Is South Phoenix Headin' South?

I love South Phoenix. I've worked and lived in South Phoenix for the last five years and I'm a native of Phoenix.

I remember the days when South Phoenix used to be considered as the black part of town (now it's mostly Hispanic - which is cool with me). I remember the days when South Phoenix used to be considered as the bad part of town. In many circles, South Phoenix is still considered as the bad part of town!

I remember the days when it was cool to cruise up and down Central Avenue and Keys Market was the primetime hangout spot! I grew up in the Moon Valley/Deer Valley area and I nearly lost my mind when I'd visit friends on the south side because black people seemed to be everywhere!

I had some great times as a kid in South Phoenix until the gang-bangin' era really got crazy in the mid-to-late 1980s. For a while after that, South Phoenix scared me to death!

But about six or seven years ago, South Phoenix became the focus of a renaissance! New, affordable homes started poppin' up everywhere and businesses slowly started investing in the community. It was cool to see all of the young black professionals who were buying homes on the south side and showing their optimism about the future. I heard whispers of plans to build a new mall, a movie theater, golf courses, restaurants and improve the schools here.

A few years ago, I can recall driving by 24th Street and Baseline Road religiously in anticipation of the Target/Fry's Shopping Center! And when Starbucks came to the south side, I was like, "What???? Have we arrived?"

But now, I'm starting to get worried about South Phoenix.

Is it me or does it seem that the rate of violent crimes are on the rise? I just read a story about a 22-year-old woman who was shot and killed in a truck not too far from my home. Almost every night on the news, I see a story or two about home invasions, shootings or armed robberies in South Phoenix.

Also, many of the walls surrounding the new neighborhoods are being defaced on a regular basis by taggers and vandals.

Lastly, it seems that the retail momentum in South Phoenix has slowed tremendously! Sure, we have new shopping centers on 51st Avenue and Baseline Road, 35th and Southern Avenues and the shopping center at 19th Avenue and Baseline Road is on the way, but is that it? I've seen a lot of fenced-off corners that seem to be earmarked for development but these lots seem to sit untouched for months!

I've talked to a few long-time residents of South Phoenix and I've been told that many of them are irritated with the growth that they've seen here! They say it's out of control and it has broken the sense of community they once had. Some complain that it's actually more difficult to drive in South Phoenix because more people live here. Overall, they're upset because they didn't have a chance to voice their opinions about all of the new development.

I've even been told that some of the crime, graffiti, vandalism and public opposition to new retail is caused by people who are sick of the "progress" in South Phoenix!

If that's true, I think that's absolutely crazy, but that kind of backlash is not a foreign concept in America! I would love to think that everyone has embraced the "renaissance" here, but obviously you can't please everyone!

I believe more of the old-school residents would be more willing to accept the growth if they had a chance to share their thoughts in townhalls with potential business owners and home builders. I had the opportunity to attend a few community meetings while I was a newspaper reporter and South Phoenix has been home to some of the most spirited discussions I've ever seen!

Overall, I have great hopes for South Phoenix and there are many positive and intriguing aspects to MY side of town, but my eyes are not as wide open as they were a few years ago.

Comments

[YBP]

I work in public safety in the East Valley and trust that the crime here is out of control. Many in the media would have you to believe otherwise though.

The development projects you speak of are actually quite significant. Most neighborhoods in the Valley don't have that much going on.

The thing is SoPho is diverse, so you're going to have a bit of everything - hate and support. But I really believe the support will triumph.