Tapestry and Willo

For those who are keeping track of life along Central Avenue, especially the west side of that street between McDowell and Thomas Roads, one thing is obvious: Tapestry on Central and the Willo Historic District are not on speaking terms. They recognize that the other exists, but the latter does not make life easy for the former. I say this as a resident/owner of the former.

First, some history. If you look at Tapestry on Central from either the north or the south, you'll notice that the building tapers off on the west end of the building. This was not for architectural interest originally by the designer/developer, but because Willo insisted that the development was of a certain height at certain distances. The gates installed on all streets - including Encanto Boulevard (the half-mile street between McDowell and Thomas) - were because of increased development on and adjacent to Central Avenue, mainly Tapestry on Central. The gates, along the equivalent of 1st Avenue, separate Willo from Central Avenue.

I should admit, I am partial to the interest of Tapestry because I am a resident and an owner of this community. I am partial to the downtown area and the success of the areas around the downtown area. I an partial to Central Avenue because it is the main thoroughfare of Phoenix and it is a key area for development for Phoenix. The new METRO Light Rail travels along Central Avenue for over four (4) miles.

So here's what's up with Willo. I should explain that there are two entities in play here for Willo: the Willo Neighborhood Association and the Willo Historic District (or whatever their formal names are). The Willo Neighborhood Association, according to its bylaws, is defined as the area from Central Avenue to Seventh Avenue from east to west and McDowell Road to Thomas Road north to south (Willo bylaws, 15 March 2007). The Historic District's boundaries are historic houses within the Neighborhood Association's general boundaries. It has been proposed that the boundaries of the Neighborhood Association be changed to that of the Historic District, thus eliminating Tapestry from the Neighborhood Association.

This presents many options. Tapestry has 280 units, which is the same as 280 houses within Willo. It is a significant block of votes and Tapestry people are more inclined to mobilize for issues than Willo. Willo have under 1,000 houses, and are not inclined to mobilize to the degree a condominium community is. Anyway, Tapestry has a significant voting block. If Tapestry's out, then the interests of Willo become the control of Willo alone. Neighbors to Willo would, in effect, have little to no influence on Willo policy.

As I've mentioned before, there are residents of Willo who have strong feelings against Tapestry. We are seen as some progressive entity that is out of touch with their (Willo Historic District's) views. In fact, we are just like them - civic leaders and policemen, teachers and educators, and just good people. To exclude a group of people (namely Tapestry) from Willo because we have different ideas on what's best for Willo and the neighborhood is not right.

There's a meeting on this Thursday (15 May) at 6:30pm at the Fairfield Inn on Central and Wilshire. I'm going to that so I'll let you know what's up.

Cheers - EJ