120713asu-ymca-phoenix-partner-building.html)
The Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA in Phoenix is about to become a construction site.

Arizona State University is paying an estimated $25 million to build a 64,283-square-foot building addition to the recreation center that was built in 1955 and last renovated in 2006.

ASU officials say the five-story project will increase classroom space for the campus and improve the YMCA's fitness amenities. The new building will be connected to the current building, at First Avenue and Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix.

Construction is scheduled to begin this month.

Money for the project comes from student-facility fees. Each ASU student pays a $75 facility fee per semester that is spent on projects for student services, such as a student union and recreation centers.

An estimated 16,000 students take classes at the downtown campus -- some full time, some part time. About 2,500 of them are members of the downtown YMCA, officials said.

The YMCA also has another 2,500 members who aren't ASU employees or students. Many of them work downtown while others are residents in the area, said Greg Corns, senior executive director of the facility.

"It's what a downtown Y should be," Corns said. "It's a (convergence) of all these different cultures downtown -- student population, professional population and youth population."

As the plan for the public-private project was unfolding over the course of a year, some of the YMCA members who were not ASU students raised concerns that the ASU building addition would be exclusive to the university students, faculty and staff.

Patrick Panetta, associate director of ASU's real-estate development office, said for the most part, the new building addition will be open to all members.

However, "the classroom spaces -- those really won't be open to the public," Panetta said. "And there will be an outdoor pool on the fifth floor with locker rooms exclusively for ASU students."

The YMCA's current indoor pool and locker rooms will remain open to all members.

Because of the project, the YMCA is losing a small parking area next to the current building's south wall. Panetta said some temporary parking will be opened on the building's west side next to the YMCA's other parking lot.

Panetta said work on the project should wrap up by fall 2013.

[KEVINphx]

that's ghastly.

THIS Kevin disagrees. At first I thought to myself; when the hell did I make that comment!?!

[Vicelord John]

THIS Kevin disagrees. At first I thought to myself; when the hell did I make that comment!?!

you should change your name so as to disassociate with the ninny'ism.

[gymratmanaz]

Digging has begun for the new Rec Center!!!

[phxSUNSfan]

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5461/ymcafencing.jpg

Took this picture with my camera phone. Looks like the fencing is going up around the parking lot adjacent to the Y...finally getting under way?

For some reason, I envisioned the SRC taking up the entire parking lot. It's too bad that the tiny lot is staying.

[combusean]

^ The remaining lot is a great location for a sliver building, or even some sort of 2 - 3 story smaller infill.

[MegaBass]

Y@ASU Groundbreaking (http://outreach.asu.edu/events/rsvp/y-at-asu-groundbreaking)

Friday, August 24th, 2012
Time - 8:30 a.m.
Location - Phoenix Civic Space Park - 425 N. Central

[nickw252]

Student initiative took a whole new form today as the downtown Phoenix community celebrated the groundbreaking of “The Y at ASU.”

After years of pushing for a new campus recreation center, ASU students can finally expect the 64,000 square foot facility to be open by fall of 2013. The $25 million project will include an outdoor track, a weight room, a large gymnasium, and a rooftop pool designated for students only.

Arizona State President Michael Crow said this project allows the downtown Phoenix campus to “continue its evolution.”

“This project is a maturation of the university and of the downtown campus as it becomes a place to learn and a place to live,” Crow said. “It’s an indication of students making investments, as well as student engagement in the university.”

Because the project is student fee funded, Crow added that this building represents the responsibility students have taken to develop a more synergistic college environment for themselves in downtown Phoenix.

“We wanted this kind of living and learning environment on every campus, and adding a recreational building will help establish that for the Phoenix campus,” Crow said.

George Scobas, President and CEO of the Valley of the Sun YMCA, said the partnership between ASU and the YMCA has allowed a vision to turn into something real as the campus becomes an asset to the urban community.

“Over the past six years or so, there has been tremendous growth in this community,” Scobas added. “I think that in years to come, the [Lincoln Family Downtown] YMCA could be the center of the entire downtown campus.”

Scobas also said the culmination of Phoenix residents, the business community and ASU students makes the city unique and helps projects like this advance quickly due to a strong push from all community groups.

“This project rejuvenates downtown, and it’s great that we were all able to pull this together,” he said.

Deputy City Manager Rick Naimark said this project will do much more than just add another recreational building to the campus. He said it will “bring the student body together in a whole new way.”

“This is a continued effort to solidify, strengthen and add to the vibrancy of the downtown campus,” Naimark added. “It’s all without city money, which shows student initiative to improve their university and community.”

Kari Osep, a sophomore at ASU, said she appreciates the different vibe of the downtown campus compared to the Tempe campus, and she is excited to see how the new project will add to the personality of downtown.

“It’s really cool to see the impact ASU has had on this area, and a building like this was definitely missing from our campus,” Osep said.

Osep also said she is impressed with how downtown students are helping to unite the Phoenix community while improving the city and university.

“It’s good to see that students aren’t just here to go to school,” Osep added. “They are here motivating the community to expand and become something bigger and better.”

http://downtownphoenixjournal.com/2012/08/24/ymca-and-asu-break-ground-on-recreation-facility/

[MegaBass]

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/600722_375410815857388_1999841894_n.jpg

Photos of the Downtown Post Office Project (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.375410689190734.87534.149707905094348&type=1)

[nickw252]

A $25 million recreation center expansion funded by student fees advances a collaboration with Arizona State University that has helped rejuvenate downtown, Mayor Greg Stanton said Friday.

"This friendship, this partnership between this great city and this university, is going to continue and go nowhere but up," Stanton said at a groundbreaking ceremony for the five-story building.

The facility will rise alongside the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA, which has served as the recreation center for ASU's Downtown Phoenix Campus. At 62,700 square feet, it will feature a gymnasium, weight room, indoor track, student lounge, bike co-op and rooftop pool along with classroom space.


Certain features, including the classrooms and pool, will be limited to ASU students when the building opens in fall 2013. The new center will connect to the YMCA building on the first floor.

The expansion is funded entirely by a $75-per-semester fee that ASU's student government endorsed to improve recreational facilities on all campuses.

"Students are taking increasingly more ownership, wanting ASU to be improved," ASU President Michael Crow said.

Leah Novak, a master's student majoring in recreation and tourism, said having a pool in particular will make the recreation center more appealing.

"I think it is going to be awesome," she said.

Phoenix voters cleared the way for the downtown campus by approving a $223 million bond in 2006. With the College of Nursing & Health Innovation, College of Public Programs, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication among the units offering courses, the campus had nearly 10,000 students during the 2011-12 school year.

Stanton has said he is committed to helping ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law move downtown. On Friday, Crow called the move "probable" and said a decision would come soon.

George Scobas, president and CEO of the Valley of the Sun YMCA, said the downtown campus has helped bring residents and businesses that have revitalized downtown.

AZC (http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20120824mayor-asu-partnership-boosts-downtown-phoenix.html#ixzz24idinRmv)

Having the law school downtown would be a great boost to downtown. It would bring a few hundred more older students downtown along with a new building.

[nickw252]

Arizona State University will enroll its largest number of students this fall at its downtown Phoenix campus. And while some area businesses are excited at the potential for new business, some residents say they would like to see more community engagement from those connected to the campus.

Nearly 10,000 students enrolled at ASU's downtown Phoenix campus this fall compared with 9,367 students last fall. The campus has grown each year since opening with 3,059 students in 2006.

Because enrollment numbers change daily with new students signing on and others withdrawing, campus officials said official enrollment numbers won't be available for weeks.


Chris Callahan, vice provost of the downtown campus, said he is amazed at how fast the campus has grown in such a short time.

"It's remarkable. I'm looking out my window at a campus that didn't exist six years ago," he said.

Downtown enrollment could have been larger if so many people weren't still impacted by the economy, said Patrick Panetta, associate director of ASU's real-estate development office.

"I think we were actually expecting a larger bump last year, but I think the economy put a damper on the enrollment a little bit. Folks chose not to go back to school and spend the money," he said. "I think with the economy recovering a little better, we're going to see sort of a return to the previous growth trajectory we've been on."

ASU plans to expand its downtown presence even more by bringing another college to the campus and increasing its relationship with the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, the downtown Phoenix campus that includes the University of Arizona College of Medicine and programs from Northern Arizona University.

Plans for growth

Enrollment at the youngest ASU campus already is higher than both the West Campus and the Polytechnic Campus.

The campus is home to the College of Nursing and Health Innovation; the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication; the College of Public Programs and the College of Health Solutions. The campus also has programs from the School of Letters and Sciences, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Barrett, the Honors College, University College and Graduate College.

ASU is converting the U.S. Post Office at 522 N. Central Ave. into a student union. Phoenix purchased the building and leases it to the university. The post office will still operate in the building, but in a much smaller space, Panetta said. It will be open in time for the spring semester.

"We don't really have (a student union). It gives students sort of a central home. Student organizations will be headquartered there," Panetta said.

ASU is expanding the downtown Phoenix YMCA as well. The project will add 75,000 square feet to the existing YMCA. The renovation will be completed before the fall 2013 semester. Both students and community members will share the newly renovated spaces, but some areas, such as classroom space, will be reserved for ASU students.

"Both facilities will be essentially treated as one, so (students and YMCA members) have access to both buildings. There are only a couple of exclusive areas in the new building," Panetta said.

University officials hope to bring the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law to Phoenix from the Tempe campus in the next several years.

"I don't believe there's a specific timetable for it other than it's a high priority for President (Michael) Crow -- having a world-class law school in the middle of a major metropolitan area," Callahan said.

Impact on business

Many downtown Phoenix businesses had hoped to see significant bumps in customers with the infusion of students, but some have fared better than others.

"The food and things have done really well. Some of the direct services are doing well. The apartments are doing very well, but not every business has seen the same level of increase in business as a result of ASU," said David Roderique, president and CEO of Downtown Phoenix Partnership. "There are some service providers like dentists or doctors that may not have seen that same level of pickup that fast-food restaurants have seen."

The partnership is a tax-funded non-profit comprising business members with offices downtown.

Roderique said the campus' financial impact in the area goes beyond the students.

"In addition to the student population, the piece that's often overlooked is that you have a significant amount of faculty and staff down there as well," he said.

Some downtown businesses have struggled to partner with the university, particularly with the Sun Card, a university-issued student-identification card often used to make off-campus purchases.

"It's not widely accepted around local businesses, and one of the reasons is that there are a lot of fees that are placed on the Sun Card," Roderique said. "I don't know if they are working on trying to resolve that or not, but we've brought that to their attention."

Community engagement

In its infant stages, the downtown Phoenix campus boasted that students would serve the community and build relationships with residents. Callahan said campus officials are still working on ways to get students off the campus to volunteer with schools and community organizations and take advantage of the arts and cultural opportunities that a major downtown has to offer.

"What we've been focusing on a lot is how we can even better connect our students with the downtown Phoenix community," he said.

But some community members think ASU officials need to work harder. Steve Weiss is a founding member of the Downtown Voices Coalition, a community group focused on growth and development in downtown Phoenix. Weiss said ASU's commitment to reach out to the community has wavered over the years.

"During and right after the (2006) bond election, the attitude of the campus changed from community engagement and outreach to 'if you want to come to us, we're here,'" said Weiss, an ASU alumnus. "We're having a hard time trying to figure out how to get our students out of the gated community that is ASU downtown."

Weiss acknowledges some local business owners have benefited from ASU's downtown presence.

"I don't want to present it as completely negative, because there are some people that have benefited from their ability to outreach to the campus, but it's not the reverse," he said.

Callahan said most of the people are pleased with ASU's engagement.

"I would like to think that it has added to the richness of it. That's certainly the feedback I get when I talk to people in the community -- that ASU students being part of the fabric of the community," he said.

ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus enrollment

2006: 3,059.

2007: 3,113.

2008: 4,451.

2009: 6,655.

2010: 7,783.

2011: 9,367.

Source: ASU Office of Institutional Analysis.

AZC (http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20120820asu-downtown-campus.html#ixzz24ih77sc1)

[nickw252]

If the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA basketball court could talk, it would ask for one more day of games.

In between the pickup matchups it's so used to hosting, the 60-year-old court would use whatever breath it had left to tell stories of competition, diversity, passion and friendship.

The players who knew the court best told the stories for it on its last day of games on Monday.


"I'm old school, so I'm kind of sad to see it go," said Douglas Towne, 53.

The court, which served as host to numerous pickup, league, intramural and youth games since 1952, was closed today as renovations began. Funded by the Phoenix Thunderbirds, a brand new court will be installed along with new baskets, hoops and scoreboards by October.

"This floor has a lot of historical value," said Greg Corns, senior executive director of the Downtown YMCA.

The YMCA's recent partnership with Arizona State University inspired the renovation project. A recreation-center expansion, which will feature amenities for both ASU students and YMCA members, will rise in 2013 alongside the original YMCA building.

Monday's final pickup games displayed the original basketball court's ability to bring together players of all ages, backgrounds and talent levels.

Dennis Rowland, a member of the court's "old guard," has played games at the YMCA against lawyers, doctors, politicians and former athletes since 1988.

Rowland knew firsthand that the players who showed up on a regular basis were the ones who got the most out of the games.

"Friendships here have lasted longer than some of our games," Rowland said.

Millard Connor, known as "M.C.," used to skip his lunch break three days a week to leave work early and get to the court before the first game's teams were selected.

The court was a place of diversity as much as it was a place where Connor, 57, learned not to judge a book by its cover because that book could have a wicked jump shot.

According to Rowland and Connor, it was even common to spot NBA players, such as former Phoenix Suns Dan Majerle, Amar'e Stoudemire, Rudy White, Steve Colter and B.B. Fontenet, playing and practicing on the court.

The court's only breach of the players' trust is its "dead spots." Because the court was built on a sand base, the sand's displacement over time created spots along the court where a basketball dribble dies.

Even that was overcome by the players, who knew exactly where the spots were and avoid them.

One of the great matchups the basketball court hosted over the years was between employees of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Arizona Public Service Co., said Towne, an ADEQ employee.

"When we were younger, it was all about winning," Towne said. "Our litmus test for winning has changed. Now, it's 'Yes, I got off the court in one piece.' "

Travis Turner, 25, played on the court during his time as an ASU student. His desire to stay healthy while having fun and improving his basketball game has him still making the trip downtown after work during the three years since he graduated.

"It's pretty devastating to me," Turner said. "It's more than just a gym to me."

The YMCA plans to make coasters and frames out of the hardwood floor when it is cut up.

Proceeds from sales of the floor memorabilia will go to its Strong Kids and Families campaign, which provides scholarships to those who can't afford memberships.

"When it reopens, I'll be one of the first back on the court," Turner said.


AZC (http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20120831phoenix-ymca-basketball-court-players-reminisce-remodeled.html#ixzz25Vc2zVHI)

[nickw252]

Arizona State University enrolled its largest number of students this fall at its downtown Phoenix campus. And although some area businesses are excited at the potential for new business, some residents say they would like to see more community engagement from those connected to the campus.

Nearly 10,000 students enrolled at ASU's downtown Phoenix campus this fall compared with 9,367 students last fall. The campus has grown each year since opening with 3,059 students in 2006.

Because enrollment numbers change daily with new students signing on and others withdrawing, campus officials said official enrollment numbers won't be available for weeks.

Chris Callahan, vice provost of the downtown campus, said he is amazed at how fast the campus has grown in such a short time.

"It's remarkable," he said. "I'm looking out my window at a campus that didn't exist six years ago."

Downtown enrollment could have been larger if so many people weren't still affected by the economy, said Patrick Panetta, associate director of ASU's Real Estate Development Office.

" We were actually expecting a larger bump last year, but I think the economy put a damper on the enrollment a little bit. Folks chose not to go back to school and spend the money," he said. "I think with the economy recovering a little better, we're going to see sort of a return to the previous growth trajectory we've been on."

ASU plans to expand its downtown presence more by bringing another college to the campus and increasing its relationship with the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, the downtown Phoenix campus that includes the University of Arizona College of Medicine and programs from Northern Arizona University.

Enrollment at the youngest ASU campus already is higher than both the West and Polytechnic campuses.

ASU is converting the U.S. post office at 522 N. Central Ave. into a student union. Phoenix purchased the building and leases it to the university.

ASU is expanding the downtown Phoenix YMCA, as well. The project will add 75,000 square feet to the existing YMCA. The renovation will be completed before the fall 2013 semester.

Arizona State University enrolled its largest number of students this fall at its downtown Phoenix campus. And although some area businesses are excited at the potential for new business, some residents say they would like to see more community engagement from those connected to the campus.

Nearly 10,000 students enrolled at ASU's downtown Phoenix campus this fall compared with 9,367 students last fall. The campus has grown each year since opening with 3,059 students in 2006.

Because enrollment numbers change daily with new students signing on and others withdrawing, campus officials said official enrollment numbers won't be available for weeks.


Chris Callahan, vice provost of the downtown campus, said he is amazed at how fast the campus has grown in such a short time.

"It's remarkable," he said. "I'm looking out my window at a campus that didn't exist six years ago."

Downtown enrollment could have been larger if so many people weren't still affected by the economy, said Patrick Panetta, associate director of ASU's Real Estate Development Office.

" We were actually expecting a larger bump last year, but I think the economy put a damper on the enrollment a little bit. Folks chose not to go back to school and spend the money," he said. "I think with the economy recovering a little better, we're going to see sort of a return to the previous growth trajectory we've been on."

ASU plans to expand its downtown presence more by bringing another college to the campus and increasing its relationship with the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, the downtown Phoenix campus that includes the University of Arizona College of Medicine and programs from Northern Arizona University.

Enrollment at the youngest ASU campus already is higher than both the West and Polytechnic campuses.

ASU is converting the U.S. post office at 522 N. Central Ave. into a student union. Phoenix purchased the building and leases it to the university.

ASU is expanding the downtown Phoenix YMCA, as well. The project will add 75,000 square feet to the existing YMCA. The renovation will be completed before the fall 2013 semester.

Both students and community members will share the newly renovated spaces, but some areas, such as classroom space, will be reserved for ASU students.

"Both facilities will be essentially treated as one, so (students and YMCA members) have access to both buildings. There are only a couple of exclusive areas in the new building," Panetta said.

University officials hope to bring the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law to Phoenix from the Tempe campus in the next several years.

"I don't believe there's a specific timetable for it other than it's a high priority for President (Michael) Crow -- having a world-class law school in the middle of a major metropolitan area," Callahan said.

Many downtown Phoenix businesses had hoped to see significant bumps in customers with the infusion of students, but some have fared better than others.

"The food and things have done really well. Some of the direct services are doing well. The apartments are doing very well, but not every business has seen the same level of increase in business ," said David Roderique, president and CEO of Downtown Phoenix Partnership, a tax-funded non-profit . "There are some service providers like dentists or doctors that may not have seen that same level of pickup ."

Some downtown businesses have struggled to partner with the university, particularly with the Sun Card, a university-issued student-identification card often used to make off-campus purchases.

"It's not widely accepted around local businesses, and one of the reasons is that there are a lot of fees that are placed on the Sun Card," Roderique said. "We've brought that to their attention."

In its infant stages, the downtown campus boasted that students would serve the community and build relationships with residents.

Callahan said campus officials are still working on ways to get students off the campus to volunteer and take advantage of arts and cultural opportunities.

"What we've been focusing on a lot is how we can even better connect our students with the downtown Phoenix community," he said.

But some community members think ASU officials need to work harder. Steve Weiss, founding member of the Downtown Voices Coalition, said ASU's commitment to reach out to the community has wavered over the years.

"During and right after the (2006) bond election, the attitude of the campus changed from community engagement and outreach to 'If you want to come to us, we're here,'" said Weiss, an ASU alumnus. "We're having a hard time trying to figure out how to get our students out of the gated community that is ASU downtown."

Weiss acknowledged that some local business owners have benefited from ASU's downtown presence.

Callahan said most of the people are pleased with ASU's engagement.


AZC (http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20120917asu-downtown-enrollment-record.html)

I'm really hoping the law school comes downtown and they put it on the new parking lot by the Sheraton that ASU apparently owns. The last thing Phoenix needs is another parking lot.

[nickw252]

http://i46.tinypic.com/2zf90eq.jpg

[HX_Guy]

Wow nice, looks like they are moving pretty quick...now if we can get something on the block directly south and the block north of the YMCA, hopefully with some variety, some retail, restaurants etc.

[HooverDam]

Wow nice, looks like they are moving pretty quick...now if we can get something on the block directly south and the block north of the YMCA, hopefully with some variety, some retail, restaurants etc.

The more I think about it, the more I think a Senior Center to the South of the Rec. Center would be great. It would make the whole area a multi generation center, there really aren't any Senior Centers in the Central PHX area. With the Westward Ho & the new Senior housing coming in Downtown, it seems like it would serve a need.

[nickw252]

Any type of residential would be ideal (better than surface parking). It's right by the transit center, a park, the YMCA, and the university. Speaking of residential in that area, has anyone heard anything new about the announced mixed-use development at 1st ave and Roosevelt?

[Jjs5056]

Yes, a nice residential development to the north would be a great addition; seems an obvious choice given the amenities- across from Civic Space and Central Station, next to the YMCA, easy access to ASU and employment centers, and smack in the middle of two entertainment clusters (the bars on Central and Fillmore and CityScape/Washington nightclubs).

Beyond that, though, dense residential so close to the park would really help keep that space occupied, leading to a less ratio of homeless people, more motivation to keep up in maintenance, and perhaps a need for more programming and events.

An 8-story structure above a Trader Joe's (picturing this exact kind of building in Capitol Hill, Seattle) would be fantastic and much more human-scale than the other monstrosities taking over the northwest, Alta and Roosevelt Point, both fine examples that the height of a building has little to do with fitting into an area. in other words, those low-rises are far less enaging from a pedestrian perspective than taller structures such as 44 Monroe.

Meanwhile, a 5-6 senior living project above a senior center is a fabulous proposal for that remaining YMCA. One fear I have of that area is that it will become far too ASU-centric and create a campus rather than allow more of an integration into the urban fabric. What better way to mix up the demographics than by getting some older folks right next door to the rec center?

Throw in a Jet-like project to the west, and we may finally have enough dnese residential to support some more practical retail, like furniture boutiques, hardware stores and so on. Any chance that project could come back from the dead? I'm surprised at how little we have gotten in the way of apartments given the demand in central Phoenix, as reported by several sources throughout he last year or so. Then gain, we had a hotel shortage for quite sometime, and have yet to get anything aside from the Palomar.

[N830MH]

Wow nice, looks like they are moving pretty quick...now if we can get something on the block directly south and the block north of the YMCA, hopefully with some variety, some retail, restaurants etc.

Yeah, I think it's excellent idea. They will working on it. If they build it.

[AJphx]

AZC (http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20120917asu-downtown-enrollment-record.html)

I'm really hoping the law school comes downtown and they put it on the new parking lot by the Sheraton that ASU apparently owns. The last thing Phoenix needs is another parking lot.
Well the law school is the reason that specific lot was purchased. (If that is the lot that had a low rise ramada inn or something on it before, and still does on google maps).

[HX_Guy]

ASU seeks regents funding for law school's move to Phoenix

5 comments by Anne Ryman - Sept. 26, 2012 11:07 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com

As Arizona State University considers moving its law school from Tempe to downtown Phoenix, ASU officials say that for the plan to be financially feasible they would have to significantly increase law-school enrollment, raise tuition, enhance quality and launch a series of master's-degree programs.

ASU President Michael Crow said officials are weighing whether a new, downtown Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law would make financial sense. Crow said the university will move forward only if officials have a "high confidence" the project will succeed. "Otherwise, we're not going to do it," Crow said Wednesday.

As ASU contemplates raising law-school enrollment, many schools are moving in the opposite direction, shrinking incoming classes as the economy has made it difficult for law-school graduates to get jobs and repay student loans.


As a planning step, ASU officials today will ask the Arizona Board of Regents to approve a three-year capital-improvement plan that includes $129 million toward construction of a 294,000-square-foot law school in downtown Phoenix. The complex would be built on a parking lot that formerly was the site of a Ramada Inn, at Taylor and First streets.

"This is essentially one step in a multistep review-and-approval process," said Lorenzo Martinez, the regents' associate vice president for finance and administration.

No timetable has been set, although the plan presented to regents outlines five proposed ASU projects for fiscal 2014, including the law school. Other projects include renovating Hayden Library, upgrading labs and other improvements.

Even if the regents OK the plan, university officials could decide to postpone or cancel the project. Once construction began on the law school, it would likely take 30 months to complete, said Rich Stanley, ASU senior vice president and university planner. The move would put the law school in the heart of the legal community, because federal and county courts and many big law firms are downtown.

"There are a lot of benefits to our students being nearer that action," Stanley said.

In documents being presented to regents, ASU said the goal is to increase law-school enrollment and degrees by 50 percent. The Tempe campus cannot accommodate that growth, the report says. The law school's current enrollment is between 650 and 700 students and its space on the Tempe campus is about 165,000 square feet.

Proposed plans for the school include classrooms, an auditorium, offices, a 230-space parking structure, a law library and retail space. ASU also wants to host more continuing-education programs for attorneys.

In an e-mail to The Arizona Republic, law-school Dean Douglas Sylvester said the college has "no current plans to grow our J.D. (Juris Doctor) class beyond its historical size and beyond the capacity of the college to continue to find productive employment for all of our graduates."

In recent years, ASU's law school has raised its national profile, climbing in annual college rankings such as U.S. News & World Report. A few years ago, the school was in the 55th spot among law schools nationwide. The most recent list ranks ASU 26th, which is 14 spots higher than the previous year. Among public law schools, ASU is ranked eighth in the annual survey.

ASU also is moving to make the law school financially self-sufficient so that it doesn't rely on state funding, a shift that has led to higher tuition. The idea is that state money previously spent on the law school will go to other university programs.

A handful of business and law schools at other public universities have already gone this route. The move has been controversial at ASU, with some students complaining about tuition costs rising each year.

Law-school tuition and fees run $26,267 annually for Arizona residents. Factor in room and board, books and other expenses and the annual cost rises to $47,655, according to ASU. Many students take out loans to help them pay for school, and student-loan debts have risen. The average student-loan debt upon graduation from ASU's law school is $103,436, according to the university.

The university's plan would be to use some of the tuition proceeds, along with private donations, to pay for construction of the new law school.

If ASU's law school moves downtown, it would be the latest in a growing list of academic programs that have relocated since the Phoenix campus opened in 2006. Nearly 10,000 students are enrolled in the downtown campus this fall, up from 3,000 the first year. Among the programs there are journalism and nursing.

The possible move by the law school has been talked about for nearly a decade. In 2003, an ASU committee planning the school's future recommended it. In 2007, then-Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon asked the university to relocate the law school to downtown Phoenix as one of several downtown-revitalization initiatives. In 2009, there was talk of going to Phoenix voters with a bond proposal to help fund construction of the law school. The proposal didn't move forward because of the continuing economic malaise. The economy also complicated ASU's plans to raise some of the money for construction through private donations or partnerships.



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20120927asu-seeks-regents-funding-law-schools-move-phoenix.html?nclick_check=1#ixzz27gh3puGz

[nickw252]

From the parking lot looking north:

http://i46.tinypic.com/o0cyg9.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/2ez3arc.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/2mmwa4o.jpg

[ASUSunDevil]

http://i46.tinypic.com/2zf90eq.jpg

The Y addition is going to be great, but is there any hope for the dirt lots to the West? Dirt/concrete lots like this kill Downtown due to their unmotivated landowners. Just wondering if there was hope for these ones being that they (like many others Downtown) are in such a potentially great location.

[HooverDam]

The Y addition is going to be great, but is there any hope for the dirt lots to the West? Dirt/concrete lots like this kill Downtown due to their unmotivated landowners. Just wondering if there was hope for these ones being that they (like many others Downtown) are in such a potentially great location.

I seem to recall at least one of those lots over on 2nd Ave is an ASU parking lot. Not sure if they're just leasing it, or if they own it. If they own it, perhaps there's some glimmer of hope something will be built on it as they continue to expand.