Evans Churchill neighborhood
Wire | Evans Churchill to Host Interesting Interiors Tour
Posted on 10/30/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
DPJ’s Wire series delivers news and information straight from the source without translation.
Evans Churchill Neighborhood to host 2nd Annual Interesting Interiors Tour, November 3
The Evans Churchill Community Association will hold its 2nd Annual Interesting Interiors Tour featuring more than a dozen neighborhood landmarks, businesses, and residences in Downtown Phoenix’s Evans Churchill Neighborhood on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tour attendees will have the opportunity to take a self-guided tour discovering the interiors of commercial and residential properties in the neighborhood including the historic Louis Emerson and Brockway houses, Monorchid, Combine studio, and 300M, among others. Attendees are encouraged to take the tour then head over to the Roosevelt Row Pie Social on Second and Roosevelt Streets to enjoy the 2 free tastings they receive with each Interesting Interiors Tour ticket purchase.
Biking and walking tour routes will be available so everyone is encouraged to “go green” as they tour the neighborhood. For more information about the event, visit evanschurchill.org. Tour tickets may be purchased online at evanschurchill.eventbrite.com or the day of the tour at MADE Art Boutique, 922 N. 5th St.
Admission is $10 adults, $8 for seniors and students (with valid ID), and free for children six years and younger. All proceeds from the tour will benefit the Evans Churchill Neighborhood Association. Additional information about the Roosevelt Row Pie Social is available at http://www.rooseveltrow.org
About Evans Churchill Neighborhood
Evans Churchill is one of the most exciting neighborhoods in Arizona. This mixed-use, mixed-density area is a truly urban neighborhood that combines history, award-winning restaurants and shops, and some of the finest living options in a walkable area of downtown Phoenix. The neighborhood is part of the Roosevelt Row Arts District and includes amenities such as the Phoenix Public Market, a portion of Phoenix Biomedical Campus, a portion of Arizona State University’s downtown campus, and one of the busiest stops along METRO Light Rail. For more information about the neighborhood, visit http://www.evanschurchill.org
Roosevelt’s Tipping Point?
Posted on 10/04/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
There were plenty of positive statements made at yesterday’s topping off ceremony for Roosevelt Point, at 455 N. 3rd Street. Let’s face it, when it comes to downtown there have been a lot of good things said in the past few years.
But no positive statement about downtown growth could outshine what stood as the backdrop to the celebration.
In the lot across from Bliss/ReBAR, the host venue, rises the seven-story structure that will soon be home to 600 new residents. The scale of it, and the projected impact, is downright impressive.
The development team of Roosevelt Point saw the opportunity presented by this formerly vacant lot, talked to the people they needed to talk to, and are on their way to forever changing this important gateway to downtown.
The project completion date is set for July 2013. Download the Roosevelt Point Fact Sheet, think about how to keep the momentum rolling, and read on to hear what those involved had to say.
Roosevelt looking up.
We’ve been meeting with the residential neighborhood, folks from the Evans Churchill Neighborhood as well as the Roosevelt Row Merchants Association and the Community Development Corporation, to really try to integrate what we’re doing with their vision for the community. Where our visions really align, what’s critical to make any community a lively place, is to get more people to live there. I think for the most part we’ve been able to accommodate a shared vision.
I think as more young people live here it becomes a more vibrant, exciting, happening place. First Fridays has been a really big success. We’re really thrilled to be at the heart of that. We’re at the epicenter of all that activity.
Even though our project is changing this neighborhood. I hope it doesn’t change it too much, because that’s really the lifeblood of what makes it unique. And I think that should attract people from all over the Valley to come and experience the restaurants, the galleries, the entertainment, the things going on downtown. – Steven R. Schnoor, Senior Vice President/Regional Director for Concord Eastridge
Mike Oleskow and Mark Howard take in the south view. Photo courtesy of Roosevelt Point.
There is going to be 600 more people here next year. It’s going to be amazing. The [Roosevelt Row Chile Pepper] festival this past weekend? There were about 2,000 people. How many more people will there be [next year]? We’re excited. – Kevin Rille, President of the Evans Churchill Neighborhood Association
This is a game-changer. It changes forever the view as you come into downtown on 3rd Street. Instead of seeing a bunch vacant land you’re seeing this beautiful seven-story building. It gives you a whole different mindset of what the downtown is, and can be. - Don Keuth, President of Phoenix Community Alliance
I think the Roosevelt Point project is going to meet a demand for more housing in downtown. With all the additional people moving downtown it’s going to create an additional demand for amenities. So people will need more options for shopping or boutique type stores, more restaurants, and services. With all the investment that has occurred over the past decade, a lot of people may say we’re done investing in downtown. I will tell you that we’re not done. There’s still a lot left to do – a lot of opportunities to invest and build downtown. – John Chan, Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Phoenix
Songbird Coffee & Tea House Owners Busy Building Nest
Posted on 5/17/12 by DPJ Staff » 1 Comment
As you drive by the monOrchid building on Roosevelt St. you may notice one more bird painted on the exterior wall. That’s the logo of the Songbird Coffee & Tea House, which is just a few short weeks away from opening its doors on a planned opening date of Monday, June 18.
While owners Jonathan and Erin Westgate Carroll work on the usual build-out and permitting process, and the fun headaches that come with that, let’s look ahead and get a glimpse of their vision for this re-activated space.
Songbird owners Jonathan and Erin Westgate Carroll survey their space at monOrchid.
Community Focus
Songbird will be located at 214 East Roosevelt St. and the Carrolls are “committed to making Roosevelt Row and the surrounding areas the most talked about coffee community in the state of Arizona.” [Worth noting: if you want to stroll to Songbird without stepping outside, contact monOrchid for office or studio space.]
Competition or Synergy?
With Fair Trade Cafe, GIANT Coffee, Royal Coffee Bar and JoBot Coffee Shop nearby, Songbird will be the fifth coffee business within a half-mile radius. The owners view their coffee spot as one more business contributing to the Roosevelt Row community.
Menu Offerings
With a planned selection of coffee, tea, pastries and burritos, Songbird seems set on satisfying a variety of appetites and palates.
The Atmosphere
“Casual and contemporary with an accent of industrial and modern décor throughout.” Plenty of electrical outlets are promised as is free Wi-Fi.
Anything goes. An eclectic mix of seating, including bar stools made by Erin's father, will help add to the relaxing vibe.
Programming
They are planning to take advantage of the open gallery space in monOrchid, offering free movie nights, acoustic music shows of all genres, art displays and poetry readings on random nights. Games and books will be on display/located on the bookshelf for customers.
Timeline and Schedule
Says Carroll, “We’re hoping to have our grand opening Monday, June 18. Thus far, we’re on schedule, but the 18th is tentative depending on [the permits, etc.].” Hours will be 7 a.m. 7 p.m. to start. Carroll says they will chart the first few weeks to a month and then fluctuate hours based on the results. As with any local business, if we want them to keep those hours, we will have to do your part and go.
Photos by Esther Martinez courtesy of Songbird.
If you go
What: Songbird Coffee & Tea House
Where: monOrchid, 214 E. Roosevelt, in the Evans Churchill Neighborhood
When: Scheduled to open Monday, June 18
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to start
More Information: Visit Facebook
Weekend Fun on Grand Ave and Beyond
Posted on 10/21/11 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
(Jill Bernstein and Courtney McCune contributed to this article.)
Here is the rundown of activity that will get your feet strolling Downtown Phoenix streets this weekend.
Third Annual Grand Avenue Festival
The creative spirit will be alive and kickin’ on Saturday, October 22 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., when art galleries, local businesses, vendors, and musicians will be out en masse to celebrate neighborhood sustainability on Grand Avenue.
Featured events of the day include the ReDapt Commercial Building Tour, which will visit some of the neighborhood’s adaptive reuse projects and historic buildings; tours of Oasis on Grand, an old motel that has been remodeled and reborn as colorful live/work/retail spaces for artists; and the Grand Mural Love Map, which will be available for self-guided tours of the Grand Avenue murals.
Other highlights include the Recycled Rubbish and the Local Boutiques Fashion Shows and the always popular Hanging Gardens & Woven Fences & Trashy Sculpture show. In addition, local Latino and Indigenous arts organization, CALACA, will celebrate the upcoming Day of the Dead with their “Dia de los Muertos Exchange Project” exhibit at Bragg’s Pie Factory. Mobile food vendors, including Chichi’s Tacos will be on hand to keep you fortified for the day.
Bike riding to the festival is encouraged! Street parking is free along Grand Avenue between Van Buren and Roosevelt. Additional free parking is available in the lot just south of Bragg’s Pie Factory, at Grand and McKinley, and in the lot next to Oasis on Grand at 15th Avenue and Grand. Find out more about all of the Grand Avenue Arts Festival events.
First Annual Evans Churchill Interesting Interiors Tour
Earlier in the day, witness downtowners in their natural habitat and take a peek behind the doors of some of the coolest pads in the Evans Churchill neighborhood, from urban loft apartments to cozy historic bungalows. Tours will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Go “green” and tour the neighborhood on Ollie the Trolley, pedicab, bicycle, or foot. Mile High Challenge will create a special walking tour map for the event. Tickets are available online or the day of the tour at MADE Art Boutique, 922 N. 5th St., and the Phoenix Public Market, 14 E. Pierce St. Admission is $10 adults, $8 for seniors and students (with valid ID), and free for children six years and younger. Receive $1 off the ticket price by bringing a canned food item to the event to benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank. Proceeds from the tour will benefit public improvements in the Evans Churchill neighborhood.
Arizona Humanities Festival
Downtown’s Civic Space Park (easy to access by light rail!) will be home to a day-long celebration of the diverse cultures that surround us and will include presentations of Chinese Lion Dancing, Ballet Folklorico, the history of Hip Hop, Corridos in Arizona, Taiko Drumming, FourWheelWarPony (a film about an Apache skateboard team), and much more. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free to the public. Get the full program and download a parking map.
First Annual Phoenix Food Truck Festival
Move on from drool-worthy homes and culture to drool-worthy food at the Phoenix Food Truck Festival, taking place at the A.R.T.S. market space on Roosevelt Row. Celebrate the mobile cuisine revolution by sampling the goods from over 30 different food trucks. Hosted by Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation (CDC) and the Phoenix Street Food Coalition, this event will bring together the valley’s finest fare on wheels along with a beer and wine garden and live music. The festival runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., tickets are $30. Event info at phxstreetfood.org.
Fifth Annual Downtown Phoenix Pub Crawl
Finish the night with “One Crawl to Rule Them All” visiting some of Downtown Phoenix’s most beloved bars, saloons, pubs, lounges, clubs and restaurants from 9 pm to 3 am. Spend the night collecting beads from various Crawl stops and cap your evening with a post-Crawl breakfast and dance party at Steve’s Greenhouse Grill ($6.95 + gratuity). Giveaways for all who make it to the finish line! The Crawl starts at 9 p.m. with Trolley buses available until 2 a.m. to move participants from pub to pub. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the Crawl.
Heard Museum Annual Benefit Gala – Moondance
Performances by Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard will cap an evening of cowboy boots and bolo ties as the Heard honors longtime museum trustee and scholar Carol Ann Mackay and her husband Harvey Mackay, author, Arizona Republic columnist and renowned businessman. Food for the event will be presented by Arizona Taste Fine Catering in collaboration with renowned Barrio Café chef Silvana Saloido Esparza. Slap on your spurs and join the fun to help provide critical funding to meet the Heard Museum’s educational mission.
