General Phoenix Metro Discussion Thread

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by dtnphx

Guys, who cares? Why feel bad about the fact that others are not noticing our tremendous growth downtown? Fuck 'em. You have to admit its been cool as hell seeing all this development, density, housing, retail and people flooding to downtown. It's been phenomenal. It has hit that proverbial tipping point several years ago and now all kinds of projects will be needed. It's an exciting time for us and we shouldn't diminish it. At some point, some one will "discover" how cool it's become and tell us of their new find. We'll already be in on it.

I care.

[Mr.RE]

Cool Article today on Apartments Economic impact in Phoenix

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/...627&j=86552251


Arizona's apartment industry generates $3.8 billion in economic output each year at a time when 37 percent of Arizona residents live in rental housing, according to a new study.

The Arizona Apartment Analysis, conducted for the Arizona Multihousing Association by Elliott D. Pollack & Co., found the apartment industry generates 22,000 jobs totaling $699 million in wages.

Since 2012, the number of apartment building permits has grown steadily, with more than 10,000 units permitted in 2016 and in 2017. According to the study, 2018 appears to be on track for similar results.

Rents are increasing, averaging $938 per month for all apartment sizes during the second quarter of 2018 in metro Phoenix, up from $908 during Q4 2017.

These rising rents come as 32 percent of renter households in Arizona earn less than $25,000 a year, creating a need for more affordable housing. About 32 percent of households in Arizona pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing expenses.

However, Courtney LeVinus, president and CEO of the Arizona Multihousing Association, said new project construction appears focused on the high end of the market.

"There is a need and strong demand for reasonably priced housing in all forms that are close to employment centers and transportation," Levinus said in a statement.

[Sunsfan87]

https://azbigmedia.com/2019-forecast-and-how-it-affects-the-future-of-commercial-real-estate/


Probably nothing we didn’t already know but still a good overview.

[muertecaza]

Couple articles on the Phoenix metro office market:

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/...ch-5-year.html

https://www.globest.com/2019/02/15/i...office-market/

First one, among other things, notes that 80% of new office construction has been in Tempe and Chandler. That's probably skewed somewhat by the big projects in those cities, but still, the number somewhat surprised me.

The second article says that the Airport sub-market is benefiting from being a spillover market from Tempe, which I view as a good sign all around.

[combusean]

Thrillist just gave Downtown the best review ever practically.

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nat...worth-visiting

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by combusean

Thrillist just gave Downtown the best review ever practically.

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nat...worth-visiting

Not bad, really. It's funny how someone who comes here for a few days sees what they want or has a narrative in their mind like no one leaving their resorts and heading to Scottsdale for a taco. That must have sounded so cool to the hipster writer. But, not too bad a job overall.

[soled]

Originally Posted by dtnphx

Not bad, really. It's funny how someone who comes here for a few days sees what they want or has a narrative in their mind like no one leaving their resorts and heading to Scottsdale for a taco. That must have sounded so cool to the hipster writer. But, not too bad a job overall.

As is all too common on the internet, the comments at the end of the story are from a fine mini mass of insecure D Bags.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by combusean

Thrillist just gave Downtown the best review ever practically.

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nat...worth-visiting

There have been more positive articles about us in them last couple years. But the author keeps saying it was hot, it hasn’t been hot for like 5 months when did this person visit?

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by combusean

Thrillist just gave Downtown the best review ever practically.

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nat...worth-visiting

How ironic that the owner of Angels Trumpet is seen as an urban champion in this article.

[biggus diggus]

Originally Posted by Obadno

There have been more positive articles about us in them last couple years. But the author keeps saying it was hot, it hasn’t been hot for like 5 months when did this person visit?

They make reference to a 90 degree evening so that kind of narrows it down.

[RichTempe]

Originally Posted by Obadno

There have been more positive articles about us in them last couple years. But the author keeps saying it was hot, it hasn’t been hot for like 5 months when did this person visit?

Originally Posted by biggus diggus

They make reference to a 90 degree evening so that kind of narrows it down.

I think his point was that the article makes it sound as though it's still in the 90's in February since that's when it was published. The author makes no reference as to when he visited, so a lot of outsiders will continue to believe Phoenix is that warm all the time. We know that to be untrue, but an article referencing nighttime heat indexes in the 90's in February will just perpetuate some peoples' stereotypes. I don't really know who this guy is or who reads his stuff, so it might not even register with many people.

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by RichTempe

I think his point was that the article makes it sound as though it's still in the 90's in February since that's when it was published. The author makes no reference as to when he visited, so a lot of outsiders will continue to believe Phoenix is that warm all the time. We know that to be untrue, but an article referencing nighttime heat indexes in the 90's in February will just perpetuate some peoples' stereotypes. I don't really know who this guy is or who reads his stuff, so it might not even register with many people.

I really don't care for these types of articles. Maybe a few thousand will read them and it may change the thinking of mere few who were contemplating on moving to Phoenix. But we have about 83,000 people per year migrating to the Phoenix metro that says otherwise. So those are the opinions I am going with.

[muertecaza]

Streetsblog article on a study that concluded that Phoenix is 10% parking. Article and study are here:

https://usa.streetsblog.org/2019/02/...r-car-storage/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...dgcid=coauthor

It's an interesting undertaking and hopefully a resource to be used by interested parties in reducing parking. And it's nice to see that (at least according to the study) we've leveled off quite a bit in the past 10 years. I do wonder sometimes however who's paying for this stuff. From the article:

Hoehne and his research team estimated the total number of parking spaces by matching of buildings and building types to the corresponding municipality’s zoning requirements for parking spaces. On-street parking spaces were calculated using a database of street segments combined with parking regulations. The count includes on and off-street parking as well as parking spaces at residences (driveways, garages).

If I was paying for the study I would want a better methodology than spending who knows how long cataloging the buildings in the metro and estimating their parking based on zoning codes.

[exit2lef]

^ For me, the most interesting and somewhat disappointing finding is that the greatest concentration of new parking development has been along the light rail line. In a way, that makes sense because the light rail corridor is where so much development is occurring. The paradoxical outcome of more parking near high-capacity transit is in large part the result of city governments and developers stubbornly sticking to suburban-style parking requirements, even in areas where a car is less necessary. Just this past week, the Phoenix director of economic development was quoted saying that we can't give up 500 downtown parking spaces when the Hyatt garage is redeveloped. That mentality has to change if we want the results of this study to be different next time it's done.

[biggus diggus]

I just spent the week in Chicago, all their developments have lots of parking too. This isn't some magical Phoenix problem.

[Obadno]

This is a pie in the sky article but the state should absolutely get on the ground floor of the space industry. We have plenty of land and clear weather for safe take off and landing, we have good internal transportation to move goods to their end users in manufacturing/telecom.

Believe it or not Space mining and energy production in low earth orbit are going to be major industries in just a few decades if not sooner.

Almost 60 years ago, the United States and the Soviet Union began a space race culminating with Yuri Gagarin orbiting Earth and Neil Armstrong setting foot on the Moon. Today, a new type of space race is brewing, and it’s one where trips to zero gravity will be more common and less “science fiction.”

The recent successful launches of vehicles like SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, and Blue Origin’s New Shepard have proven that space is more reliably accessible for commercial “new space” service providers. With the global space economy currently valued at $350 billion, more states are taking a close look at what the emerging “new space” market can do for their residents. Colorado’s Front Range Airport is the most recent recipient of a FAA-issued launch site operator’s license changing its name to Colorado Air and Space Port. Colorado joins the likes of California, Florida, Virginia, New Mexico, Alaska, Texas, and Oklahoma as a state capable of facilitating some version of launch services for private industry.

Arizona is already one of the top aerospace manufacturing states having long ago attracted industry heavyweights such as Boeing, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and General Dynamics, among others. A 2018 report by PwC ranked Arizona No. 4 in aerospace manufacturing attractiveness, describing Arizona as “an ideal climate for aircraft testing and space observation, good transportation infrastructure, and business-friendly tax policy.” A 2018 report by Deloitte Consulting further highlighted southern Arizona’s potential for a favorable and successful commercial space ecosystem and pointed to the importance of formalizing “a unified mission for the region around key strengths and defined growth areas.”

Arizona is favorably positioned to grow in the industry and establish a unique, world-class launch site of its own. Receiving a launch site operator’s license and creating a launch site is a fundamental step to supporting that growth. The FAA requires the completion of a number of studies during the multi-year application and review process that can cost upwards of $1 million. However, with the global space industry estimated by Morgan Stanley to be valued at $1.1 trillion or more by 2040, the cost could be viewed as a wise investment. As in the Colorado example, one option for an Arizona launch site is to retrofit an existing airport. Another option worth exploring is a ground-up launch site development specifically targeting the needs of the rapidly developing nanosatellite market. Either option would send a signal to New Space service providers that Arizona has the sophisticated understanding and appetite to meet the needs of this burgeoning and well-funded industry.

In order to compete in this emerging sector, states also need to consider the education required to support the industry. Well-rounded education programs targeting STEM skills are essential to developing quality talent base. Arizona’s public universities have been highlighted as effective and capable academic partners in current and past NASA missions. In addition to the public university system, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is quickly developing one of the most advanced space programs in the world, including its space physics program and the nation’s first spaceflight operations program. Attracting new space businesses to Arizona could open the door to private sector collaboration opportunities allowing students to step out of the theoretical world and gain hands-on, referenceable experience as well as support Arizona’s already strong aerospace supply chain. Graduates would potentially have access to positions in their chosen fields here in Arizona rather than having to relocate out of state to find quality jobs in the private sector. From blue-collar jobs like plumbing to high-level engineering positions, the Arizona education system would likely adapt to include education for space employment at an early education level.

Arizona is known for its supportive business environment and has an advantage with its ideal climate and lack of weather-related interruptions. Taking advantage of both and having an FAA-licensed launch site would help to cultivate new space market options in the future and could prove to be an economic catalyst of huge proportions. It’s hard to pinpoint when ideas being discussed will no longer be hypotheticals, but it’s almost certain that we are witnessing the beginning of a trillion-dollar industry worldwide. Arizona has what it takes to enter the new space race and only needs to make sure all the elements are in place in order to fly off the starting line when the flag drops.

https://azbigmedia.com/is-the-time-r...d-a-spaceport/

[DesertRay]

Originally Posted by Obadno

This is a pie in the sky article but the state should absolutely get on the ground floor of the space industry. We have plenty of land and clear weather for safe take off and landing, we have good internal transportation to move goods to their end users in manufacturing/telecom.

Believe it or not Space mining and energy production in low earth orbit are going to be major industries in just a few decades if not sooner.



https://azbigmedia.com/is-the-time-r...d-a-spaceport/

We could also partner with New Mexico. They are right next door, and are easier to partner with than California.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by biggus diggus

I just spent the week in Chicago, all their developments have lots of parking too. This isn't some magical Phoenix problem.

No, it's not limited to Phoenix, but some other cities are making remarkable strides in eliminating mandatory parking requirements:

"The policy eliminates off-street minimum parking requirements, making Minneapolis the fourth city to make such a move. (San Francisco pulled the trigger earlier in December, while both Buffalo in New York and Hartford in Connecticut did so in 2017.)"

https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/...apolis/577750/

Of course, what developers and their investors perceive in terms of needed parking is their decision to make, but Phoenix should follow the model of other cities in re-examining outdated 20th Century parking requirements.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by biggus diggus

I just spent the week in Chicago, all their developments have lots of parking too. This isn't some magical Phoenix problem.

Other than noting "That's kind of interesting but not really" these flyover parking pieces are pointless especially w/o any context.

Originally Posted by exit2lef

No, it's not limited to Phoenix, but some other cities are making remarkable strides in eliminating mandatory parking requirements:

Of course, what developers and their investors perceive in terms of needed parking is their decision to make, but Phoenix should follow the model of other cities in re-examining outdated 20th Century parking requirements.

The problem for Phoenix is twofold: outdated habits and assumptions but the second is land use/zoning. Interestingly, yesterday I had two drops and a pickup between Sky Harbor and the area of 14th and Polk streets. Nice quiet area even at Rush.

The key is zoning for more density and creating more walkable/bikeable neighborhoods. The problem is usually NIMBY's.

I know some assume I'm a little crazy and I wouldn't argue the point but to go back to the previously mentioned Van Buren corridor, that area is such a mish-mash of uses already that with street improvements and denser zoning (assuming it's needed), that area could easily be flipped.

Developers like popular areas ofc but they also like it when their job is made easy-peasy and a nice streetscape is always a draw.

[biggus diggus]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

No, it's not limited to Phoenix, but some other cities are making remarkable strides in eliminating mandatory parking requirements:

"The policy eliminates off-street minimum parking requirements, making Minneapolis the fourth city to make such a move. (San Francisco pulled the trigger earlier in December, while both Buffalo in New York and Hartford in Connecticut did so in 2017.)"

https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/...apolis/577750/

Of course, what developers and their investors perceive in terms of needed parking is their decision to make, but Phoenix should follow the model of other cities in re-examining outdated 20th Century parking requirements.

Interestingly on this topic I wonder if any of us have actually been in the parking garages for new construction in Phoenix. Are these garages being used near capacity? If so then I'd say the spaces are needed. In San Francisco many people don't have cars so I would agree the parking requirements are outdated and useless, but in Phoenix I don't feel like that's the case. Even in Chicago in South Loop and West Loop (two neighborhoods full of new construction) new buildings have more parking than you'd think necessary but it's being utilized.

I guess my point is that if they need it in a city which is heavily reliant on public transportation, we certainly need it here.