Whats Up In Urban Living ?

Tempe - The City of Tempe reports having the best quarter for building activity ever for the fiscal year.  This is mostly due to the new permits drawn for student housing and other construction projects along Apache Boulevard.

This week WeKnowUrban added a new link on its Tempe page that shows all foreclosure, short sale, and bank owned high rise and loft properties in Tempe.

Borders Books on Tempe Mill Avenue is about to close but Dunkin' Donuts, several yogurt shops, a Vietnamese restaurant and Campus Scooters all recently openend on Mill.

Construction of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Hayden Ferry Lakeside multi use project at Mill Avenue and Tempe Town Lake has been postponed until 2010.

The City of Tempe is considering adding streetcars to the city's transportation system to link South Tempe and Chandler to the new light rail system.  The idea right now is to run streetcars down Mill Avenue to Southern, and then east to Chandler.  The City of Chandler is looking into ways to find funding to tie into any line and extend it to Chandler Mall.  Since the federal government requires a two year study of all options before it will consider contributing funds to any such project, expect the possibility of many changes to the plan as it stands today.

Phoenix - Metro light rail will run trains later than normal hours to accomodate Phoenix Sun's fans leaving tonight's game which starts at 8:30 pm.

Nothing scientific but I truly believe that there are significantly more people walking around downtown Phoenix since the light rail opened.  Also, we are getting more phone calls from folks wanting to buy or rent along the light rail.  I have long said that the light rail will provide a focal point for the investment of time, money and energy.  I believe that we are beginning to see this come to fruition.

Check out China Chile Restaurant at 3rd Street just south of Osborn Road.  It has very tasty food at great prices.

CityNorth suffers potential major blow when an appeals court judge ruled that a $94 million subsidy from the City of Phoenix is unconsitutional.  CityNorth, located at 56th Street just north of the 101 (south side of Desert Ridge) is a huge mixed use project opening at an absolutely horrible time.  Given the horrible market we wonder what losing the $94 million truly means?

Scottsdale - Completion of X (Ten) Wine Lofts on Osborn Road just west of Scottsdale Road has been stalled.  The lender, Mortgages Ltd, and the developer, Grace Communities, are fighting http://www.azcentral.com/realestate/articles/2008/12/26/20081226biz-sr-realestate1227.html.  The article reports that deposits for 64 condos have been returned to the buyers.  In light of the current market we would expect the fight to drag on and on.  After all, wouldn't you rather finish a building and sell it in a couple years rather than today?

Looking for high rise and loft condo foreclosures, short sales and bank owned properties in Scottsdale?  Go to the new MLS filter on the Scottsdale page of WeKnowUrban.  There are some great deals but the best go fast so check back often or call WeKnowUrban.