Ignite Phoenix coming to SoDo in July

“Ignite Phoenix”, a non-traditional networking group, that meets monthly in “cool” downtown Phoenix establishments, will be bringing their July meeting to SoDo to find out more about what’s happening in our SoDo Phoenix establishments & neighborhoods.
 
“Ignite Phoenix’s” Mission is “To activate spirited and stimulating dialogue around Downtown Phoenix’s emerging creative culture.  To meet others who are making things happen… to connect the dots”. 
 
Hope you can join us at the Brickhouse Theater, 1 E. Jackson St on Tuesday, July 29th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
 
Roger Belfiore, the owner of the Brickhouse will be serving up his famous “Burger, Fries & Drink for $5″.
 
Please RSVP to lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

Houses for rent in Central Park

 

 

 

I currently have 3 different houses in Central Park available for Lease, all at very affordable prices.  Central Park is a great little neighborhood, just south of the Downtown Phoenix Warehouse District.  The neighborhood is home to the Bentley Projects Art Gallery & The City Bakery as well as a great little neighborhood Park.  You can walk to several Jackson St restaurants, US Airways Center, Chase Field and the future light rail.  The homes I currently have, range in price from $695 to $750.

For more info, contact Lyle Plocher with Urban Connection Realty at 602 373 3725 or lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

Brickhouse served up some great “Air Guitar”

The Brickhouse Theater on Jackson St, was recently host to the famous 2008 Cuervo Black Air Guitar Regional Championships.  I wish I would have known in advance as that would have been pretty hilarious to watch.  For those of you who might not be familiar with the “Air Guitar”, I will give you the Wikipedia definition:

“Playing air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar solos. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching. Air guitar is generally used in the imaginary simulation of loud electric guitar music.”

Anyway, for those of us who were not there, AZcentral.com was kind enough to put together a slide show of some of the performers.  check it out

Brickhouse website

Stop by the Ruby Room after work

Stopped by to visit Greg Riggins yesterday, the owner of the Ruby Room.  Greg hosts a lot of “live music” in the evenings at the Ruby Room, but he would love to have people from the neighborhood and workers from the Warehouse District and other downtown spots stop by after work for a drink before heading home.  It’s a very cool, neighborhood bar and Greg is ready to mix you up a tasty drink.

The Ruby Room is another one of SoDo’s hidden gems, located at 717 S. Central Ave, just a couple of blocks south of the Warehouse District. (Just one property south of Wells Fargo at corner of Central & Grant)

Ruby Room MySpace page

Ruby Room reviews at yelp.com

June Meet & Mingle very productive

Our SoDo Phoenix, Meet & Mingle gathering for June was held last Thursday at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center.  There were a couple of items on the Agenda and we wanted to discuss those with our City Councilman, Michael Johnson. 

The Councilman was very receptive to our ideas about wanting to see mixed-use zoning for Central Park as the new Urban Form Project zoning takes hold.  Mixed-use zoning would allow small businesses like Art Studios, small Cafes, maybe Hair Salons, etc. to operate in the neighborhood, helping us to create a more lively, creative, neighborhood. 

The other issue on the Agenda was the recent addition of Parking Meters on some of the streets in the Warehouse District between the railroad tracks and Lincoln.  That discussion between residents and businesses on Buchanan Street will be continued with City Officials in the Streets Department.

Also, in attendance at the meeting was Tiffany Huisman, Assistant to the Mayor.

We got an update from Princess Crump, Executive Director at the GWCMCC about current construction projects happening at the Center, future vision, etc.  Look for some more info about that on the SoDo Blog real soon.  GWCMCC website

Great meeting at Central Park Rec Center this week

The City of Phoenix Planning Department has embarked on their follow up meetings with each different Character Area within the Downtown Planning area.  On Tuesday, June 17th at 6 PM, it was Central Park’s turn to further discuss what changes stakeholders might want to see in their neighborhoods with the implementation of the upcoming Urban Form Zoning Code, later this year. 

The few dominant themes that came out of the meeting were 1. That stakeholders wanted to see buildings in the neighborhood that have become dillapidated, restored if possible to help maintain some of the distinct character of single story bungalows that currently exist throughout the Central Park neighborhood. 2. The stakeholders that were present were either in favor of or not opposed to the idea of having mixed-use zoning throughout Central Park so that uses like art studios or small cafes could be allowed. 

The Planning Department will be coming back in the coming weeks to explore these and other refinements in more detail.

To be informed about future meetings, send an email to dean.brennan@phoenix.gov

The Sweet Pea Bakery & Catering

The Sweet Pea is located at the southwest corner of 2nd Avenue and Jackson Street in Downtown Phoenix,  right next door to the Royal Coffee Bar.  The Sweet Pea offers a variety of baked goods and delectable desserts for you to enjoy.

All goodies are baked on site in small batches with custom recipes. They strive on making quality goodies from quality ingredients, using local, farm fresh and organic whenever possible.

In addition to the baked goods & catering, the Sweet Pea serves lunch Tuesday through Friday. 

Chef & Owner Daniella Librera is a gradute of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and is quickly gaining notoriety for her goodies.  Check out the press page when you visit the Sweet Pea website.

The Sweet Pea is open Tuesday thru Friday, 8:30 AM to 3 PM and Saturday from 10 AM till 3 PM.  They are also open for First Fridays hosting Artist’s Receptions.

Sweet Pea Website

SoDo Phoenix June Meet and Mingle

If you own a property or a business or live in SoDo Phoenix, (Warehouse District, Central Park, Grant Park) you are invited to attend a gathering on Thursday, June 19th at 6 PM at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center, 415 E Grant St.  We have invited Councilman Michael Johnson to come and share, discuss, listen to what might be on your hearts and minds as it relates to SoDo Phoenix issues.  A few of the topics that will be discussed include, 1) The idea of Central Park being identified and developed as an “Arts District” for the south side of Downtown, similar to what has happened in the “Roosevelt Row” area 2) The issue of whether or not parking meters should be installed on the streets in the Warehouse District, between Lincoln & the railroad tracks 3) discussion of any ways, programs, etc that we can utilize to help beautify our 3 neighborhoods using grants, city resources, our resources, etc.

If you have an idea you would like to see discussed by the group and the Councilman, please submit it to me prior to the meeting to be added to the Agenda.
 
You must RSVP in order to attend the meeting as we only have seating for 20 people. 
 
RSVP to Lyle Plocher at lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

 

Great live-work opportunity at Stadium Lofts

If you are self-employed and are looking for a space where you can live and work that is walking distance to Chase Field, US Airways Center, the light rail, restaurants, Bentley Projects & all of downtown’s cultural venues, etc, this 2 story, ground floor loft should appeal to you.

Features include 19 ft ceilings, exposed brick walls, exposed ductwork, Italian tile floors, granite slab kitchen countertops, black granite sink, stainless steel appliances, raised panel cabinets, built-in wine refrigerator, custom window coverings, huge picture windows w UV Heat reducing film and gated 2 car parking.  1700 + sq ft of living space.

Asking Price is $479,000

For more information about this unit or any residential or commercial property in Downtown Phoenix, contact Lyle Plocher with Urban Connection Realty at 602 373 3725 or lyle@urbanconnectionrealty.com

 

 

 

Lots of live music at the Brickhouse this month

Although people complain about how quiet Downtown Phoenix is at night, there are actually several places you can go to hear “live music” several nights a month.  Places like Modified, The Ruby Room and the Brickhouse Theatre on Jackson St in SoDo Phoenix. 

June “live music” calendar

The Brickhouse website