Neighborhood should embrace chance for change

The northeast corner of Thomas Road and Seventh Street has been a vast asphalt parking lot for over 40 years, and until now there has been no reason to think that would ever change.

There have been other changes in the area, but, unfortunately, not the kind anyone wants.

Two of the other three corners at this intersection have vacant buildings. One is surrounded by a chain-link fence that graffiti vandals have had their way with.

Driving south along Seventh Street, there are other vacant lots and shuttered buildings and a hodgepodge of uses, some of which may be omens of further deterioration — a vacant lot where the homeless gather, a strip joint, a head shop, a tattoo parlor.

Now, at last, a rezoning application has been filed that would turn the parking lot into a mid-rise luxury condominium.

This is an opportunity for positive change, yet some nearby residents strongly oppose the rezoning. They have attracted a lot of attention to this important decision by putting up signs with catchy slogans like “Save Phoenix Homes” and “Height is Blight.”

As a result many residents on both sides of this issue turned out at City Hall last month for the zoning hearing. Hats off to everyone involved for caring. Caught in the crossfire between opposing groups of residents, the city council voted unanimously to defer action until Wednesday while everyone conferred to see if any minds can be changed or compromise is possible.

I happen to be one of the residents who strongly favors this rezoning, but I understand the feelings those who don’t. Change is frightening. But it’s also the only way to make progress.

In that spirit, I would ask my neighbors to consider that this present rezoning does not involve any of the threats to our neighborhoods that we fought against together in the past.

❚ This would not harm any historic (or other) structures, given that the site is currently a parking lot.

❚ This would not increase traffic on residential streets, given that the new residents will enter and exit directly onto Thomas Road and Seventh Street.

❚ This would not drive any incompatible use deeper into a residential area. The site is directly at the corner of the two adjoining thoroughfares, as far as possible from existing residences.

❚ Perhaps most importantly, as a high quality residential development, this

will actually increase our collective strength to fight against any threats that we might face in the future.

I would also ask my neighbors to look again across the street from this site where one of their signs stands in front of a vacant building with a chain-link fence and graffiti vandalism. Isn’t that the true face of blight, rather than a new building with $1 million condominium units?

Sure, let’s work together to make sure the developer lives up to his commitments, but let’s also embrace the opportunity for positive change and prepare to welcome new neighbors into what will be a stronger, more vibrant midtown community!