Growth pattern crippled Phoenix

[phantom power]

On the same streets where stranded homeowners watch home values plummet, builders can't sell the vacant homes next door. Businesses that did move in are struggling. Others have decided not to come. Cities and towns that counted on tax revenue from new residents and business have seen their budget plans fall apart.

(...)

Another Goodyear shopping center, on Estrella Parkway, has only one tenant, a pizza parlor that opened last year. The center sits near hundreds of new homes. The next closest place to shop and eat is a few miles away along Interstate 10.

Karen Madison lives in the neighborhood. She shares a car with her husband, who works during the day.

"I feel stranded most days because there's nothing close enough for me to walk to," said Madison, who sometimes walks a few miles, pushing her daughter in a stroller, to fill prescriptions. "We were so excited when we saw the shopping center go up just a few blocks away. But there's nothing there."

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/02/15/20090215hecon-neighborhoods0215.html

[tanyev]

1. Maybe Cindy will give them a plane ride to the grocery store.

[leftofthedial]

2. I've always thought that Houston is the worst city in America,

but Phoenix is truly a nightmare--the very definition of unsustainable sprawl.

[hatrack]

3. And for all you do, P.P. . . .

This heart's for YOU!

:hi:

[phantom power]

4. you are too kind...

If quality were measured by sarcasm, I might be the most productive net citizen that ever lived.

[kestrel91316]

6. I dunno, I think I give you a run for your money in that contest,

just mostly in GD and GDP.

[phantom power]

8. The field *is* very competitive.

[joshcryer]

17. I think I know who gave me a heart now... :)

I haven't posted in awhile but my first post was in this subforum and next time I logged in I had a heart!

If it wasn't you, thanks to whoevever it was. It made my night.

[Kali]

5. Shoulda left it in ag.

(Pre)history repeats.

[dbackjon]

7. Why? Agriculture wastes even more water.

[Kali]

9. Wastes?

I sure would rather "waste" water growing food than stucco boxes, golf courses, and artificial lakes.

[dbackjon]

10. Yes, wastes

Growing government-priced supported "crops" like hay, to feed to government-price supported beef and milk.

[Kali]

12. um NO (and how would that be a "waste" anyway?)

I raise beef cattle (on range, not fed hay or any other crop) and don't get no supports here. Can you please give me some info on where I can sign up?

The only "support" hay gets in AZ that I know of would be indirectly in funding for the original dams for irrigation. Not exactly a check in the mail.

Beyond that, price supports for ag benefit the consumer too, so there is a whole 'nother discussion there.

[tinrobot]

11. I grew up in Phoenix

It was already too big for itself when I left in the 1980s...

Kind of sad to see all that beautiful desert plowed over for such a massive real estate boondoggle.

[phantom power]

13. We definitely embraced quantity over quality.

Now we are about to pay the piper.

[tinrobot]

14. I still like Central Phoenix

It's one of the few areas with real neighborhoods, character, and a decent quality of life.

[depakid]

15. Not sure how far ordinary people can actually walk without getting heatstroke

At least during the day.

[phantom power]

16. I have a prediction about that...

local culture gravitates back to the early-morning/siesta/late-evening social model.

[depakid]

18. Works in Mexico

It's always impressive how active the towns and cities are in the evening.

Contrast that with Australia, where most things shut down at or around 5:00- or 4:30 on Saturdays. Bizarre going to a mall and having the shops shut down at 4:30.