Chandler Council addresses future of one downtown area
Courtesy of City of Chandler
This diagram shows “option No. 4,” from an April 24 work session presentation. It’s the preferred realignment of Washington Street through the Southside Village neighborhood in downtown Chandler.
Chandler City Council members are still waiting on more information before making more decisions about changes to a downtown-area neighborhood.
An April 24 study session led to at least one informal decision being made in the process.
Council favored one of four options presented for planned modifications to the Washington Street alignment in downtown’s Southside Village. Option No. 4, as presented by Kim Moyers, Chandler’s cultural development director, was the council’s stated preferred option for how Washington Street will be extended through the neighborhood and connected with Pecos Road.
Council member Angel Encinas, who has attended community meetings in which resident input was obtained, led the way by saying that he leans toward what’s called option No. 4.
“I realize we might lose a little housing by going with that alignment, but how much, really?” Encinas asked rhetorically. “I’m confident our staff can make something very creative out of that.”
The process of realigning and building out more of Southside Village has been a priority, off and on, for the city since the mid-2000s. A 2006 study showed an “S-curve” alignment to finish Washington Street was preferred.
After a South Arizona Area Plan was completed around 2007, the recession and housing / construction crash of the next few years slowed such urban redevelopment nationwide.
The current wave of activity around the area began around 2021. In 2022, Council approved Southside Village Neighborhood as the first Historic Conservation District.
Other area enhancements from the past five years or so include the completion of the Zora Folley mural and museum exhibit, Harris Park improvements, neighborhood envisioning events, new historic markers, continued engagement and support for the nonprofit serving the neighborhood and funding Habitat for Humanity homes and CDBG housing rehabilitation projects, according to a staff report.
Moyers said of the 72 people who attended a community meeting, option No. 4 was the favorite, though not overwhelmingly.
Moyers said staff can now begin studying the No. 4 route and what ways that will help develop the neighborhood. Staff is also awaiting completion of a study by The Salvation Army, which owns a Saragosa Street building and property that will likely be a major factor in the Washington Street realignment.
Staff said while some commercial development could come out of the Washington Street alignment and redevelopment of Southside Village, the priority is to create “middle housing” that’s akin to townhomes or other affordable single homes that young families can afford to buy or rent.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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