Circles on Central

[CrestedSaguaro]

Circles is apparently much further along than we have thought. The glass on the corner is now covered on the inside with tarp. There were several guys with green vest in the parking lot (looked to be doing work on the roof). I spoke with one and he stated that half of the building is slated to be demo'd and the other half is to stay up. When I mentioned the highrise, he stopped at that point not wanting to say anything more than that.

So, that's what I have so far, but look to see some work to be done soon.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

Circles is apparently much further along than we have thought. The glass on the corner is now covered on the inside with tarp. There were several guys with green vest in the parking lot (looked to be doing work on the roof). I spoke with one and he stated that half of the building is slated to be demo'd and the other half is to stay up. When I mentioned the highrise, he stopped at that point not wanting to say anything more than that.

So, that's what I have so far, but look to see some work to be done soon.

Seems as if he is just part of a demo or preservation crew. It could sit for awhile after demo like Paz, but I hope not.

I didn't get a great look, but thought I saw additional equipment including a water truck on site at Edison today.

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

Circles is apparently much further along than we have thought. The glass on the corner is now covered on the inside with tarp. There were several guys with green vest in the parking lot (looked to be doing work on the roof). I spoke with one and he stated that half of the building is slated to be demo'd and the other half is to stay up. When I mentioned the highrise, he stopped at that point not wanting to say anything more than that.

So, that's what I have so far, but look to see some work to be done soon.

I hope that's the case, but I don't get that they're close yet since they still have to go through design changes and the City.

Historic preservationists express concern for plans for Circles Records and Tapes

http://downtowndevil.com/2016/03/29/...a9fa-355686605

[combusean]

This thread is now open and has been backfilled.

I am very disappointed with some of the name calling and hostility that occurred here while I was out of town.

Please don't make me get out the banhammer again and keep things civil.

[gymratmanaz]

Maybe get rid of this forum page so the bitching will cease? LOL!

We are going to get a cool new high rise, more people downtown, and a new restaurant. Win, Win Win!!!

The other choice is an empty building or lot. They are keeping the important part, the window section. Breathe everyone!!!

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by gymratmanaz

They are keeping the important part, the window section.

That says it all....

[CrestedSaguaro]

Originally Posted by dtnphx

That says it all....

One of 4 things is going to happen here:

A. The preservationists get there way and the developer pulls out...leaving the sections that's already been demolished resulting in a lawsuit against the developer and an eyesore for MANY years.
B. The developer gets it their way and continues with the current proposal.
C. The developer has had enough and raze's the whole damn building.
D. The developer scales back the design and only builds over the section that is now demolished...looking highly like the Motley Design Group rendering.

Let the speculation commence. LOL

[Jjs5056]

This project is NOTHING like the Tempe proposal. The residents of Tempe's central neighborhoods are determined to block anything and everything that gets built unless it is essentially affordable housing. The comments at the council meeting were nonsensical against rational points on the need for market rate density downtown.

2nd project pulled which catered to young professionals now (Crescent), and this one leaving a very ugly empty lot.

[ASU Diablo]

Not sure if I have seen this posted anywhere but in the latest Roosevelt District community newsletter, it appears that the developer has hired Historic Preservationist Roger Brevoort and have promised to come back to RAA in July with "something really fantastic". Let's see what the new proposal looks like...

[mdpx]

Seems it pays to fight for something now and then, eh? Good news. Thanks, bud.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by mdpx

Seems it pays to fight for something now and then, eh? Good news. Thanks, bud.

Totally agree. I looked up this Roger Brevoort guy and his firm (Historic Consultants) were behind the Hotel Monroe/HGI project

http://kjzz.org/content/239929/histo...ton-garden-inn

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by airomero83

Totally agree. I looked up this Roger Brevoort guy and his firm (Historic Consultants) were behind the Hotel Monroe/HGI project

http://kjzz.org/content/239929/histo...ton-garden-inn

I'm all for preserving the historic and architecturally unique part of the building (I really would love to see a brewery there). I hope they aren't sacrificing height/density in the process though.

[biggus diggus]

[ASU Diablo]

I missed the Roosevelt Action Association meeting last night. Anyone else make it? Developer was to present revised plans and renderings

[PHX31]

Originally Posted by airomero83

I missed the Roosevelt Action Association meeting last night. Anyone else make it? Developer was to present revised plans and renderings

I just found these meeting minutes on the RAA meeting's Facebook page. Not much info, but I like that the project is now called "The Stewart". This is probably to get the bad mojo out of the old project's name/mouth, but I think the history of the building as the Stewart Motor Company is more important than Circles. Plus, hopefully they refurbish the huge Stewart sign.

http://www.rooseveltneighborhood.org...ES-JULY-12.pdf

[dtnphx]

Largest photo, ever.

[exit2lef]

"The Roosevelt Action Association voted unanimously to reject the potential use of a tax break on the Circles Records and Tapes building project after months of discussion with the developer, according to a letter sent to city officials earlier this week."

http://downtowndevil.com/2016/07/27/...s-development/

[PHX31]

“The consensus of the commission is that GPLETs shouldn’t be provided to developers who are not preserving historic properties and this is not a preservation project,” Scheel said.

Has anyone read about or know what GPLETs technically are approved for? Is "preserving historic properties" one of an actual requirement? Or are the people of the RAA just demanding that? "GPLET's shouldn't be provided..." is a whole lot different than "GPLET's aren't provided...".

Still just sounds like a bunch of people meddling and being butt-hurt.

[PHX31]

Originally Posted by PHX31

“The consensus of the commission is that GPLETs shouldn’t be provided to developers who are not preserving historic properties and this is not a preservation project,” Scheel said.

Has anyone read about or know what GPLETs technically are approved for? Is "preserving historic properties" one of an actual requirement? Or are the people of the RAA just demanding that? "GPLET's shouldn't be provided..." is a whole lot different than "GPLET's aren't provided...".

Still just sounds like a bunch of people meddling and being butt-hurt.

The only info I could find about when a GPLET is approved for a site is this:

"Specifically, only cities and towns may
authorize the abatement of the GPLET, and then
only if the property is located within the city or
town’s “central business district.” A city or
town must notify the county, and any city, town
or school district in which the property is
located, at least 60 days before the city or town’s
approval of the GPLET lease. That approval
must contain a finding that, within the term of
the lease or development agreement, the
economic and fiscal benefit to the State of
Arizona and the county, city or town in which
the property is located will exceed the benefits
received by the lessee as a result of the
development agreement. The finding must be
based on an estimate prepared by an independent
third party."

If the 3rd party investigation shows that the new "The Stewart" residential project will provide more economic and fiscal benefit to the City than the benefits received by the developer, then by all means the GPLET should be granted. To me, outsiders and various peoples and certain commissions' self interests and hobbies (desiring historic preservation) is not a factor in whether or not a GPLET is approved. I don't think tangible, not indirect, fiscal benefit can be quantified by preserving half of a 1 story square brick side of a 1946 building to appease these people. These meddlers are really annoying. They are completely taking it to the extreme. I'm all for historic preservation, but some compromise must be accepted (as in all facets of life) which the developer seems to be providing.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by PHX31

The only info I could find about when a GPLET is approved for a site is this:

"Specifically, only cities and towns may
authorize the abatement of the GPLET, and then
only if the property is located within the city or
town’s “central business district.” A city or
town must notify the county, and any city, town
or school district in which the property is
located, at least 60 days before the city or town’s
approval of the GPLET lease. That approval
must contain a finding that, within the term of
the lease or development agreement, the
economic and fiscal benefit to the State of
Arizona and the county, city or town in which
the property is located will exceed the benefits
received by the lessee as a result of the
development agreement. The finding must be
based on an estimate prepared by an independent
third party."

If the criteria is "more benefit to the city than the developer" I think the property taxes+ sales taxes of new residents+ rental taxes (does Phoenix have a rental tax?) + + +

long term adding hundreds of residents is definitely going to outweigh the profit of the developer.