http://kjzz.org/content/616267/how-f...oenixs-melrose
A KJZZ piece on the success and continued transformation of the Melrose neighborhood into a more defined district. Already kind of is the 'gayborhood' of Phoenix. Plus, a rendering for a new proposed park and what's to happen to that drive-thru liquor store we've all grown to love.
Pieces like this remind me the lack of distinction between areas of Central Phx. Coronado and Garfield areas are separated by the 10 but there's little difference between the two...Coronado seems further along in terms of investment. Grand Avenue and around Roosevelt St feel more hipster.
I stayed in Barrio Viejo of Tucson over the weekend and was impressed how a short walk took you through distinct areas of downtown where the architecture and demographics shifted in blocks. Barrio Viejo, Armory Park, Downtown, Congress St, El Presidio, Warehouse arts district, 4th Ave, Main Gate--each area felt unique in its own right, made for an exciting walk; especially with the 4th Ave festival on Saturday. While we shouldn't sacrifice the health of a neighborhood exclusively for its identity (ie letting cool old buildings sit empty until they crumble) we should be actively promoting organic formation of these distinctive areas.
2nd st is one of those areas I'm watching as we see bars creeping towards Roosevelt from the Filmbar/Cobra cluster--hoping for a drinking street. Monroe and Central, of course, has a nice cluster and is usually packed on weekends. Grand Ave might as well be our primary arts area. Will be interesting to see where else comes to fruition. Sorry for the long post, curious how you guys feel or think where another distinctive area may pop up in the near future.