Category Archives: Midtown Phoenix

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Phoenix Arizona’s Historic Communities Provide the Ultimate Urban Lifestyle

Phoenix, AZ Urban Lifestyle

Many home buyers who are looking for something charming, quaint & vibrant in a convenient location find themselves exploring, visiting and moving into the historic communities in central and midtown Phoenix.

It’s reminiscent of simpler times, like old Americana, where you can walk your dog along the tree-lined streets and wave to your neighbors sitting out on their front porch. It’s a place where you know your neighbor’s names.

Location Attraction

The prime central location, in the heart of the historic district, is where you are just steps from every imaginable cultural experience including the Phoenix Art Museum, the world renowned Heard Museum, Arizona Science Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Phoenix Symphony Hall, Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona, some truly wonderful locally-owned shops & eateries, and nearby sporting events with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Rattlers.

Location Proximity

Also, proximity to hospitals, medical & business offices, colleges, banks, and the like. Not to mention the Roosevelt Row which has been ranked one of the top art districts in the country (be sure to check out First Fridays when thousands of people fill the streets), the Encanto Enchanted Island Amusement Park, and the Valley Metro Light Rail, which is ideal for rapid transit to downtown theaters, hotels, municipal services, the Arizona State University downtown campus, concert venues, and even to Sky Harbor Int’l Airport.

Also so close to great schools such as St. Mary’s, Brophy College Prep, Xavier College Prep, and more. Easy access to several highways makes it easy to get around the Valley in minutes.

Whether you’re looking to buy a single-family home in Phoenix, AZ, a Historic Phoenix home, or, If the condo lifestyle is something you’re considering, or, if it’s all you can afford now, please give me a call for free, no obligation consultation. I specialize and LOVE working with first-time homebuyers and am am FIRM believer that THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION. I’ll take all the time with you that you need!

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5 Phoenix Neighborhoods Offering the Best Value for First-Time Homebuyers

Courtesy, Catherine Reagor, Arizona Republic

Home prices have shot up in metro Phoenix, but deals can still be found if you know where to look.

Finding that Valley neighborhood, block or home that is still a bargain and likely to rise in value sooner rather than later is the end game for most homebuyers, investors and flippers.

Rising home prices are making it so much tougher for first-time homebuyers. So this year I am sharing some neighborhoods where houses are priced below $300,000.

A disclaimer: I am not advocating to buy in these areas. Some of the areas come with higher crime rates or other urban issues. But when a friend or source asks me where first-time buyers can still afford houses closer in, here’s my answer.

South Phoenix

I thought this central Valley area close to freeways and the biggest city park in the U.S. would rebound 15 years ago. But the housing boom and bust delayed its comeback until now.

Home sales in the area’s 85040 ZIP code soared 37% last year. Prices in that neighborhood climbed 22% to $201,000 but are still affordable compared with metro Phoenix’s median home price of $268,000.

South Phoenix has golf and gated communities closer to South Mountain in the 85042 ZIP code. But the median price for that area is only $250,000.

A cool new community called Avance on a former golf course, right next to the preserve, opens in May, 2019. Prices there are expected to start above $300,000.

Downtown Mesa

Light rail, new universities and investment from the Mormon Church are giving this older area a boost. Several new restaurants have opened, and new housing projects are planned, and Mesa has some wonderful historic homes.

It’s become a place for people to hang out again.

The median home price in downtown Mesa’s 85201 ZIP code is $220,000, up 10% from last year. The Evergreen Historic District with homes dating to 1910 can be found here.

Benedictine University has a new campus in downtown Mesa, and Arizona State University is opening one. ASU’s investment in downtown Phoenix helped create a rental housing boom in that area.

Sunnyslope

This often-maligned north Phoenix neighborhood that stretches up and around 7th Street and 7th Avenue north of Northern Avenue to North Mountain is starting to see home prices rise and more businesses open.

Its lower-income housing may deter some buyers, while others like the great diversity. It spans the ZIP codes 85020 and 85021 and is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in both.

The median home price in 85021, the more affordable area, is $301,000. But that area also includes parts of the much-pricier north central neighborhood.

Some interesting luxury homes can be found in Sunnyslope around the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.

Melrose Woodlea Historic Neighborhoods

Buyers can find mid-century homes with relatively affordable price tags in several midtown neighborhoods in the 85013 and 85015 ZIP codes such as North Encanto Historic District, Woodlea Historic District or Pierson Place Historic District.

The Willo, Encanto and Uptown neighborhoods, where prices are much higher, border this area.

Neighborhoods bordering some of the historic districts are great places to look, too. Grandview is one of my favorites, or St. Gregory/Westwood, and there are some hidden gem “no-name” neighborhoods also between 7th and 15th streets and Osborn and Indian School roads.

The redevelopment of Park Central Mall and the many new apartments going up in Midtown are also giving this area a boost.

The median home price in 85013 is $325,000, but houses that need some work can be found for less. The median price in 85015 is $229,000.

West Phoenix

The 85017 ZIP code is home to growing Grand Canyon University. The school helped revitalize the area that had Phoenix’s highest crime rate in 2010.

This west Phoenix neighborhood is drawing investors, who are buying homes and turning them into rentals for students, and flippers, who are redoing the area’s older brick ranch-style houses.

Crime rates have dropped and home values have climbed in this area near Interstate 17. The median home price in the 85017 ZIP code has rebounded 302% from $41,000 after the crash in 2011 to $165,000 in 2018.

Despite the jump, it’s still one of the Valley’s most affordable neighborhoods.

Investors/flippers

These areas are top picks for investors and flippers for the same reasons they draw first-time buyers.

That means first-time buyers will face a lot of competition for the best properties.

But for buyers who don’t want to fix up a house or want to rent in an area before buying, it means more options.

For buyers interested in affordable new homes, check out a list of the least pricey new communities. Most are in metro Phoenix’s edge suburbs.

Whether you’re looking to buy a single-family home in Phoenix, AZ, a Historic Phoenix home, or, If the condo lifestyle is something you’re considering, or, if it’s all you can afford now, please give me a call for free, no obligation consultation. I specialize and LOVE working with first-time homebuyers and am am FIRM believer that THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION. I’ll take all the time with you that you need!

Phoenix among top housing markets to watch in 2019

2019 Housing Market Outlook In Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix will be one of the top housing markets to watch in 2019, according to a report from real estate website Trulia.

The analysis, released Thursday, highlights the 10 markets poised for growth in the coming year. Phoenix ranks No. 7 on the list, just behind Fresno, California and ahead of Columbia, South Carolina. Colorado Springs, Colorado topped the rankings.

Trulia examined the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, measuring each on five metrics including job growth over the past year, vacancy rates, starter home affordability and percentage of the population under age 35.

The Valley’s strong job growth, 2.9 percent, in the past year, along with starter home affordability and low vacancy rates helped the market attain its spot in the rankings. According to Trulia, residents in Phoenix spend just 33.7 percent of their income on housing, which signals strong starter home affordability in the market. The Valley also has a ratio of 1.3 of inbound vs. outbound searches on Trulia’s website. That means more people are interested in moving to the market than those searching to move away.

Trulia’s report also zeroed in on the hottest neighborhoods in each top market. In the Valley, it’s Agritopia in Gilbert, which saw home values appreciate 14.6 percent year over year. Homes in the neighborhood also saw the average number of days on market drop by 18 days, according to Trulia.

As the local economy has continued to add jobs and grow, the housing market around Phoenix has seen a healthy year in 2018. Several homebuilders have scooped up land for new communities and restarted once-dormant projects to meet demand. A recent housing study found existing home prices climbed nearly 6 percent in October.

Millennial’s are said to be some of the hottest first-time homebuyers in Phoenix.

Growth (Rank)	Vacancy Rate (Rank)	Share of Income Needed to Afford Median Priced Starter Home (Rank)	Ratio of Inbound-to-Outbound Home Searches on Trulia (Rank)	Share of Population Under 35 (Rank)	Overall Score
1	Colorado Springs, Colo.	3.3% (8)	4.8% (35)	35.4% (63)	1.8 (17)	23.6% (8)	26.2
2	Grand Rapids, Mich.	2.0% (22)	3.7% (16)	23.2% (34)	1.1 (41)	21.7% (30)	28.6
3	Jacksonville, Fla.	2.0% (24)	4.2% (26)	23.4% (35)	2.4 (7)	20.7% (52)	28.8
4	Bakersfield, Calif.	0.6% (56)	6.4% (68)	14.3% (6)	2.3 (8)	23.1% (12)	30.0
5	Austin, Texas	2.5% (14)	3.4% (12)	45.0% (79)	1.1 (47)	24.4% (4)	31.2
6	Fresno, Calif.	1.6% (32)	3.5% (13)	47.1% (81)	1.6 (22)	22.6% (16)	32.8
7	Phoenix, Ariz.	2.9% (9)	4.0% (20)	33.7% (59)	1.3 (32)	20.9% (47)	33.4
8	Columbia, S.C.	0.4% (69)	6.1% (63)	13.7% (5)	2.1 (12)	22.3% (20)	33.8
9	El Paso, Texas	1.0% (51)	5.5% (48)	33.5% (58)	2.4 (6)	23.2% (11)	34.8
10	Oklahoma City, Okla.	2.0% (20)	6.9% (76)	21.1% (27)	1.3 (33)	22.3% (21)	35.4
Note: Rankings from among the 100 largest metros.

Downtown Phoenix’s Growing Popularity is Pricing Out Many Residents

10-28-2018 Courtesy, in part, azcentral

Downtown Phoenix’s Metro housing boom is blanketing the area with thousands of new apartments and condominiums.

But the rents and prices for the new homes will shut the door on some who want to live in the area. and home prices in historic neighborhoods in and around downtown Phoenix are soaring as the area becomes more popular, further limiting Metro Phoenix potential buyers.

“It’s heartbreaking that the teachers and those working in the area’s hotels and cafes can’t afford to live in downtown,” said Cindy Dach, downtown Phoenix proponent, resident and business owner. “The area won’t be diverse unless we plan housing for everyone.”

Some affordable housing is planned in the city’s core, but not enough, say housing advocates. Building affordable housing in the area is tough due to rising land prices.

“We need the entire spectrum of housing in downtown Phoenix,” said Patricia Garcia Duarte, CEO of the housing non-profit Trellis. “Many people forget affordable housing is needed to create a healthy community.”

Luxury, luxury and more luxury in Metro Phoenix Phoenix, AZ

Most of the 8,000 apartments recently built, underway or planned in downtown Phoenix are in luxury complexes with rents higher than the average Valley mortgage.

The average apartment rent in downtown Phoenix is $1,608, according to ABI Multifamily. The average apartment rent for a one bedroom for the entire city of Phoenix is $1,050.

Millennial Adrian Zaragoza rented in downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row neighborhood for five years before buying a new condo in the area’s Portland on the Park development last year.

“I saw rents rising, and the chance to buy a condo before those prices climbed too,” he said.

Zaragoza said all of the new development going on downtown “is exciting,” but he’s glad to be his own landlord and not dealing with rent hikes.

If too many apartments go up and don’t fill up fast, rents could fall in downtown Phoenix.

Also, though rents are high in downtown Phoenix, they are still $50 to $100 lower a month than rents in downtown Scottsdale and Tempe.

Can you still find an affordable house In Phoenix, AZ?

Aysia Williams and Benjamin Hughes rented in Phoenix’s Woodland Historic District, on the western edge of downtown, for about a year before trying to buy their first home.

“We fell in love with the area, but saw prices and rents climbing fast,” Williams said. “We knew we wanted to buy, but there was a lot of competition for the houses we liked.”

Woodland is part of the 85007 ZIP code, one of central Phoenix’s more affordable neighborhoods. The area, which has also attracted many investors, saw its overall median home price climb 10 percent to more than $192,000 in 2017. Sales in the area jumped nearly 20 percent last year.

The couple’s house, for which they paid less than $250,000 a few months ago, was never even listed for sale. They were renting in the neighborhood and searching for a home they could afford when they met a longtime homeowner who didn’t want to sell to an investor.

People talk about the gentrification of central Phoenix pricing too many first-time homebuyers out. Buyers can still find affordable homes if they look hard enough.

Home prices in most other historic neighborhoods around downtown Phoenix are much higher. Prices in nearby the nearby Roosevelt historic district and Willo historic neighborhood can easily top $500,000.

Housing downtown workers can afford

Phoenix Housing Director Cindy Stotler said downtown Phoenix has 1,001 affordable units which is more than most people realize.

The issue is that those units are reserved under federal law for “very low-income” individuals who have a median annual income of $14,000-$38,000.

Stotler said the real downtown housing gap is in “workforce housing,” for middle-income individuals who make $38,000-$48,000 annually. These individuals would have to pay nearly 50 percent of their income to afford living in market-rate housing downtown which is not reasonable or sustainable, she said.

“To me, the area that we’re missing in downtown is the working people’s housing. And people who are not like a lawyer or something and making a lot of money, but they’re just average working people,” she said. “There’s no regular housing for them. We’re not building that.”

To get workforce housing downtown, the city likely won’t be able to rely on traditional developers, Stotler said.

Land prices are high, which makes it difficult for developers to offer middle-income rents and still turn a profit on their projects, she said.

Garcia Duarte said financing is also difficult for more affordable housing, which deters some developers from building it.

Stotler is looking to city-owned land in downtown as a possible solution to this issue. She hopes to find developers or non-profit groups that may be able to build middle-income housing on these lots.

Affordable housing to market-rate

Phoenix’s housing department owns and operates three affordable housing properties in the downtown core.

Deck Park Vista: Located at Third and Moreland streets, Deck Park Vista has 56 subsidized senior apartments. The average household income is $17,848 and only two of the units qualify as workforce housing.
Ambassador West: This complex located near Van Buren Street and Fifth Avenue has 102 units. The average household income is $24,159 and only 28 of the units qualify as workforce housing.
Reflections on Portland: This small, 18-unit complex at Second and Portland streets has five workforce housing units. The average household income is $35,245.

Stotler would like to take some of the city’s housing projects and redevelop them as denser projects with more units available for middle-income households.

For example, Deck Park Vista is a garden-style apartment complex with just 56 units on two acres of land. Stotler said she could fit between 200-400 units on the land.

“It’s a poorly designed project for the downtown,” she said.

Stotler said the city has 10 other senior housing options across Phoenix, including some near downtown, like the Warehouse District, where the current residents could be moved to accommodate a new multistory project on the land with 200 workforce units and 50 affordable units.

Financing the project won’t be easy. While the city gets federal assistance to provide low-income housing, there are far fewer resources to build and provide middle-income housing, Stotler said.

“That’s where I’m struggling right now, is where we can get the funding to build all these workforce units,” Stotler said.

Pressure to build affordable In Phoenix, AZ

In most large cities, particularly those on the East Coast, it’s common practice to require developers who build market-rate housing to contribute to an affordable housing trust fund, which allows the city to build affordable housing.

Phoenix can’t do this. State law prohibits cities from creating such trust funds, Stotler said.

Instead, the city council can, and has, put pressure on developers to include a percentage of affordable or workforce housing in its projects if they want special perks from the city like a tax break or extra height.

Recently, the developer of an apartment project planned at the Arizona Center agreed to reserve 10 percent of its 354 planned units for workforce housing in exchange for a tax break.

TAPESTRY ON CENTRAL LUXURY CONDO FOR RENT – MIDTOWN PHOENIX

FOR RENT AT TAPESTRY ON CENTRAL IN DOWNTOWN/MIDTOWN PHOENIX- Only $1,350/mo. 16 W Encanto Blvd., Unit 407 Phoenix, AZ 85003

Check out this FANTASTIC & immaculate POOLSIDE LUXURY condo OPEN FLOORPLAN with the balcony overlooking the pool in a MIDTOWN–Downtown Central Phoenix location that just can’t be beat! Literally just STEPS away from the Encanto Light Rail stop, and, borders the Willo Historic District, this pristine condo is a perfect place to call home. Water, sewer & trash included in rent along with INCREDIBLE amenities this complex at Tapestry on Central has to offer: Resort-like heated lap pool & jacuzzi, Fitness Center, Dry Sauna, huge clubhouse w/full kitchen, exterior gas grills/BBQ area, private movie theater room, underground, secure, gated parking garage & perfectly manicured grounds. Walk or Light Rail to fabulous restaurants, Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, US Airways, Chase Ballpark, Symphony Hall, Herberger, Orpheum Theater & more!

VERY Large Master Bedroom with His & Hers closets leads to both the living room, the bathroom AND the living room AND your private Balcony! Full Master Bathroom with Separate Tower & Tub PLUS Walk-In Shower AND Dual Sinks. The kitchen has gorgeous granite countertops, Dishwasher, Disposal, GAS OVEN & Built-In Microwave & Fridge. Washer & Dryer INSIDE Unit with added laundry cabinets!. Front Entry Closet & pantry also gives plenty of room for your coats & food! Fob entry access to ALL amenities give this luxury condo all you can desire in a luxury condo complex!

Also, search condos for sale at Tapestry on Central:

Tapestry on Central Community Condos For Sale

13 Listings

$280,000 2 beds 2 baths 1,277 sqft 17 W VERNON Avenue, 404
Phoenix, AZ 85003

$305,000 2 beds 2 baths 1,512 sqft 17 W VERNON Avenue, 609
Phoenix, AZ 85003

$242,000 2 beds 2 baths 1,243 sqft 2302 N Central Avenue, 411
Phoenix, AZ 85004

$284,000 2 beds 2.5 baths 1,510 sqft 16 W ENCANTO Boulevard, 126
Phoenix, AZ 85003

$248,000 2 beds 2 baths 1,277 sqft 2302 N Central Avenue, 509
Phoenix, AZ 85004

$274,900 2 beds 2.5 baths 1,510 sqft 17 W VERNON Avenue, 107
Phoenix, AZ 85003

$235,000 2 beds 2 baths 1,277 sqft 2302 N CENTRAL Avenue, 310
Phoenix, AZ 85004

$319,900 2 beds 2.5 baths 1,687 sqft 17 W VERNON Avenue, 119
Phoenix, AZ 85003

$277,000 2 beds 2 baths 1,280 sqft 16 W ENCANTO Boulevard, 315
Phoenix, AZ 85003

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Arizona set to add 500,000 jobs during next eight years

August 6th, 2018

Arizona is poised to add 1 million new residents between now and 2026 as well as more than 500,000 jobs to continue growing the state’s economy.

Arizona expected to gain 500,000-plus jobs, 1 million residents by 2026. Downtown Phoenix District Booming.

The statistics, from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, paint a picture of a state once waylaid by the Great Recession as it continues to find its economic footing, according to a report by the Arizona Republic.

Those numbers would see the biggest growth in Phoenix and Maricopa County, already the state’s most populous region. The population is expected to grow from about 4.9 million to 5.5 million in the metro area during the next eight years.

The state’s population likely would rise to 8.1 million by 2026.

While those numbers are big, it’s not the kind of growth the state saw during the 1990s. Yet the county’s job growth could top out at 2.1 percent annually during that span.

What it could mean for Maricopa County and Arizona is increased influence on a business scale in the state where things already tip toward Phoenix. Politically, it could mean more clout in Washington for the state as increased representation at least following the 2020 Census.

That kind of political clout would continue to bolster Arizona’s industries that deal with federal contracts, notably the defense and aviation industries that have a large number of companies doing work in the region and state. During the second quarter, companies in the state received $2.26 billion in defense contracts.

Arizona already is a tight labor market, with the unemployment rate at 4.7 percent in June.

Downtown Phoenix Skyline Changing Thanks to Housing Construction, Jobs

Aug 5, 2018

The downtown Phoenix region is changing rapidly, thanks in large part to thousands of new apartments being built as well as scores of new tech jobs landing in the area.

The downtown area is receiving a boost from 2,000 apartments that have been finished during the past two years and will get another 3,000 during the next few years, according to a story from Azfamily.com.

Building high-rise apartments and condos started prior to the Great Recession, with towers such as 44 Monroe on the northeast corner of First Avenue and Monroe Street. But that building came to a halt as the real estate economy cratered.

Two apartment complexes, the Stewart and the Link, both under construction, will bring roughly 569 apartments to downtown within the next two years.

During the past few years, more apartments have come online, and current building is slated to add more than 10,000 apartments during the next year.

The continued rise of Phoenix as a place to live is fueled by an increasing number of technology and other jobs in downtown. The city has more than 300 tech firms within the downtown area which also are surrounded by amazing Historic Districts, compared with 67 in 2012, according to city officials.

If the condo lifestyle is something you’re considering, or, if it’s all you can afford now, please give me a call for free, no obligation consultation. I specialize and LOVE working with first-time homebuyers and am am FIRM believer that THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION. I’ll take all the time with you that you need!

New Metro Phoenix Condo Sales Soar, Will Prices Keep Climbing?

Is the Phoenix Metro Condo Boom Back?

July 31st, 2018

A stabilizing housing market and population gains will help Arizona’s economy expand faster than the nation’s again this year, though the gap will narrow, according to a forecast released April, 2018. Condo sales in Phoenix, AZ booming as a result.

These are the key findings:

Another year of solid growth: Arizona’s economy, which expanded 2.6 percent in each of the past two years, is poised to grow 2.7 percent this year, according to the forecast by BMO Capital Markets.

Wages are a big part of it: Personal income in Arizona has historically lagged, but the state seems to be catching up a bit. Wage growth in Arizona, up 7.4 percent over the past four quarters, is running at one of the fastest paces in the nation, according to the report.

Then there’s housing: Two of Arizona’s largest employment sectors, real estate and government, have exerted a drag on the state’s economy. However, heady population gains and a low foreclosure rate bode well for real estate.

“The Arizona housing market is still battling the effects of the 2008 housing crisis but could finally be normalizing after a prolonged recovery,” wrote economists Michael Gregory and Priscilla Thiagamoorthy of BMO Capital Markets in Toronto.

Expanding population helps: Housing and other sectors of the Arizona economy have been aided by an influx of residents for the state.

“If population continues to grow and labor market conditions tighten, the state may have a greater need for housing supply,” and condos are becoming extremely attractive, according to the report.

Arizona’s population recently passed 7 million, with the state adding about 80,000 more net migrants last year.

Another recent report, from the International Franchise Association, identified Arizona as a top-five state for franchising activity this year, an indication that small businesses could do better partly due to population growth.

U.S. picture improving: Arizona’s gains come against the backdrop of a strengthening U.S. economy.

The nation’s economy grew 1.5 percent and 2.3 percent in 2016 and 2017, respectively. BMO expects that will improve to 2.6 percent this year.

“The dominant (national) theme is improving manufacturing prospects prodded by increasing business investment stoked, generally, by late-cycle capacity constraints and tax cuts,” wrote Gregory and Thiagamoorthy. “Factories are also benefiting from expanding exports, reflecting stronger global growth and a weaker U.S. dollar.”

OPEN HOUSE AT REGENCY ON CENTRAL IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX UNIT 2001

This Saturday, from 1pm-3pm, Laura Boyajian, Listing Agent and REALTOR at Wise Choice Properties for Unit 2001, is holding another open house for residents and the general public at the Regency House, also known as Regency on Central. This newly designated historic high-rise sits in Ashland Place Historic District and is just flat out stunning!

Come to 2323 N Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 In Midtown Phoenix and say HELLO! MLS # 5782288

The first one was a huge success and SO much fun! Many of you came & met for the first time, and others who knew each other hung out, drank wine together and chatted like a fun party!

Come check out the MARVELOUS views of this 20th floor unit from one of the TWO balconies, and, check out the amazing, timeless, stylish and highest-of-end remodel possible!

The views from this unit in the sky are absolutely incredible and we hope you’ll join us for some wine & Hors d’oeuvres. For more information, feel free to call Laura Boyajian anytime at 602.400.0008. We look forward to meeting you!

Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Central or Downtown Phoenix, or just have some questions about anything at all in or about any one of the historic districts in Phoenix, I’d be very happy to help you! Just call or email me anytime. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION!

Renovated Burton Barr library set to reopen after flood damage

The city’s main library was devastated by a flood last monsoon. The $10 million renovation includes a larger children’s area and more community space in the Downtown & Central Phoenix, AZ area

phoenix,burton barr,library,real,estate,historic,books,agent,central,neighborhd

Workers put the final touches at the Burton Barr Central Library, which will be open to the public on Saturday after a year-long renovation sparked by a catastrophic failure in the building’s sprinkler system that flooded much of the building.

But don’t worry, many of visitors’ favorite aspects of the library are the same.

This week, the sounds of vacuums and power tools echoed throughout the branch. Librarians stacked books while IT professionals installed computers.

“This is a beloved resource in Phoenix,” Phoenix Public Library Community Relations Manager Lee Franklin told The Arizona Republic.

The storm

In July 2017, a windstorm caused the library’s roof to shake and release dust. The building’s smoke-detection system confused it for smoke and caused the fire-sprinkler system to be filled with water.

The sprinkler heads did not activate but water came out of the holes, causing damage to all five of the building’s floors and part of the book collection. No one was in the library during the flooding.

During the renovations, the fire suppression system and roof were replaced.

More space, accommodations

When walking into the renovated library, people will notice many of the same features and services.

“We are ready to be back in business and offer a significant increase in service,” Franklin said.

Franklin said the staff understands the community’s love of the former library and didn’t want renovations to change it drastically. But there will be some new things.

Throughout the library, visitors will find more computers and convenience outlets near desk areas. The library replaced flooring and tabletops.

The biggest changes were made to the children’s section, College Depot and MACH areas.

The children’s space, on the first floor, is larger: a bigger story-time area, bigger collection and an upgraded First Five Years area.

Franklin said before the storm, the library had been planning to update the College Depot on the second floor.

Now, the space has a computer lab that can hold 66 people and a large meeting room.

“We are now able to offer more sessions and accommodate more people,” Franklin said.

The area can host visits from experts, GED classes, workshops and summer camps.

On the fourth floor, the MACH area was significantly damaged by water. The area, also known as the space for makers-artists-crafters-hackers, caters to people who want to learn more about STEM.

The area now has two computer labs and a designated 3D-printer room.

An additional service at the location will be the seed library. Franklin said Burton Barr librarians realized the program was successful at other locations and wanted to bring it downtown.

Phoenix library flood’s damage tally: 6,000 books

The library’s fifth floor

The pipe burst above the reference section on the fifth floor.

Franklin said when replacing the section, staff researched which resources were used the most.

Some resources were not able to be replaced due to being out of publication. Therefore, computers were added to the area so visitors can search digital versions.

Franklin said the library staff like to call the floor “the great reading room.”

Also, the room’s metal pillars offer visitors the opportunity to see how the building’s architecture interacts with sunlight.

The pillars point to skylights in the ceiling, which highlight the sun’s ascent.

Franklin said the library will honor the summer solstice on June 21 because the midday effect of the pillars is most pronounced on that day.

Rare books and art

Franklin said many people in the community were concerned about the rare books in the library. None of the books or the Washington handpress were harmed, she said.

The room’s floor was replaced with more durable material and the tables can now be moved around.

During the first days of accessing the damage, crews saved art work from the property.

Burton Barr is home to more than 30 art pieces on permanent display and a gallery space. The gallery will continue its exhibit schedule with the reopening.

Franklin said art pieces were shown at City Hall during the renovations.

Reopening details

The library will open at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The day’s activities include story times, a fairy-tale princess visit, activity stations and a magician in the Children’s Place from 9 a.m. to noon.

Visitors can visit the rare books room from noon to 3 p.m. and print a keepsake on the century-old Washington handpress, or spend the afternoon learning about coding or how to build a droid.