Government Affairs
2008 Election Candidates and Candidate Survey Responses back to main Candidate page
Candidate Survey Responses – On The Issues – Each Question, All Candidates
16. How would you address commercial redevelopment opportunities in areas like Fourth Street/Sunnyside and Southside/Downtown?
Mayor Joseph Donaldson
Addressing commercial development on Fourth Street will come once developers recognize the potential gold mine they are sitting on. The Fourth Street Bridge gives phenomenal access to both the north and south. The Coming Aquaplex will increase more traffic and encourage Fourth Street capitalization. Soon the Council will approve development on the three parcels created when we moved the railroad tracks. The plans will draw more commercial development in the area. Add to that the construction of the new WalMart and the planned development awaiting WalMart to begin construction across from the WalMart site, capital investment and renovation will begin and grow on Fourth Street. Unfortunately, I don’t see strong capital investment until the national and state markets improve. Investors who have the money are purchasing sites now while the market is down
As for the Southside, much capital is happening now that will attract further capital investment in the Southside proper. The Northern Arizona Conference Center and Drury Hotel project and the Aspen Place at the Sawmill Mill are only the beginning. The key impediment to Southside development is the flood plan in which the Southside sits. Once the Rio de Flag project nears completion, we project upwards of $100 million being invested in capital growth in the Southside. Investors are taking advantage of the market conditions to secure property in anticipation of the flood plain being eliminated.
Both on the Fourth Street Corridor and the Southside the community has development a vision and plan for their respective neighborhoods. Much community time has been invested in these plans and I look forward to the City with the Mayor and Council in assisting these plans to reality.
Sara Presler-Hoefle
Fourth Street/Sunnyside and Southside/Downtown are two examples of our community that need commercial redevelopment and revitalization. A third area is along historic Route 66. First, we have to make sure that there is adequate infrastructure in the area. This includes caring for our City streets, focusing on neighborhood watch and police partnerships, and supporting the neighborhood association efforts. Second, we should work to focus on opportunities for children and youth in these community neighborhoods. Third, we should encourage local businesses to expand. When we do bring in outside businesses, we should encourage them to relocate to those areas in Flagstaff. Commercial development is the driving force of our economy.
Karla Brewster
Look into the feasibility of using CDBG and possibly some HUD funding to revitalize those areas. We should be concerned particularly, about the neighborhoods close to the conference center/hotel as tourists will be walking through this area and first impressions need to be positive.
Coral Evans
Commercial redevelopment in the Fourth Street/Sunnyside and Southside/Downtown areas are vital for the overall success of our community.
I have been active for years in various efforts to revitalize the commercial corridors in both neighborhoods. A specific example of this would be the East Flagstaff Focus Future Strategic Planning Process, which I participated in and the more recent Fourth Street Corridor Redevelopment Planning Process (the Fourth Street, Cedar Avenue & Sunnyside Business Redevelopment Taskforce) which my organization lead (over 45 businesses, organizations and agencies worked together to develop this plan; which included identified [possible] funding sources).
I would address the commercial redevelopment of the Fourth Street/Sunnyside corridor by implementing the plan developed by the Fourth Street, Cedar Avenue & Sunnyside Business Redevelopment Taskforce.
In addressing the commercial (and residential) redevelopment of the Southside/Downtown it would be vital to work together with State and Federal agencies to remove the Flood Plain requirements. Removal of those requirements will assist in making redevelopment in the Southside more likely.
Morgan Hagaman
Projects like the 4th Street overpass and the Mall expansion are going have a good effect on the Sunnyside/4th Street area. Sunnyside has continued to improve over the years and that will definitely help these areas. The new conference center will be a real boost for the Southside/Downtown area. I believe that there will be some very good opportunities in both of these areas.
John McCulloch
I don’t think the city should be creating their own visions for how to redevelop those areas. As a southside merchant I don’t support the parking meters, or the traffic improvements. The Sunnyside improvements for water & sewer were long overdue and I was on the council when those began. 4th St. south of the RR tracks should be widened to Butler and let the private sector move forward with their proposals.
Micole Shorty
In Sunnyside commercial businesses and residential homes should be separate dividing each to one to a designated side of the neighborhood.
Al White
We need to work with property owners to encourage re-investment. A number of absentee landlords need to be engaged to examine opportunities. In Southside the removal of the flood plain requirements will help make re-investment more feasible. |
